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137
two bodies combined to assist in the introduction of a
remedial Bill:—
Wednesday, 4th February, 1690. Ordered that the Churchwardens
pay to Mr. Reynolds for presenting a Bill for cleaning the
street, &c., towards the charge and pains by order of the
Sessions of the County of Middx the sum of Eight pounds.
Again and again during the next fifty years complaints
are recorded, and orders passed similar to the following:—
June 19, 1745. Ordd That Mr. Churchill the Sexton do (in case the
scavengers of the Sanctuary and Deanery Wards neglect to
clear the filth and soil from about the stocks and bone-house
in the churchyard at least once a month) cause such filth and
soil to be taken away and deduct so much as he shall pay for
the same out of the Scavengers' Rate.
From the fact that in the rating Bill introduced into
Parliament in 1751-2 a clause was inserted abolishing the
office of Scavenger it may be concluded that the Vestry
attributed the unsatisfactory condition of the parish to
those officers without, however, providing for the appointment
of others to perform the duties.
Sewers
As early as 1532-3 Commissioners of Sewers
were appointed by Statute of 32 Henry VIII.,
cap. 5. Tne reasons for, and the method of tne appointment,
with the duties assigned to the Commissioners will
be seen from the extract from the Act given below:—
Anno vicesimo tertio Henrici VIII., cap. 5.
Our soverign lord the King, like a virtuous and most gracious
prince, nothing earthly so highly weighing, as the advancing of
the common profit, wealth and commodity of this his realm,
concerning the daily great damages and losses which have
happened in many and divers parts of this his said realm .
by occasion of land-waters and other outrageous springs, in
and upon meadows, pastures and other low grounds adjoining
to rivers, floods and other water-courses. Wherein albeit
that divers and many provisions have been before this time
made and ordained, yet none of them are of sufficient remedy
for the reformation of the premisses, hath therefore by
deliberate advice and assent of his lords spiritual and temporal,
and also his loving commons, in this present parliament assembled,
ordained, established and enacted, That commissions
of sewers, and other the premisses, shall be directed in all parts
within this realm from time to time, where and when need
shall require to such substantial and indifferent persons