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4
attention from the Board and from the Committee to whom it was referred,
the latter having also visited the locality of the proposed improvement, and
I am now directed to inform you that, looking to all the circumstances, the
Board are of opinion that the improvement is not of such a character as
would justify them in acceding to the prayer of the memorial, viz., to carry
out the work as a metropolitan improvement, and to pay the whole cost.
I am, Dear Sir, yours faithfully,
JOHN POLLABD, Clerk of the Board.
H. Sturmy, Esq., Clerk,
St. Saviour's District Board of Works."
In consequence of the Metropolitan Board of "Works declining to
effect the widening fit the cost of the Metropolis, it became 11 serious
question whether the two District Boards should themselves carry
out the work as a local improvement, aided by a contribution from the
Metropolitan Board; but after due deliberation, and several conferences
with the St. Olave's Board on the subject, this Board passed
an unanimous resolution that the proposed widening must be considered
a metropolitan improvement, that if effected, it ought to be
carried out wholly at the cost of the Metropolitan Board, and therefore
this Board would not be justified in expending any considerable
amount of money upon tlio same.
From the Medical Officer's Report, appended hereunto, it will be
seen that the Board have deferred for the present the taking of
proceedings under the Artizans' and Labourers' Dwellings Act,
owing to a difficulty caused bv the 31st section of the Act providing
that all expenses incurred under it shall be defrayed out of a
" Special Local Bate," to be made by the Board or Vestry. It
may here be observed that the duty of making and collecting rates
is one which, in the case of a District Board, is vested in the
Overseers of the Poor, the funds required by the Board being
derivable by Precepts to the Overseers of the Poor, and therefore
the process of making and levying a rate is foreign to a District
Board of Works. Now, in the St. Saviour's District, the dwellinghouses
affected by the Act are few in number, consequently the
expenses under it could only be trifling, while the cost of a special
rate would be excessive in proportion—indeed the cost might be
greater than the sum actually required for obtaining the removal
of the houses. Under these circumstances, the Board thought it
desirable to defer taking proceedings under the Act, and endeavour
to obtain an amendment of the clause, so as to make the expenses
payable out of the general funds, for which purpose they have been
in communication with the promoters of the Bill, and have also
petitioned both Houses of Parliament.
The Metropolitan Board of Works, in compliance with the
application of this Board, have recently constructed a pipe sewer
along Bankside, so as to intercept the drainage of the premises in
that thoroughfare, and prevent the sewage thereof flowing into
the Thames.
artizans' and
Labourers'
welliugs Act,
Sewer
Bankside