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50
Lights on Vehicles at night.—In June a letter
was received from the Vestry of St. Mary, Newington,
expressing the opinion that all vehicles travelling
over the streets of the Metropolis after dark
should be compelled to carry a light, and stating
that they have communicated same to the Commissioner
of Police, and asking for the co-operation
of the Vestry in the matter. The Vestry decided
to co-operate in the matter as suggested, and
ordered that at the same time the attention of the
Chief Commissioner be called to the high rate of
speed at which bicycles are ridden in the streets.
The Commissioner replied, as follows:—
"With reference to your letter of the 16th instant, forwarding
a copy of a resolution passed by the Vestry as to the desirability
of all vehicles travelling over the streets of the Metropolis after
dark being compelled to carry a light, I am directed by the Commissioner
of Police of the Metropolis to acquaint you that the
only Acts bearing on this subject are the 28th and 29th Vict.,
cap. 77, sec. 3, and 51 and 52 Vict., cap. 41, sec. 85, the former
relating exclusively to locomotives and the latter to cycles. As
regards the carrying of lights by other descriptions of vehicles,
the law makes no provision; but as a matter of fact the majority
of vehicles do carry a light after dark.
"It may, perhaps, interest the Vestry to know that the great
majority of accidents caused by vehicles in the streets of London
occur in the day time. During the year 1892, 128 persons were
killed in tbe streets in the day time and 15 during the night,
while in the same year 4,806 persons were injured during the day
time and 881 at night. These figures, though they are distressing
enough, show that accidents during the night are not so
numerous as is generally thought.
Parish of the Charterhouse.—The Vestry have
agreed to continue the removal of the house refuse
from the Parish of the Charterhouse for £55 per
annum, and to sweep Charterhouse Buildings and
Foresters' Hall Place for per annum, and have
further agreed to cleanse the gullies for £2 2s. per
annum.