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payment until 1895 of about 3s. 3d. in the pound on such addition, which could not be
recouped from the ratepayers, the Committee resolved to contest the matter, and, as the
Council seemed to be under some misapprehension as to the facts of some of the cases,
the Vestry Clerk had several communications and interviews with their Solicitor,
with the result that the Council resolved not to proceed further with the appeal.
The Committee incurred no costs in respect of this appeal.
(4) GREAT EASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY.
The Committee heard an important objection by the Great Eastern Railway
Company against the Assessments of their widened lines in Worship Street and
Shoreditch High Street. The legal questions involved—as to the basis of re-valuation,
owing to the fact that the new station is not yet in working order, and the Company's
Assessments had not been raised at the Quinquennial Valuation, 1890—were of such
importance and complexity, that the Committee decided to take the opinion of Mr.
Poland, Q.C., on the matter. This was taken by the Vestry Clerk, and the matter was
settled in accordance with Counsel's opinion on the various points involved.
The out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Committee in this matter amount to £6
for Mr. Poland's fees.
CLOSE OF QUINQUENNIAL APPEALS.
As already reported to the Vestry, the Gas Light and Coke Company's appeal
against the Quinquennial List of 1890, which was commenced in December, 1890,
dragged on until the summer of 1892. Messrs. Mills, Lockyer & Co. have acted
throughout as the Solicitors for the Committee. The appeal resulted in a reduction of
the Company's Assessments by £3,023, and although the Appellants had contended
for a reduction of £8,411 more, the Committee were ordered to pay a proportionate part
of the costs of the Company's appeal. These costs have been taxed and allowed at the
sum of £235 8s. 6d., and have been paid by the Vestry. In addition, the Vestry have
already paid Mr. Barnett's fees, amounting to £136 4s. 2d., and have paid Messrs.
Mills, Lockyer & Co. £978 9s. 0d. for their net costs and Counsel's fees, the Gas Light
and Coke Company having had to pay them £210 15s. 8d. in addition for costs of the
first day.
Your Committee have passed a vote of thanks to the Chairman for his conduct
of the business of the Committee during the past year.
Submitted by order of the Committee,
H. MANSFIELD ROBINSON,
Shoreditch Town Hall, Clerk to the Assessment Committee.
Old Street, E.C.,
April, 1893.