§ Mr. CLOUGHasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, under the Lighting and Watching Act, it is incumbent upon the Hellifield parish to have their annual meeting in the month of October for the purpose of the administration of that Act; whether he has received a communication from the Hellifield parish council explaining that it is very inconvenient and unbusinesslike that that meeting should be held after the lighting season has commenced and contracts for gas and lamplighting have been entered into; whether the vote approving of these provisions for last year was only carried by the casting vote of the chairman; and whether he can make an Order 2123W altering the date of the parish meeting from the month of October to the month of September, or some earlier month, so as to render more smooth the working of that Lighting and Watching Act?
§ Mr. BURNSI received last week a communication from the parish council to the effect stated in the question. I am not empowered to issue any Order in the matter, but I am not aware of any objection to the parish meeting for determining the amount to be raised for the purposes of the Lighting and Watching Act, 1833, being held in the month of September or some earlier month, if this is deemed convenient. I have informed the parish council accordingly.