The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-02-18 00:00:00

SELECT TES TRY.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Select Vestry was
held in the Parish Offices, yesterday. The Rev. Rector
Campbell presided, and the other members present were
Messrs. Woodruff, Shaw, Satchel!, Crellin, Bold, Denton,
Whiny, Richardson, Owen, Bairstow, Taylor, Syred,
Critchley, Chesney, Cooke, Jackson, and Mellor.

WORKHORSE COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of this committee were read. It
appeared bat the number of vagrants admitted during
the past week into the sheds were 260 males, 56 females,
and 17 children, in all 333. The number of sick cases
in the hospital, on the 11th instant, was 797, including
80 fever and 37 itch. The number in the house on the
11th instant was 2627,
Mr. Woodruff ealied aaeution to the case of a viotnao
named Margaret Daly, in reference to whom a letter had
been received from Dr. Canty.

The Chairman explained that the woman in qties'ion
had been examined by Mr. Leather, and certified to be
a lunatic. The magistrates, howeVer, refused to certify,
on the advice of Dr. Canty, that the woman was only
suffering from the effecte of fever. Subsequently, she
was examined by all the medical staff of the workhouse,
and the opiai.ms of all confirmed the views of Mr.
Leather.

Mr. Shaw said it appeared thetas Dr. Canty considered
the woman not a lunatic, Mr. Heywood, the magistrate,
declined to sanction her removal. Under those circum•
stances, the committee thought it right to forward to
the magistrate a copy of the depositions of the medical
staff.

The letter of Dr. Canty was then read, in which that
gentleman strongly maintained, on examination of the
woman, thit she was not a lunatic, and suggested that,
instead of a cold cell, she appeared rather to require a
warm room, goad nursing, and light nourishment.
Mr. Woodruff said it would be impossible for any
member of the board to decide which of the medieal
opinions was correct. ft appeared to him that as there
was a difference of opinion upon the subject, the best
way would be to remove the woman from the lunatic
cells into another part of the ward. If this had not been
done already, be begged to move that it be done, as recom-
mended by Dr. Cauty.
Mr. Shaw said he had no doubt that this course had
been already pursued.
Mr. Chesney drew attention to the fact that there were
386 children between the ages of eight and fourteen in
the house, while there were but 840 in the schools,
which would` hold 1,200. If all the children were sent
into the schools, the schools would not be- filled. He
therefore urged that these children should ba sent to the
schools.

The Chairman and other members explained that a
resolution had been already passed, appointing a sub—
committee with the governor to make a selection from
the children to be sent into the schools.

The vestry tben proceeded to appoint an assistant
medical officer, and a dispenser. For the first office, out
of a number of candidates, Mr. J. W. Moorhouse,
London, and Mr. E. H. Pitman, were selected by the
committee. A vote being taken, Mr. Moorhouse was
elected. 11r. Win. Shillinglaw was elected dispenser.
Mr. Shaw then moved the confirmation of the general
proceedings of the committee, which was carried. .

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

The minutes of these proceedings contained nothing
of importance. They were confirmed without discussion.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.

In the proceedings it was stated that the attention of
the committee had been called to an article headed
" Liverpool Life," in the Liverpool Mercury of the 9th
instant, reflecting upon the conduct of one of the collec-
tors in collecting poor rates from the occupiers of a
bunco in a uca-ftin ei.reet, of *Well the name was not
mentioned. The clerk was repeated to write to the
editor asking him to furnish the name of the
collector, and the name of the street. An answer
was received from the editor stating that the article in
question referred to Toxteth Park, which was out of
the jurisdiction of the vestry.
Mr. Woodruff, in moving the confirmation of the
proceedings, gave notice that on the next day he should
move the rescinding of a resolution passed on the 9th of
May, in reference to the application of the Rector for
burial fees, in connection with St. Martin's Cemetery ;
and that a resolution be passed in accordance with the
spirit of that adopted on the 16 h of January. The
former resolution was in effect that a fee of 6d each
interment t-e paid for bu ial fees. but that the further
charge of 6d for registration be not recognised. The
resolution of the 16th January recognised the charge of
Is. He also begged to call attention to another subject,
not exactly for the sake of discussion or argument at
present, but that gentlemen might consider it. It had
been under the consideration of the churchwardens and
the financial committee, on the suggestion principally of
a member of the board, that it would be desirable to
make all rates commence and end in one year, say from
the Ist of January, 1857, to the 31st of December, 1857 ;
or rather that from Easter of the present year, there
should be a short rate of nine months to the
end of December, and then a new rate
to commence on the first of the following January, and
end on the 31st of the following
_December. The
subject bad been before the finance 'eommittee, and
discussed to a considerable extent; and the vestry clerk
was to make a report upon the legal feasibility of it.
If there were no legal impediment he thought it would
be an alteration of great advantage. It would simplify
very much the payment of their bills to the mass of the
community. People would know exactly what they
were paying, and when they took a house they would
know when they were to be called upon to pay. The
rates would come payable with the rent. and he believed
it would he looked upon as a boon by the,community ai
large. Even educated men, accustomed like those around
that table to deal with parochial matters, sometimes
became confused, and what must be the case with the
whole mass of the community, with poor widows, and
women who knew nothing whatever of accounts I He
believed himself that there was no impediment in the
way, and he hoped the vestry clerk would find that such
was the ease, when it was remembered that in. Liverpool.
there were five sets of collectors going into every house—
the corporation collector, the government collector,
the parish collector, the water collector, and then the
gas collector, which was not exactly a question of rates.
He could not but reflect upon it.as a very great nuisance
to the community. If it could be so managed that all
this could be put into one, and collected,by one collector,
it would very much simplify matters. He did not,
however, believe that to attain that object was quite
practicable at present, and he merely threw out the
suggestion as . a very great advantage if it could
hereafter be carried into effect. He hoped, hcior,ver.
that the vestry would not wait until other bodies had
done what was right, but that they would themselves do
what was right in matters within their own contronl.
(Hear, hear.) Mr- Woodruff stated that in consequence
of the recent calamity at Wallasey church, the committee
had examined their insurances, and referred to the
several offices, and they found that all their buildings
were properlysecured by insurance. He also mentioned.
' that the finance dOintnittee were anxious not only that
assessments of all property should be fairly and equitably
laid, but that all descriptions of property which were by
law liable,, should be brought under charge, so that they
should secure the fullest amount of rates they ought to
receive, and. at the same time that they should be
economical in expenditure, with a view to having at the
end of the year a lower rate than hitherto had been
laid.

Mr. Denton expressed a hope that the rates would not
be made to press unnecessarily upon charitable institu-
tions.

The Clerk said there was no discretionary power in the.
hands of the c'aurchwarJens and overseers. They were
bound to assess all property legally rateable ; and if any
such were left out, the rate was subject to be quashed at
the sessions. .
Mr. Jackson enquired whether the amounts recom-
mended by the finance committee to be paid included
more than the fee of 6d. fur the burial of paupers in St.
Martin's Ceraetery,
Mr. Woodruff explained that an account was sent in
by the rector, of interments in that cemetery, but that no
monies had been hitherto paid, or were recommended to
be paid. He intended to move the rescinding of the
resolution he had mentioned, and he would then move
that the amount claimed be paid. There would then be
an opportunity for any gentleman who thought fit, to

oppose his motion, and, if necessary, take a division
upon it:
Mr. Denton said he was about to put a rincstion to the
chairman of the finance committee, which lie knew
Vould meet with a smile from the gentlemen present.
He wished to ask whether any communication had been
received from Mr. Weightman with regard to the
measurements of Messrs. Holmes' contract?

• Mr. Woodruffsalcih;eTa;l---beeOno special communi-
cation received since Mr. Denton last put the question,
but he had himself seen the surveyor on the subject,
who assured him that he was using every dtligence to lay
the estimates and the account before the vestry at an
ear:y meeting. Mr. Denton, therefore, need not -be
alarmed.
Mr. D2nton : I move that the-clerk be instruzled to
write to Mr. Weighman again upon the subject.
Mr. Woodruff : Mr. Weightinan is doing all he can.
Mr. Denton t I don't think he is doing all he cal, and
that is the reason I move the reso!ution.
Mi. Woodruff : It is quite unnecessary, but if it will
gratify Mr. Denton, we have no objection.
The resolution was seconded and carried.
Mr. Bairstow moved, according to notice, that Mr.
John M. Suers, of Lancaster buildings, be appointed a
member of the vestry, in the room of Mr. H. Jones,
resigned.
• Mr. Woodruff Ee3onded the motion, which was carried
unanimously.
This concluded the business.