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18
Commissioners. The Act of 1855 transferred to the Vestry,
as now constituted, not only all the powers of the earlier
Vestry, but also those relating to paving, drainage, and
lighting formerly exercised by these Commissioners. Subsequent
legislation has laid upon the Vestry various
additional duties; and, in many respects, the powers of the
Vestry within the area of its jurisdiction resemble those of
the town council of a corporate town, with further
rating powers, although as regards the police force, the
provision of markets, and the supply of gas and water, not
this Parish alone, but the metropolis at large, stands on
a different footing from provincial towns of comparatively
minor importance.
The following pages will show the diversity of subjects
coming within the purview of the Vestry, but it may be
convenient here to enumerate the more important functions
of that body, viz.:—
(1) Paving, cleansing, watering, and lighting the
public streets.
(2) Constructing, maintaining, and cleansing loca]
sewers, public conveniences, &c.
(3) Supervising the construction, alteration, and
amendment of the drains and sanitary arrangements
of dwelling-houses and other buildings.
(4) Preventing, removing, and abating nuisances
injurious to health, disinfecting after sickness,
&c.
(5) Regulating projections into the public streets, and
annoyances of various kinds.