I beg to send you an extract from the Minutes with reference to them.
I am, dear Sirs,
Your obedient Servant,
Chas. Lahee,
Vestry Clerk.
Messrs. Lee and Pemberton,
44, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, W.C.
Extract from the Minutes of a Meeting of the Committee of Works and for General Purposes, held in the Board Room, Manor House, Tuesday, May 1st, 1860,
The Committee considered the letter of the Solicitors (Messrs. Lee and Pemberton), dated 24th of April, respecting the Bill for the Amendment of the Metropolis Local Management Act. The Clerk laid upon the table 12 copies of the last reprint of the Bill, and reported that the Bill had been introduced the previous evening in the House of Commons by Mr. Tite, M.P.
Resolved,—That this Committee do not concur with the Solicitors in their remarks upon the Bill accompanying their letter respecting the following five clauses:—
Clause 11, enacting that any Vestry or District Board may pay the precepts of the Metropolitan Board of Works out of any money in their possession, and reimburse themselves out of the Sewers Rate. Remark referred to:—‘We think this clause very objectionable; it appears to involve a breach of trust on the part of the Vestry. Funds raised for one purpose should not be applied to another; and the effect is to give the Metropolitan Board of Works a first charge on every Rate collected. What does the Poor Law Board say to it?’
Clause 13, enacting that if any Vestry, &c., neglect to pay the money required by the precepts of the Metropolitan Board of Works, that Board may make a rate on default, without awaiting the expiration of the period fixed by the precept. Remark referred to:—‘Two months is not enough, it should at least be four.’
Clause 41, relating to the case of a Vestryman—a member of a District Board—not attending meetings for six months. Remark referred to:—‘Or committee thereof. We think this inexpedient. The member should go out as if by rotation, and be ineligible for the vacancy so created.’
Clause 60, relative to contributions to the cost of main sewers and sewers built since January 1st, 1856, or hereafter to be built. Remark referred to:—‘Leave out these words (lines 32 and 33, ‘at their discretion’).’