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(2)
A close investigation of the duties of the Officers having been made by a Committee specially appointed
for that purpose, they recommended a redistribution of such duties, which was adopted, and it is confidently
expected that the efficiency of the staff will be thereby increased.
A Bill for the amendment of the Metropolis Local Management Act having been again introduced to
Parliament by the Metropolitan Board of Works, this Board carefully considered the several clauses contained
therein and determined upon suggesting the omission of some and modification of others of them,
as well as the insertion of fresh ones.
The clauses objected to are those seeking a fresh apportionment of the debts and liabilities of the late
Metropolitan Commissioners of Sewers and of the Loan from the Clergy Mutual Assurance Society, upon
the grouud that the parishes of Christchurch and St Saviour have contributed more money in Sewer rates
than the amount expended within those parishes, and that such proposed clauses are deviations from the
former apportionment acted upon since the formation of the Metropolitan Board.
Certain other clauses have been also objected to as vesting the Metropolitan Board with too peremptory
powers.
Among the fresh clauses suggested by this Board may be principally noticed those—
For the assessment of, and protection against, dilapidated houses, &c.
For providing Rooms for the reception of the Dead, and thus preventing their retention in the
dwellings of the poor to the danger of persons obliged to occupy the same rooms.
For dispensing with Parish Engines and payment of Fire Rewards, and for the establishment of
Fire Escapes.
For providing Rooms for the holding of Coroner's Inquests instead of the same being held at Public
Houses.
For the infliction of Fines upon Scavengers or their servants, &c., for sweeping soil, &c. into the
Sewers.
And for supplying casual vacancies in the Vestry as such vacancies occur instead of at the annual
election of Vestrymen. '
A Deputation, appointed by this Board, waited upon the Metropolitan Board of Works to support the
above suggestions, but the memorial embodying the same having been simply received and ordered to be
entered upon the minutes, it has been thought right to present a petition against the Bill in order to afford
the Board the opportunity of attending the Select Committee to whom the Bill is referred, and endeavourting
to effect the above alterations.
The attendance Lists having been circulated throughout the District, it will be seen that 27 general and
special Board Meetings, 39 Paving Committee, 29 Sewers Committee, 33 Finance Committee, 21 Sanitary
Committee, and 12 General Purposes Committee Meetings, have been held during the year; and that this
Board's esteemed Representative at the Central Board, Mr. Charles Harris, has attended 52 General and
64 Committee Meetings during the same period, and the thanks of the Board have been tendered him
therefore.