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draftsman of the Act—although, after the first election, a
rating qualification was imperatively demanded for vestrymen
and members of boards of works, none was required for a seat
on the Metropolitan Board. The "person" or persons
chosen might be strangers or non-residents. This central
Board (inclusive of the chairman) consisted of forty-seven
members. Six of the larger parishes returned two members
each; the lesser parishes and districts one only. The St.
Saviour's district returned one member. The appointment
was triennial.
In order to defray the expenses of the execution of tho
Acts entrusted to them to administer, the Vestries were
authorised to make and levy rates upon the inhabitants, and
the district boards were empowered to issue precepts addressed
to the Overseers of the Poor of their several parishes. The
Metropolitan Board of Works was in like manner authorised
to issue precepts, these being addressed to the several vestries
and district boards. This process continued until the year
1888, when the Metropolitan Board was abolished and superseded
by the London County Council. The precepts of the
latter body are addressed to the Boards of Guardians, and the
district board is no longer the intermediary for raising the
moneys required by the central authority.
The first meeting of the St. Saviour's District Board of
Works was held on the 5th December, 1855, in tho Vestry
Room of the Parish of Christchurch, and afterwards, by
adjournment, at the Committee Room, No. 8, Emerson Street,
belonging to the Churchwardens of St. Saviour's. These premises
were leased to the Clink Commissioners in the year 1839,
and have ever since the establishment of the Board been rented by
it and used as its offices, the same being now held on a yearly
tenancy under an agreement, the original lease having expired.
At a special meeting of the Board held on the 12th December,.
1855, Mr. (afterwards Sir) John Thwaites,—a St. Saviour's
member having business premises in Wellington Street (now
the Borough High Street)—was chosen to be its representative
on the Metropolitan Board of Works.* Shortly afterwards
officers were appointed, viz.,—Mr. Herbert Sturmy, Solicitor
and Vestry Clerk of St. Saviour's, to be Clerk, Mr. John
*Mr. Thwaites was also elected a representative member for the Greenwich
District, and attended in the dual capacity for a short time until he was
elected the Chairman of the Metropolitan Board.