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energy he showed in prosecuting his enquiries, that the Parish
of St. James has become enriched by a participation in the
ancient Charities of the Mother Parish, St. Martin-in-theFields.
The eminent services rendered by Mr. Crane in this matter
were recognized by the Vestry on the 7th October, when a
formal vote of thanks was unanimously passed, and a copy
thereof ordered to be engrossed on vellum, given under the
Common Seal of the Vestry, and presented to Mr. Crane.
THE VESTRY,
As constituted by the Metropolis Local Management Act,
1855, consists of 48 elected and three ex-officio Members. It
superseded an elected Vestry acting under the provisions of
the statute 1 & 2 William IV., cap. 60, which was adopted
by the ratepayers of St. James's on the 6th April, 1832. All
the powers of the former Vestry and of the Paving Commissioners
acting under Local Acts, as well as some of the
functions of the Commissioners of Sewers, were transferred
to the re-constituted Vestry.
An Act was passed in the year 1858 relative to the main
drainage of the Metropolis, by which the Vestry, as the
rating authority of the Parish, were required to meet precepts
of the Metropolitan Board of Works for a Main Drainage
Rate not to exceed 3d. in the pound per annum.
In 1862 the powers of the Vestry were enlarged by the
Metropolis Local Management Amendment Act, and in the
following year turnpike roads in the Metropolis were transferred
from Commissioners, who had power to levy tolls upon
horses and other animals and vehicles, to the Local Authorities,
whose expenses are defrayed from the rates.