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James into an open space. In Jane, 1889, the
Petition for a faculty to lay out the Churchyard as
a garden and for widening the roadway of St. James'
Walk at its junction with Clerkenwell Green, by
setting back the wall of the Churchyard, was heard
by the Judge of the Consistory Court, and the
prayer of the Petition was granted subject to certain
conditions with regard to two or three of the graves
belonging to persons, who appeared and objected to
the order being made. The Vestry thus being in a
position to carry out the improvement, invited
tenders for the work, and accepted that of Mr. G.
Bell, of Tottenham Hale, for £948, and the work is
now in progress.
In regard to the laying out of the Churchyard,
the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association offered
some time ago to contribute £100 the cost,
provided the work was done within a specified time.
It was found impossible to comply with this condition;
but a further request has been made to the
Association, who have contributed £50 to the cost,
and offered to provide seats to the value of a further
£50.
The Vestry have asked the County Council to
contribute half the total cost, but have not at
present had a reply to their letter.
Spa Fields Burial Ground.—In August 1889,
the Vestry received a letter from the Parks and
Open Spaces Committee of the London County
Council asking the views of the Vestry respecting
the maintenance of Spa Fields Burial Ground as
an open space for the recreation of the public; as
to whether they think it of public use, and whether
they will bear the cost of maintenance, and if not,
whether they will contribute towards the Council
doing so, and to what extent. But as it appeared