Some of the Vestries put forward their economy as a claim for praise. Thus, the Wandsworth Board said that "a due and careful regard to economy had characterised all their proceedings," and the Vestry of St. Mary Newington said, in 1860, that it had carried out its operations out of current income and had incurred no debt. The Medical Officers of Health held their offices at the pleasure of the Vestries, and, therefore, if they valued their position, had to be cautious in their criticisms of the management of the affairs of the parishes. But their reports convey that the work which ought to have been done was not being done as rapidly as they wished. "I wish I could induce the Vestry to insist more upon having the poorer dwellings cleansed and lime-whited." And again, "The Vestry has the power to restrict the operation of underground rooms, yet it has not moved in this important matter."[72] The Medical Officer of Health for St. Giles' (1857) referred to the-- "Indisposition of the Board to do works and charge the owners"; and, referring to a special case, he wrote, "It becomes your duty to do something to prevent the production of disease among the neighbours." The Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras wrote in 1856-7:-- "In many houses the overcrowding is very great. There is a clause under the Nuisances Removal Act by which the Vestry is called on to take proceedings before a magistrate to abate overcrowding, if it is certified to be such as to endanger health. No prosecutions have been taken under this clause." And again in 1859:-- "Very little has been done in this parish to abate over-crowding--extreme cases have been proceeded against. No systematic efforts have been made in this direction." And the Medical Officer of Health for Hampstead wrote (1856):-- "Nothing short of constant vigilance and inspection can keep the dwellings and premises of the people in a tolerably healthy state. I am not sure that your Board is blameless in some of these respects--an amiable, though weak, reluctance to act severely to any." And in 1857 he pleaded for the appointment of an Inspector of Nuisances, which, however, he did not get. The local authorities had their difficulties in dealing with many of these matters, even when they were disposed or anxious to do so, owing to-- "The imperfection of the powers conferred on them by the legislature, and to the great and stubborn apathy of a poor population." And the Medical Officer of Health for St. James' (1858) attributed blame to the public generally:--