COUNTY COUNCILS FORESHADOWED 79 



On 31st of the same month the Chamber reiterated their 

 resolution of February, 1867. on Turnpike Trusts, 



* and, considering that no settlement of the question can be 

 satisfactory which is based upon exclusive rating of real property, 

 determines to oppose Mr. Knatchbull-Hugessen' s Turnpike 

 Trusts Bill." 



On 5th May the Chamber 



" recorded its gratification that the importance of establishing 

 County Financial Boards is now acknowledged in Parliament, 

 and expresses its reliance on the Government carrying out their 

 declared intention of making the inquiry into the whole subject 

 speedily effective for legislation " ; 



and eight members were nominated as witnesses to give 

 evidence before the Select Committee on the Bill. 



Although the Local Taxation Committee were insistent 

 in their demand for the establishment of County Financial 

 Boards, and although the subject was frequently debated 

 in the Council, members of the Chambers did not seem to 

 realise the modern trend towards bureaucracy, with its 

 inevitable increase of paid officialism. They also overlooked 

 the natural emulation for ostentation among these county 

 authorities, which has caused a competition between them 

 for palatial offices, huge staffs, high salaries and all the con- 

 sequential extra vagence. Had they realised this their eager 

 desire for county centralisation might have been somewhat 

 tempered. 



At a public meeting arranged by the Chamber to take 

 place at Leicester, on 17th July, during the visit of the Royal 

 Show, the subject was discussed, and Mr. Duckham (after- 

 wards Liberal Member for Hereford), moved a resolution 

 urging members of all Chambers to support Parliamentary 

 Candidates who declare themselves in favour of a revision of 

 Local Taxation. 



This is apparently the first recorded instance of such advice 

 being given at a meeting of the Chambers. 



On 22nd September, the Chamber issued " An Address " 

 to the Associated Chambers, opening as follows : 



" Gentlemen, Your attention is invited to resolutions which 

 have been passed by this Council upon some of the most important 



