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104
SCHOOL BOARD FOR LONDON.
The still increasing cost of the School Board has naturally
engaged much of the attention of the Rating Authorities,
who are required by law to raise with their rates
whatever sum the Board may call for.
In the month of April the Vestry appointed three of
their members to attend a Conference convened by the
Vestry of Kensington, and acting upon a resolution adopted
at the Conference, subsequently memorialized Her Majesty's
Government for an amendment in the law to limit the rate
to be levied by the School Board, and to apply various
educational endowments in the metropolis in aid of the
School Board rate. The Government, however, have not
seen their way to take any action in the matter.
In the month of May, the Vestry of Kensington brought
under the notice of the Vestry certain alleged irregularities
with regard to the acquisition of sites and erection of
buildings by the London School Board. Deeming it of
great importance that a public body expending nearly two
millions of public money a year should not rest under any
suspicion, the Vestry, without endorsing the allegations,
urged upon the Government the desirability of a Royal
Commission being appointed with ample powers to investigate
and ascertain the truth of the allegations. A Royal
Commission has, however, not yet been appointed.
The precept served upon the Vestry by the School Board
in July showed a further considerable increase, and was
consequently referred to the Finance Committee for special
report. The Committee did not feel justified in