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Local Board as well as to the Vestry, with a view to the promotion of a
scheme for carrying the same out. It is needless to say that the Vestry
responded favourably, and it is understood that the Middlesex County
Council and the Hornsey Local Board are also well disposed.
BARS AND GATES.
The County Council have intimated their intention of introducing
a Bill for the compulsory removal of bars and gates, the principal ones
in Islington being those in St. John's Park, Highbury Grange, and
Aberdeen Park. The Vestry readily promised its assistance, and at the
request of the Council nominated certain of its members and other
parishioners to give evidence before a Committee of the House of
Commons should it become necessary.
BLACKSTOCK ROAD IMPROVEMENT.
It was intimated in the last annual report that the Vestry had
referred the question of widening Blackstock Road by Askell Mews
to its Works Committee with a view to some steps being taken for
carrying out this much needed improvement. The Committee entered
into communication with the owners of the several properties
required, and found that while some were prepared to sell others
did not appear to be willing to do so. The only course open to
the Vestry was to put in force the provisions of the General Paving
(Metropolis) Act, 1817 (57 Geo. III., c. 29), for the compulsory acquisition
of the land and property required, and this the Vestry decided to
do on condition that the London County Council agreed to contribute
one-half the cost which was estimated at £6,000. The Council
intimated its willingness to contribute one-half of the nett cost (such
contribution not to exceed the sum of £2,050) but only on the understanding
that the Vestry should carry out the improvement and for
that purpose should acquire the whole of the property in Askell Mews.
In the event of the Vestry declining to deal with the property in the
Mews as suggested, the Council intimated that it must adhere to its
decision of the 5th November, 1889, limiting its contribution to £1,000.