View report page

52
a view to the settlement of both questions, the Parliamentary Committee appointed a
Deputation to wait on the Trustees and offer to recommend the Vestry to pave the roadway
in consideration of Hoxton Square being conveyed to the Vestry for a public
recreation ground, and as a further inducement the Committee offered to recommend
the payment of £200 compensation money, and to provide a proper gardener for the
square, and agree to certain regulations to prevent the use of the square beiug a
nuisance to the occupiers of adjoining property. Under this arrangement the occupiers
would have been relieved of the rate now levied on them for maintaining the square,
and the Metropolitan Gardens Association had promised to lay out about £200 on the
square. The Trustees took a poll of the inhabitants, who were with very few exceptions
in favour of handing over the square to the Vestry, but on the question being finally
considered by the Trustees, a Motion to accept the Vestry's proposals was unfortunately
lost by the casting vote of the chairman. There is reason to hope, however, that an
opportunity will soon be afforded for getting the question reconsidered.
EAST LONDON WATERWORKS COMPANY.
FAILURE OF SUPPLY.
In April, 1891, the Vestry submitted a memorial to the London County
Council, praying them to take proceedings for penalties against the East London
Waterworxs Company, under the Metropolis Water Act, 1871, for the alleged
failure by that Company to keep up the constant supply system in respect of 560
premises in the parish. This was alleged to be injurious to health, a great inconvenience
to the inhabitants, and dangerous in case of fire.
The Company's excuse of the supply being cut off through the severe frost
was found to be insufficient, as the failure had existed for over two months after
the frost had broken up, and the supply of whole streets was cut off where only the
pipes of a few premises were defective.
Some legal difficulties were raised by the Council, and such a long time
elapsed before Counsel's opinion could be taken by them that the supply was restored
in the meantime, and the Council thought it sufficient to warn the Company, as had
been done under similar circumstances by the Metropolitan Board of Works in
the year 1877.
The Vestry expressed dissatisfaction at this conclusion, as they contended
that nothing but the infliction of a penalty would have the effect of remedying the
recurrence of such failures of supply.
ADULTERATION OF FOOD.
22 prosecutions have been conducted on behalf of the Vestry out of 95
samples procured for the adulteration of food during the year, and, on conviction,
fines have been inflicted, amounting in total to £77.