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in believing that the Government are most anxious to
consider the views and benefit by the experience of
those who have been engaged in the useful labours of
local administration. I can assure you that personally
I shall feel extremely grateful for any assistance of the
kind which might be offered to me.
I remain, yours faithfully,
W. Store, Esq. W. Y. HAECOUET."
The following is the letter referred to:—
" 3, Lambert Road, Brixton Eise,
February 2nd, 1883.
Dear Sir,
I read in a daily paper the other day that you
were giving due weight to information and suggestions
received from many quarters in the preparation of the
Bill. It was recently reported that a District Board
of Works (Fulham) had come to the conclusion that
the time had arrived for taking action, not at all in
opposition to the proposed change, but really in support
of it, by obtaining from those qualified to speak from
knowledge and experience an expression of opinion on
the most important question of detail involved—viz.,
the best means of developing the municipal spirit in
administrative areas. The idea seemed to be that the
Ministry would rather receive such practical suggestions
before introducing the Bill than deal with them in the
shape of criticisms upon its provisions. Therefore it
was determined to issue invitations to a conference.
To-day I read that a Yestry (Clerkenwell) has declined
the invitation. One reason given for doing so is that
the Ministry will not be influenced by, or pay attention
to, the opinions or suggestions of any of those who
have borne the burden of local administration. My
belief is that the Ministry would deem it unfortunate