View report page

39
Local Government Act, 1894. Transfer of
Powers.—The Local Government Act, 1894, provides
by Section 33 that the Local Government
Board may, on the application of the Vestry, make
an order transferring to the Vestry all or any of the
following matters, namely:— the appointment of
overseers and assistant overseers; the revocation
of appointment of assistant overseers; any powers,
duties, or liabilities of overseers; and any powers,
duties, or liabilities of a parish council; the lastmentioned
comprising certain powers with respect
to parochial charities. The Vestry, as recorded in
the last report, made application to the Local
Government Board to transfer the duties of the
Guardians or Governors of the Poor, and of the
Overseers, to the Vestry; and also referred it to
the Finance Committee to examine into and to
report upon the origin of the various Parish Charities
of St. James and St. John, and the intention
of the donors as far as can be ascertained, with the
view to the administration of the non-ecclesiastical
charities by the Vestry. The Committee has not
yet concluded its enquiries.
With reference to the application to the Local
Government Board the Vestry have received a
letter from the Local Government Board, declining
to transfer all the powers, duties, and liabilities of
the Overseers to the Vestry (but offering, if the
Vestry so wish, to transfer certain minor powers),
and stating that they are advised that under
section 33 of the Local Government Act, 1894,
they have no power to transfer the duties of the
Guardians or Governors of the Poor to the Vestry.
The Vestry have expressed to the Local Government
Board their regret at the decision they have
come to, and their desire, when the question of
London Government is being considered, to point
out the anomalies which exist in this Parish.