View report page

37
In addition to the work of the Moira Place Scheme, this increase has taken place
under the following heads:—
"(1) Electric Lighting undertaking in connection with which 58 Special
Contracts have been entered into during the past year, all of them requiring
the most careful consideration and drafting at my hands. The acquisition of
the Pitfield Street Site and generating sub-stations has involved the examination
of about 20 titles, some of which are still unfinished. In connection with claims
for compensation for injuries to persons falling down electric Lighting trenches,
and injury to property, there have been six actions in the High Court, some of
which are still progressing. A large additional amount of correspondence and
minute work has been entailed by this Committee.
" (2) Street Improvements and the schemes of the Works Committee, of
which the Goldsmiths' Row, Murray Street, and French Alley Improvements
have involved the examination of 15 titles, some of which are still in progress.
The erection of several Underground Conveniences, and two New Bridges improvements
are still pending, besides heavy sewerage and paving schemes involving
several loans.
"(3) Loans. A large additional amount of work has been involved in connection
with the Loans. The Special Loans Accounts number 17 more than
five years ago, and the number during the past year has meant heavy correspondence
with the London County Council, and the Local Government
Board.
"4. General Litigation.—In addition to current Police Court cases which
have been largely increased (owing to the additional Sanitary Inspectors appointed)
there are at present in the office 13 distinct actions pending in the High Court in
connection with the different departments of the Vestry, all of which consume a
large amount of time and clerical labour which is not apparent to members of
the Vestry.
"5. The general growth of the Vestry's Work.—Additions have been caused
by such matters as the preparation and circulation of Committees' Agenda, preparation
of Pocket Book, opposition to Licences by Overseers (4 cases in the last
fortnight); and the recent Transfer of the Powers of the Baths and Library Commissioners,
Burial Board and Parochial Charities to the Vestry.
"After carefully considering the matter and in view of the fact that all the property
on the Moira Place Site is not yet acquired and that the Local Government Board
have sanctioned the Vestry's reconstructing the area which in the opinion of the
Housing Committee will require at least half the time of one Clerk I beg to
" Recommend :—
"1. That an Assistant Clerk with experience in a solicitor's office be appointed
in Mr. Nicholl's place at a salary of, say, £160 per annum, his duties to be to
take over the work of the Housing Committee and the reconstruction of the Area
and attend to the work of the Lighting Committee and assist in general litigious
work,
"2. The appointment of an Office Boy at 10/- per week.
" 3. The devotion by Mr. Milne of the whole of his time to the duties of my
department, the checking work now performed by him to be done by the extra
Clerk in the Accountant's Department as already settled by the Officers Committee
on 17th July, 1896.
"In case these recommendations are adopted the total salaries of my staff will
then be £5 per annum less than the salaries at present."