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87
the Election throughout the Metropolis gave a small
majority of members pledged to an economical administration,
but sufficient to introduce two or three important reforms.
Without enumerating these reforms, it may be sufficient to
state that 53,000 more children are actually being taught in
the Board Schools of London now than was the case three
years ago, and that, although by the operation of the scale of
salaries the cost of the teaching staff individually is somewhat
higher, the amount of the precept on St. James's for the
present year is less than in 1885 by no less than £1,283, the
actual figures being, in 1885, £24,501 13s. 7d., and in 1888,
£23,218 7s. 5d. That the standard of instruction has
not been reduced is attested by the increased number of
schools graded as "excellent" in the meantime. Thus, as is
usually the case, economy and efficiency have gone hand in
hand. If the expenditure of the Board had not been checked
in 1885, it is probable that during the three years that
have elapsed in the interval, between £8,000 and £10,000
would, upon a moderate estimate, have been extracted from
the pockets of the ratepayers of this Parish alone, which
has been wholly saved to them. The saving to the ratepayers
of the Metropolis, as a whole, may be Computed at
something like £400,000 for the three years. Your Committee
mention these facts as fully proving the accuracy
of the views of the Vestry in 1885 with regard to the
expenditure of the Board being then unnecessarily lavish.
With regard to the action to be taken for a further reduction
of the rate, your Committee, while asserting in the most
emphatic manner that it is the duty of the Vestry, as the
body called upon to collect the School Board Kate, to
protect the Ratepayers against an excessive demand by the
Board, and asserting the right of the Vestry to critically
examine the expenditure of the Board, feel that the Vestry
cannot and ought not, in their corporate capacity, to interfere
in the election of Members of the Board. At the same
time it appears to your Committee that, in order to maintain,
and, if possible, improve the position obtained at the
last election, some organization is necessary to inform the
general body of electors on the question at issue. Your