Page:Notes by the Way.djvu/313

 NOTES BY THE WAY.

��243

��Punch

pictures of

cattle in

London

streets.

��The Commis- sioners of Sewers.

��The Corporation is described as a most democratic body in The Curpora- constitution, as its members have to be elected annually, no matter tion a demo- what their position may be, and " yet it is so ancient a body that cratic body, its origin goes back beyond legal memory, and it enjoys privileges and franchises which can neither be lost by forfeiture nor voluntarily surrendered." The government of the City has always borne a strong analogy to that of a county or shire ; indeed, the City is a county in itself. Just as the shires were ruled by aldermen, " so did the City receive from King Alfred an alderman as its first municipal governor in the person of Ethelred in A.D. 886."

A valuable and concise resume of the work of the Corporation since 1857 is given in the Jubilee number. In that year, as many will remember, the old shambles near Newgate Street still existed ; cattle were driven in crowds every Monday through the streets, to the terror of the ladies, though our friend Punch could not refrain from using his pencil to depict some of the humorous scenes. Now there are three large markets, including the Foreign Cattle Market at Deptford ; while to facilitate the supply of fish two millions have been spent in improving Billingsgate.

To the work of the Commissioners of Sewers (whose powers were transferred to the Corporation in January, 1898) high praise is accorded. The Commission was appointed, under an Act of Parliament of Charles II., by the Corporation on the 12th of February, 1668/9. Although it had a distinct constitution, and possessed far wider powers of civic government than the Court of Common Council, it was to all intents and purposes part and parcel of the Corporation. Under the Burial Act it purchased in 1852 ground at Ilford, and laid out the City of London Cemetery at a cost of 82,0002. By this purchase the Commissioners acquired rights in Wanstead Flats and Epping Forest, which are now pre- served to the public for ever.

Another good work of the Commissioners was the erection of artisans' dwellings at Houndsditch ; and they spent 88,(XXW. on acquiring depots in connexion with the cleansing department, so that the City of London has for years enjoyed the reputation of being one of the cleanest in the world.

When the Commission ceased to exist it possessed a rating margin of sixpence in the pound, while the li abilities on loans were less than 1,400,000?. It collected and paid over to the School Board 3,014,974/., and to the Metropolitan Board of Works, until this was superseded by the London County Council, 1,704,904?.

As to the street improvements carried out by the Commissioners, street

" their name is legion." The Commissioners were ever ready to improve-

set back lines of frontage. I may mention the widening of Ludgate ments. Hill, the Poultry, Queen Street, Great Tower Street, Eastcheap,

��Artisans' dwellings at Houndsditch.

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