London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Westminster 1889

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, The United Parishes of St. Margaret and St. John, Westminster]

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118
was transferred to the new Vestry, and that the rates made by
the latter were valid, the Overseers (unless members of the
Vestry) not being entitled to vote.
G. Section 18 of the Amendment Act enacts that "it shall be
"lawful for the United Vestry of the Parishes of St. Margaret
"and St. John the Evangelist Westminster, at any Meeting held
"for the purposes of the Act of George the Second" (the Local Act)
to pass resolutions as to the payment of collector's of rates. It is
obvious, therefore, that the Legislature recognised the powers
under Section 6 of the Local Act as being transferred to the
United Vestry, and it is submitted that the powers under Sec. 7,
in relation to the appointment of a Treasurer, have in like
manner become transferred by Sec. 3 of the 19 and 20 Vict.,
cap. 112, as quoted at the commencement of the last preceding
paragraph.
7. As the time approached for making the first poor rate after
the passing of the Amendment Act, the opinion of Counsel was
taken as to whether that rate should be made as formerly or otherwise.
After reviewing the changes and reciting the provisions of
the Local Act, in conformity with which the rate had been made
until the passing of the Act of 1855, Counsel said "that Act is
"now to be read as though the United Parishes had been a single
"parish mentioned in Schedule A, and as the United Vestry is
"by Section 8 of the same Act, as explained by 19 and 20, Vict.,
"cap. 112, sec., 3 to be taken to constitute the Vestry of the
"parishes and to have superseded and taken over the powers of
"the Vestry as previously constituted, it follows in my opinion
"that the United Vestry is now to make the poor rate for the
"United Parishes."—Mr. Alexander Glen.
8. Guided by the foregoing circumstances "the United
Vestry," as constituted by the Amendment Act, have since 2Gth
March, 1888, performed all the duties previously performed by
" the Churchwardens, Overseers, and Vestrymen" under the
Local Act. The following extracts from the Minutes of their
Proceedings in relation to the Treasurer's Security is submitted
for the information of the Auditor :—
At the Ventry Meeting on the 10th October, 1888.
Report of Finance Committee.
4. Consequent upon the dissolution of the District Board of Works
the Committee have had again under consideration the matter