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135
It was Resolved, as it does not appear there is any reasonable
ground for such Application that the same be refused.
Resolved also that in consideration of nearly all the Watchmen
having cheerfully returned to their Duty at the present pay
that they be allowed 2s. 6d. each for their loss of time upon
the present Occasion.
All the vigilance of the Vestry in the control of the
watch failed to procure public safety and order:—
Wed., 15th June, 1825. A representation having been made to the
Vestries that frequent Robberies have been committed in the
road leading from Milbank Row to Vauxhall Bridge where no
Watchman is stationed Ordered that the Vestry Clerk do write
to the Commissioners of Woods and Forests in whose district
the same is requesting that they will take the necessary
measure for the security of the public in that part.
Street
Cleansing.
Incidental reference to street cleansing has
already been made under the head of
ways," and in the "Ordinances" of the Burgesses of 1585.
It is, therefore, only necessary here to recollect that the
scavengers were originally unpaid officers appointed by the
Justices, and subsequently by the Commissioners, constituted
in 1674-5 by the Act of 14 Charles II., cap. 2:—
And that within the City of Westmr the said Officers shall be chosen
and the rates made and paid accordingly. And in all other the
Parishes and places aforesaid upon every Tuesday or Wednesday in
Easter Week, the Constable Churchwardens and Overseers of the
Poor and Surveyors of the Highways &c. or the greater number
of them giving notice unto or calling together such oilier inhabitants
of their respective parishes as have formerly borne the like
Offices therein they or the greater number of them shall make
choice of and shall nominate and appoint two or more -able
persons who are tradesmen of their parish to be Scavengers for
the year ensuing.
The appointment was to be made subject to the approval
and confirmation of the Justices, and was to be accepted
under a penalty of £20 for refusal, recoverable by distress,
or in default the person refusing was to be imprisoned.
The scavengers were responsible for the cleansing of the
streets by the paid "raker." According to Maitland there
were 16 scavengers iu the parish in 1770, while the
payments to the raker amounted to £451. The removal of