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with or without a jury, into the causes and circumstances of fires
in the Metropolis the origin of which is unknown, or which are
considered by the Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade to
be a fit subject for inquiry, and where damage exceeding £500
has resulted, the fees of such Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner
to be paid by the Metropolitan Board out of the rates.
The Westminster Board of "Works, in a circular-letter which they
forwarded, objected altogether to the principle of the Bill, alleging
that it would hamper legislation, occasion great expense, and prove
a retrograde measure. This Board, however, was of opinion that
the objects sought to be attained by the Bill were good and worthy
of support, but that the cost of the proposed inquisitions ought not
to be thrown upon the rates, and inasmuch as the Tire Insurance
Companies would derive the greatest benefit therefrom, that the
cost should be borne by them. The Bill has not yet been read
a second time.
Delegates.
The following members of this Board have been appointed
during the year to act as delegates, viz.:—On the subject of
the closing of Blackfriars Railway Station, Messrs. Back, Baxter,
Geeenwood, Haggis, and Sinclaie; to attend a conference convened
by the Vestry of St. Mary, Newington, relative to the
obstruction of the highways by costermongers and others, Messrs.
Cooksey, Goodwin, Geegoey, Henley, and Hopkins ; to wait upon
the Bridges Committee of the Metropolitan Board of Works with
reference to the tidal barriers, Bankside, Messrs. Baxteb, Back,
Haggis, Pells, and Ridee.
The returns of gross and rateable values of property in the
Metropolis, forwarded by the Clerk of the Metropolitan Asylums
Board pursuant to the Valuation of the Metropolis Act, 1869, and
which came into force on the 6th April last, show a considerable
increase in regard to the Parish of Christchurch. Taking for
comparison the returns of rateable value for the years 1885 and
1886, the results are as follows: *
Quinquennia
Valuation oi
the Metropoli
* Since the above was written an amended Return has been received from the
Asylums Board showing that alterations, consequent upon appeals, have taken
place in the assessments, and that the present values are as under:—
Christchurch—Rateable value, £104,606
St. Saviour's— „ 221,511