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cost of such improvements should fall upon the
owners who materially benefit thereby, is to be
commended, the principle being a fair and just one,
and requesting the Government to initiate legislation
upon this subject, with a view of relieving the
over-burdened taxpayers of the Metropolis, the occupiers
having at present to pay more than their
fair share of the costs of improvements, the owners,
who benefit the most, escaping their fair share.
The Vestry passed a resolution agreeing with the
principle contained in such letter.
Subsequently letters were received from the
Vestry of St. George, Hanover Square, and the
St. Olave's District Board of Works, forwarding
resolutions that in their opinion the ground rent
ought to be taxed as well as the building rent, and
that the revenue derived from this source should
be devoted to the relief of local rates. The Vestry
have referred the subject to the Assessment Committee
for consideration, but they had not reported
thereon within the period embraced by this report.
Election of Guardians.—The Vestry have
considered a communication from the Vestry of
St. Luke's, forwarding resolution that, in their
opinion, the existing mode of election of members
of Boards of Guardians is not consonant with the
spirit of the age; is open to the commission of
grave irregularities, and should be amended so as
to render it analogous to the system adopted in the
County Council Elections, the Guardians being
elected for a term of three years. This Vestry
agreed with the views expressed in such communication.
Foreign Pauper Immigration.—On the receipt
of a letter, dated 2nd July, from the Vestry