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82
removal of prisoners, and the enormous inconvenience which
would be caused to Parishioners by requiring their attendance
as prosecutors or witnesses at an overworked Court some
distance away, the Vestry unanimously decided to make
strong representations to the Home Secretary against the
proposal.
As soon as the proposal to abolish the Court became
generally known in the neighbourhood, many of the leading
tradesmen joined in an application to the Vestry for the use
of the Vestry Hall, for the purpose of holding a public
meeting to consider the question. At this meeting, which
was both influential and representative, it was also unanimously
agreed to strenuously oppose the contemplated
abolition of the Court.
The Home Secretary was requested to receive a deputation
on the subject, but he replied that a Departmental Committee
had the question under consideration, and representations
should be made in writing, so that they might be laid
before the Committee. The Vestry accordingly put their
views in writing, at some length, and requested to be allowed
an opportunity of considering the Report of the Committee,
in the event of their advising the abolition of the Court,
before a final decision was arrived at. No further communication
from the Home Secretary was received until July,
when, in reply to a renewed request for a copy of the Report
of the Departmental Committee, and an opportunity of
submitting observations thereon, if necessary, the Vestry
were informed that the Committee had not yet presented a
Report.
As the month of August was passing and the prorogation
of Parliament approaching without any intimation of the
intentions of the Government being made public, some
apprehension was felt that action would be taken during the