The Express.
London, England, 1850-06-20 00:00:00

CONDUCT OP THE VERGERS AT T. PAUL'd CATHEDRAL.

Alderman WILSON brought up the report of the com-
mittee of priviieges, directed to inquire into sod take such
steps as might be necessary with reference to the conduct of
the vergers at St. Paul's Cathedral on the first Sunday in
Trinity term. It certified that Alderman Hooper having
stated the conduct displayed by one of the vergers to Mu.
Hooper upon that day, the committee directed the town clerk
to write to the chief verger, informing him that the verger
who was in charge of the seats appertaining to the Lady
Mayoress and the ladies of the aldermen, had interrupted
the ladies in their progress to their proper mats, and behaved
with great redeems and discourtesy ; that an extract from
the records of the corporation, from which it appeared that
in the year 16:09, granting the vergers the Wm of hi. an-
usually for their attendance upon the Lord Mayor and C inn
of Aldermen, but with a proviso that they should keep the
seats of the aldermen and their ladies clear and free for their
reception, had been sent to the chief verger, accompanied
with the desire to know who was the verger in charge of the
seats on that occasion ; that the following lcter was received
in reply to that communication
_ . _

St. Paul's Cathedral, 4th June, 14in.
Stn,—l beg to acknowledge the rectipt of your letter of yesterday,
and in reply to state that my colleague, Mr. Joseph links and in}sc If
bad charge of the Lady Mayoress's closet on Sunday last. From the
crowded state of the church 1 was noes arily engaged in other parts
of the church, and was wholly ignment of the circumstances to which
reference is made. Upon enquiry of Mr. flicks he states that he was
ordered by the police not to allow a",•v one to enter the Lady
Mayoress's closet until after her arrival, and that be is wholly un-
consMous of having given MIMI of offence. Mr. nicks supposed him.
eel( acting under the immediate instructions of the Lady Mayoress in
refusing to admit strangers into her seat. As soon, however, as the
ladles Hooper, made themselves known, Mr. HMO came to me end
asked what he should do. 1 told him to admit them at once as a
matter of tight, his instroctionanatwithatanding. Allow me, in con-
clusion, to say that we are constantly placed in trying and difficult
circumstances of this kind. Visitors frequently require the best
eammodatim wecan Word in thename of acme member at the comple-
tion, while from the frequency of three occurrences wenecemarily Meow
that many such statements must be untrue. lithe loins had presented
tickets, or U we bad any opportunity of knowing personally those
who have a right to the meta demanded? and if, in addition to thin,
whatever Instructions are deemed remusite were given directly to the
vergers, very great inconveniences might be obviated, we should
not have to eubmit to the overbearing temper sometimes assumed by
the visitors, and we should have the satisfaction and pleasure of ren-
dering the most respectful attention fm our power to those ladies and
gentlemen who have a legitimate claim upon our best services.-1 re-
main, sir, with the greatest respect, your obedient servant,
Mr. cerpant Merewether.

JAIL= SYKEIS verger.
The report went on to state that the vergers attended the
committee, and expressed their regret at the occurrence ;
and concluded by stating that the committee felt tatiefied,
from the explanation afforded, that a similar event would
not again arise; at the same time they were of opinion that,
for the future, any instructions from the lady mayoress res.
parting the admission of herself or friends into the clout
should be communicated to the vergers by the City Marshal,
and not by the police ; and that the ladies of the aldermen
who may at any time be desirous of attending at the who
dral shout.' be furnished with orders from the aldermen fey
their admission into the closet, whereby all parties entitled to
seats there would be duly accommodated.
Alderman WILSON, in moving that the report be agreed
to, said that no men could have shown greater contrition
than the vergers had shown before the committee, and he
entertained no doubt that there would be no future cause of

complaint. _
Alderman HOOPER said he was glad that he had moved
the reference of the matter to the committee of privileges, as
it bad caused an investigation which he trusted would not
only in the result be b.neficial to th. ladies who visited the
cathedral, but to the public at large. (Loud cries of " Hear.")
The court ultimately agreed to the report, in the expecta-
tion that the evil would be completely removed, and that the
advantage will be publicly felt.—Adjourned.

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING LOCAL SELF-GOVERN-
MINT.—Yesterday a public meeting was held at the King's
Arms Hotel, New Falaos-yard, Westminster, to consider
what steps it was most advisable to take for the purpose 01
maintaining and extending local self-government in opposi
Lion to centralisation. Mr. James, of Birmingham, took the
chair, and explained that one of the objects of the present
society was to oppose the principles sought to be established
by the Public Health Act. The society was resolved to use
every means in its power to prevent the attempts which
were now being made to extend the system of centralisation,
as opposed to the constitutional principles of local self-go-
vernment. Amongst the various objections to the system
of centralisation, the society invited particular attunes to
the Public Health Act which was now under the considera-
tion of the house. This bill was objected to by the society
en the ground that it was likely to be passed into law with-
out an opportunity being given to the inhabitants of Bir-
mingham, Brighton, Luton, Whitchaven, Wolverhampton,
and other towns, to De heard upon the matters therein con-
tained. At a meeting held a few days ago in furtherance
of the objects of the society certain resolutions were puled,
anti subsequently proceedings ware appointed to take place
on the present occasion. Mr. J. T. Smith, honorary
secretary to the committee, appointed to carry out the views
of the aosnry, addressed the meeting at some length, and
pointed out the evils that were likely to arise from the sys-
tem of centralisation which the government seemed disposed
to adopt. He eueluded Frainaialf a ralaisbaa ta the
effect that some steps should be taken to oppose the course
b which, in violation of the constitutional protection
afforded by the standing orders of both houses of parliament,
the Public Health Act was shoat to be brought into opera-
tion in many plies/ throughout England and Wales. ibis
and other noolutioni, having in view the promotion of the
otdects of the society, and the mode of rasing hinds to snip-
pet it, were suscsedvisly eased. and the meeting separated.
CIIORCII RATES AT BRIOUTON.—The church-rate
question began beginning to attract attention at Brighton.
The existing rate wee imposed by a minority of the rate-
payers, and its oollection for wow dm was not enforced. A
few weeks ago, however, summonses were issued against
several respectable inhabitants, who declined to make pay-
ment ; but as they contest the legality of the rate,- the
=iretas amid take no farther proceedings in the natter.
e peados is it is understood, about to be oiled to the
peeper eesiesinstisal court. Meanwhile, on Friday last so-
viral Quakers were wanunesed ; their cases owe before the
beach on Monday, but were then adjourned until to-orrow,
whoa doubtless, as the objections of the Caskets tom aura
rates is irrespective of all legal considerations, distress war-
rants will be issued against their goods. As the legality of
the rate is about to be contested, and as the Braintree ease,
though decided in the Court of Error, is understood to be
are on appeal to the Roses of Lords, great indignation Is
entertained in Brighton at this oppaarive step against the
(halms.