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126
Vestry to appoint a special Committee to consider th
subject. The following report was presented to the Vestry,
and adopted, on the 12th November:—
Your Committee have to report that as regards the administration
of local affairs in St. James's, there appears to be no pressing need of
amending legislation. As. however, legislation is apparently imminent
owing to the diversity of practice in many parts of the Metropolis,
advantage might be taken of the opportunity to endeavou to
more completely consolidate the administration of municipal business
in this as well as other Parishes, and your Committee therefore
submit for the consideration of the Vestry the following scheme which
they have prepared.
In submitting this scheme your Committee desire to most strongly
affirm their deliberate and mature opinion that the autonomy of the
Parish should not be interfered with. Apart from historical associations,
the parishioners at present take an active and intelligent interest
in local questions, the various branches of administration, sanitary,,
and otherwise, have been devised and are well adapted to the peculiar
circumstances of the locality, and your Committee are convinced
that any change in the area of municipal administration would be
attended by an increased expenditure and a diminished interest in
local concerns. The Parish of St. James's, it may be remarked, is both
as regards population and rateable value, the most important in the
Borough of Strand, and is recognised as such by the Public Statutes
belonging to the Borough being placed in the custody of the Vestry
Clerk.
It will be observed that as regards this Parish the principal alterations
in local government, if the scheme becomes law, would be as
follows : —
1. The Vestry, Churchwardens, and Overseers would be superseded
by a District Council.
2. The District Council, in addition to all the duties now performed
by the Yestry would be responsible for the preparation of the