The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-10-16 00:00:00

A LAWYER'S BILL.

KENNINGT()N l'A 'USN.

The parish of Kennington was yesterday in an uproar upon •
very irritable subject—a lawyer's Bill. It appears that 31r. Evans,
an Attorney residing at Kennington, has transacted the legal busi-
ness of this parish fur the last three and thirty years. From tune
to time he hats presented very large bills which have been paid
without any demur on the part either or the parish or its overseers.
lately, however, some new overseers have been appointed, who
have evinced a disposition to a more active inquiry into the csdiec-
tion and expenditure of the parish, than distiognished their prede-
cessors. The Lawyer's bill was a point on which they had fixed
for the exercise of their exertions, to diminish the parochial ryes.
Accordingly, after an ineffectual effort to procures public vestry,
a public meetirg of the panallioners was conversed at the Horn's
'favern. The following is a transcript of the formidable and angry
*wantons by which the parishioners were convened:-.

" FIGHT 11UNDRED POUNDS.
" The Inhabitants of this Parish are invited to meet us at the
Ilnen'S Tavern, Kennington, on Friday next, the 15th instant,
precisely at Ten &Clock of the Forenoon, to signify their assent
or dissent to the settlement of a bill exceedirg 11/0/. claimed by
:11r. Thomas Evans, of Kennington-cross, fur law expenses, the
money for which he has obtained upon an at.tidated dishonoured
" The extraordinary circumstances attending this business, and
(as we conceive) the illegal manner in which the money has been
got out of the Bankers hands against our consent, to pay a demand
no Les illegal, renders it a duty to disclose the particulars of this
affair, in order that you may prevent the passing of our prede-
cessors accounts if so determined.
• DEC/RGI: FALL,
" C. DIME.S.
" SAMUEI. VAUGHAN 110 WIS.
" Lembeilt, Oct. 11, 111"4. °veneers of the Poor."

Ur. Howie in the Choir.
Mr. JON ES, as soon as the Chair was taken, rose to move en
siljeurnment. The bill had been already paid--the niorey was in
Mr. Evane's pocket, and it was idle now to canvas it. If any ob-
jection existed to the payment of it this was not the time to raise
such an objection. There was a day ew annually auditing the ac-
counts of the Overseers, and such a day was the fining time to
themes the propriety of the payment. Anything that might be
resolved on, therefore, now was futile, and could be of no avail ;
he therefore moved an adjournment.
This suggestion was received with very general te.epprobation
by the Meeting, and after a discussion, which was characterised
by a great dell of noise, and a very small share of reason, the
motion was ultimately rejected by a shew of hands.
Mr. FALL congratulated the Meeting on the decision they liad
come to. It was endeavoured by those who were enemies to in-
quiry to stifle discussion ; but it was gratifying to find a disposition
prevailed amongst the parishioners to have their accounts investi-
gated, and to know what valise they received for the money they ex-
pended. The majority of the Ferret vestry who superintended their
affairs, was little 'lmposed to co-operate with others in procuring that
fair adjustment of their accounts which it wasthe right of the parish
to expect and demand. Mr. Fall proceeded amid frequent interrup-
tions, to state the case on the part of the overseen and parishioners,
who objected to the payment of the Attorney's bill. Previous to
his entering on the subject of the day, he wished to rail their attri-
tion to the mode of miragement *hi h had existed for some years
in the collection of the parochial rases. With re'pect to the sur-
veyors of roads--
Mr. Rorr.—Really this is not decent ; we 1m met for a specific
subject. and should not depart from it.
Mr. FALL contended that he was in perfect order.
A l'utisittnie en—Yes ; this subject is connected with the
other,fer, it leads to it. (A laugh.)
3lr. Neer was about to repeat his objections, but was induced
to resume his seat by a formidable threat from a gentleman in
the corner of the room, who exclaimed, `. Sit down, Sir, or
bundle you out."
Mr. Fact. proceeded amid similar saluteeenes peeling feom ore
parishioner to another. From hie statement, it appeared that Mr.
Evane hail presented a bill for 7251., to which he procured a
cheque for an order of payment on their banker, sighed only by
two of the overseers. It is necessary that to such a cheque the sig-
nature at least of three of the o.emers should be attached. Two
Churchwardens' names were signed to it, but lie (Mr. F.) gave
notice at the bank that the cheqtte did not entitle Mr. Evans to
payment unless a third Overseers' name was added to it; and ac-
cordingly it was dishonoured. Subsequently, however, after the
date for which it was drawn this very cheque was presented for pay-
ment by procuring the signature of Mr. King, one of the Overseers,
who was ignorant of the merits of the case, who had only just ar.
rived from Ireland, and had been induced to put his name to It.
However, in the receipt which Mr.• Evans gave for the 7251. he
pledged himself to indemnify the Overseers, should they
become liable for the amount to the parish. This threw a
strong suspiclos on the validity of the debt altogether. He
would resat the payment of this bill on three grounds, first,
because it was not legally due; secondly, because 31r. Evans did
not render valuable services to the amount of the charges it con-
tained; and thirdly, because Mr. Evans was not a regularly cer-
tified attorney at the time that a greater past of the bill was alleged
lobe contracted. Mr. F. here quoted the opinion of Sir S. Shep-
herd, establishing the right of every person, who contributed to a
parochial rate, to appeal, if he thought proper, against the mode of
its expenditure; and after commenting at considerable length, and
with nincli acuteness, on the three points which he advanced egainst
the bill, he concluded by moving a resolution to the effect of
pledging the parishionere to appeal against the propriety of the
payment of 800!. to Mr. Evans.
Mr. Evans, junior, in reply to a question from a parishioner,
said, that be believed his father was regularly certified at the time
the charges contained in the bill were contracted.
Mr. Sent:Lee thought the charges very exorbitant. lie saw
R 23 charges for attendance, some of them charged at I3s. ed. and
others at II& lid. and 3s. Id. This was a large item in the bill,
and the service for which it was demanded could as well be done by
a parish clerk or beadle as by an anorney. The business of the
parish could, in his opinion. be done fur 1001. a year. Ile meant
to offer himself to the parish to do its business at that salary.
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. JOKES objected to the meeting altogether, and its objects.
The present was rot a time for auditing the parish accounts, and
the money was paid to the Attorney, whose charges he considered
exceedingly moderate. (Disapprobation). Ile hoped the Gentle-
man who spoke last would not spring into a place front the ashes
of his respectable predecessor. (Hine.). There were many per-
sons eminent in their legal profession who considered the charges
exceedingly moderate. lie concluded, by moving an adjournment.
Mr. Hoer said, that Mr. Evans was ready even now to suemit
the bill to taxation, although he had the amount of it in his
pocket. This, lie thought. was a fair proposal.
Several parishioners expressed thentselin dissatisfied with that
arrangement. Ile ought, in :heir opinion, to prove the services he
had rendered for it.
Captain Tuea x a thought as the bill was paid, it was better to
let the matter for the present rest, and by the appointment of OS-
dent parochial officers in future, they would prevent any misap-
propriation of the funds of the parish.
Mr. Dints supported the original motion. Ile was informed if
the present bill were paid quietly, that there was another fresh bill
for 20W. to be presented them.
After a very desultory discussion, in which there was a liberal
exchange of no very complimentary personalities between the
Whigs and the Turks of Kennington parieb, the motion fur ap-
pealing against the payment of the bill was ciovied, three or four
hands only being held up in favour of Mr. Jones's emendated,
after which the meeting broke up.

From the Londom Nes Pike Cur rent.)
Ott op it 15.

COTTON.—The market is exceedingly heavy, and there is
such a quantity of East India descriptions hero, and of low qua-
lity, that it will require time and very favourable accounts front the
manufacturing districts to improve the present depressed prices:
Bengali otter at 31d.; Surats at sd. The purchases this week are
confined to about ZOO Peniams taken fir export, and about the
same quantity of East India descriptions. The accounts from Li-
verpool this morning are most favourable: on Wednesday .1000
bags were sold at improving prices, and the market is stated to
look exceedingly firm.
SUGekili--1 be Sugar market this week has been exceedingly
-heavy, and the brown qualities must again be quoted lower. free
browns being purchased at Ms. and Ms. vid.; tlie finer dcreriptions
cannot be quoted at any reduction, yet the market is. heavy at the
previous currency, and the publte sale of Barbadoes Sugar went of
heavily, at prices hilly Is. lowa. The illipTVVell demand for Re-
fined Goods, which we lately noticed, has again subsided, and
though no reduction in the prices can be awed, yet the market is
exceedingly heavy. Molasses arc very brisk, at fel.; and very
few parcels can be bought this forenoon under V7a. The inquiries
after Foreign Sugars are not so general as formerly, and the mar-
; ket may be stated rather heavy.
COFFEE.—The public sales of Coffee have gore off very
heavily this week, particularly the ordinary descriptions of Janiat-
ca, which have been pressed on the marliet, and sold at very low
prices; the few tine lately offered have supported the furrier cur-
rency : several parcels of St. Bominir"o. of fair quality, have lately
been offered, for which only MN. ands9s. lid. was bid. There were
extensive sales of Coffee to-day, which continued up till a late
hone : the ordinary Jamaica sold rather higher ; St. Domingo MA.
a tits. ; Brazil Ss. a Ns. Generally the market may be stated
more firm.

....-
1101'S.—The market is plentifully supplied wilt new !lops;
the quality is good, and the late prim fully maintained.
1111.1NI/Y. and 111 ILL.INDS.—The demand f(w Low
Leewanl% has been considerable, and the holders are firm at im-
proving prices; for under proofs Is. 3!(!. has been repeatedly paid.
anal it is difficult to purchase parcels at that rate; proofs Is. ad.;
in the liner qualities, and in Jamaica very few purchases have
been lately reported ; they are heavy. Brandy, notwithstanding
the depres►ed state of the trade. is improving ; housed is now
Is. ltd. a 2%. %I. In Geneva no sales are lately reported; pale is
*suer, and Is. .11(1. off the quay is asked.
TALLOW.—The Tallow market is improving; the unfavmir-
able account* of the Davis' Straits Fishery has added to the previous
disposition in the market to advance. Tallow of 1C2:1, 33%.
345. tid ; new 331.
011(S.—The market is improving rapidly ; Greenland Oil 461'
this morning, and looking eseeedingly heat.
RICE.—IIy public sale this forenoon. 3.5110 bags r(e^gal Rice,
ordinary to good white sold 13s. 6d. • 16s. 6d.