Mr. Tite however replied that Sir John Shelley had moved for such a return, referring to one similar to that printed at page 69 in the second report, but as the return moved for by Sir John Shelley differed from that suggested by the committee, in several important particulars, the vestry requested Mr. Tite to obtain the introduction into it of the additional information.

The act for regulating the supply of gas to the metropolis rendered it necessary that the vestry should consider the appointment of a Gas Examiner; and having themselves determined to put in operation in this parish the act for preventing the adulteration of articles of food and drink by appointing an Analyst; a committee was appointed in March, 1861, to confer with Dr. Barclay as to his acceptance of the latter office, and the terms upon which he would undertake its duties, having regard to his diminished duties as medical officer of health. This Committee was amalgamated with one appointed subsequently, and specially, to consider the duties and salary of the medical officer of health, to whom was referred also, the question of the appointment of the gas examiner.

In consequence of the heavy amount of the solicitors’ (Messrs. Lee and Pemberton) bill for the year 1859–60, which included the greater part of the law charges in the actions brought against the vestry by the London Gas Light Company and Mr. Hornsby, the contractor, those gentlemen suggested in the following letter to the vestry clerk that they should be taxed:—

44, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, W.C., London,
18th May, 1860.

Dear Sir, We have given the subject of our Mr. Pemberton’s conversation with you respecting our bill of costs, mature consideration, and feeling the delicate position in which the vestry are placed as trustees accountable to their constituents, we would suggest that for the future all our bills be referred to Mr. Richard Dax, of the Temple, barrister at law, for taxation, and to certify the amount properly payable to us. This course is adopted by the Great Western and North Western railway companies, the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton railway company, the Shrewsbury railway company, the Metropolitan railway company now in course of formation, all of whom refer their solicitors’ bills to Mr. Dax for the satisfaction of the shareholders, and we believe it to be the practice with nearly all railway and other large companies; should the vestry resolve to do so, we shall feel great pleasure in submitting our bills to Mr. Dax, and being bound by his certificate, as it is extremely distasteful to us that any doubt should exist in the minds of the vestry as to the propriety or amount of any item charged by us, which however there almost necessarily must be, from the technical manner in which solicitors are obliged to make out their bills. We ought to add, that we have no sort of personal acquaintance with Mr. Dax, who is the son of the late Master of the Exchequer, and a well known author and authority on the subject of solicitors’ costs. Should the vestry adopt our suggestion, we must ask to be allowed to make out the bills now before them, afresh, as they are not framed for taxation, and that in future, our bills should be delivered half-yearly and paid within a short time after they have been certified, and we remain, dear Sir, your’s faithfully,

Lee & Pemberton.

The vestry, having accepted the proposal, returned the bills to the solicitors as desired, and requested Mr. Finch, a solicitor and a member of the vestry, to attend the taxation. This, after a strong protest from the solicitors, he did; and the accounts amounting to £914. 3s. 5d., as originally delivered, were settled by Mr. Dax at £998. 8s. 7d., including the costs of taxation.

The law costs for the present year have been submitted to the same process, and have been certified by Mr. Dax to be correct at the amount at which they were sent in,—viz., £177. 1s. 6d.

Mr. Miles having been elected to preside at eighty-three meetings, out of the one hundred and fifty-three held during the year, his services as chairman were again acknowledged by a vote of thanks on the twenty-first of May. The thanks of the vestry have been also given during the year to Mr. Perry on the eighth of May, for his exertions as delegate at the metropolitan and county association for the equalization of the poor rates; and to Mr. Foy on the fourth of December, for the tasteful way in which the decorations of the vestry hall, on the occasion of the inauguration dinner were carried out by him.

GENERAL WORKS.

Appendix No. 7 (pages 48–49), represents the cost, during the past year under the several sub-heads of paving, lighting, watering, cleansing, &c., and the provision made for meeting the same, by orders upon the board of guardians.

The surveyor’s return upon this subject forms Appendix No. 8 (page 50).