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(6) Preserving, as far as possible, freedom from adulteration
in articles of food and medicine
(7) Levying and collecting the rates, from which
large and, unfortunately, rapidly increasing
sums are paid annually to authorities entirely
independent of local control.
Upon the last-mentioned point it may be here observed
that there has been a growing tendency for some years to
include in the local rates various sums for Metropolitan
purposes. Thus since the year 1855 the Vestry have at
different times been required by Parliament to provide
funds for—(a) Main Drainage; (b) Fire Brigade; (c)
Elementary Education; (d) Thames Bridges—purchase,
maintenance, and rebuilding; (e) Artizans' Dwellings, and
other purposes. The extent to which this operates upon
local rates will be seen on reference to the statement of
moneys raised with the parochial rates for metropolitan
purposes, which is given on page 42.
THE ELECTION OF VESTRYMEN AND AUDITORS
OF ACCOUNTS
Was held on Thursday, the 21st, and Friday, the 22nd days
of May, the places appointed for the purposes being—Pall
Mall Ward, Willis's Rooms, King Street; Church Ward,
Vestry Hall. Piccadilly; Golden Square Ward, Craven Hall
Marshall Street; and Great Marlborough Ward, Board
Room, Poland Street.
The total expense of conducting the elections, including a
poll in two of the Wards, amounted to £10 12s. 1d., and an
order for the payment of this sum from the Poor Rate was
made by the Vestry in accordance with the statute.
B 2