The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-08-09 00:00:00

POLICE.

TITHES IN BISHOPSOATE.
Mawstow Hotsg.—A member of the Society of Friends
Mr. J. Dixon, was summoned to show cause why he refused to pay
the arrears of tithes due to the Rector of Bishopsgate, the Bishop
of Chester.
The case for the parish was conducted by Mr. SMART.
Mr. Dixon took several legal objections. He pleaded a misno-
mer of John Dixon instead of Jacks Dixon, but he waived that,
as he said lie should be able to defeat the claim on grounds of a
more serious nature. He called for the technical proof of the ap-
pointment of the Collector, and also for the production of the rate
books. He then said he had to object that the rates were improperly
formed and assessed.
Mr Smart contended, that this was a question which could
only be tried at the Sessions.
The [Ante MATOR, sport looking at the Act, said that the rate
upon which he was to proceed must be duly and regularly freaked, I
and must he so proved before him.
Mr. Dixon then stated that by the Act which fixed the elijund
to be puid by the pariah to their Rector, it was regulated that ht
any one year there should be a surplus of tithes collected, it AWN
be carried to the account fur the succeeding year, sad
then to be levied lihoul.l be in consequence
minished. Now no less a sum than 17001. had boat
purpose of buying a bailee tee their Rector. This earn bed Web
charged upon the rates for tithes which he was now called Meld MI
pay. lie had a religious and conscientious scruple against rise'
payment of this money, and against the application which the
parish officers had ventured to make of it without the sanction of
an Act of Parliament. There was also a sum of G 33/. which had
been taken from the tithes, and applied to the poor rates, inde-
pendently of another sum of money which had been applied to the
purpose of repairing and beautifying the Bishop's residence.
These sums which had been so taken Irons the tithes illegally, during
the former year, would have formed a surplus, which if it had
been carried to the tithe rate for the present year, would have ma-
terially reduced it. In that parish, where they were groaning under
a burthen of 10,1001. per annum for poor's rates, it became every
man, even those who were friendly to a Church Establishment, not
to acquiesce in such a mal.anpropootion of the public money.
Mr. Smart, in reply, paid, that the money which was objected to
as hoeing been improperly raised, had been borrowed in 1824, be-
fore Mr. Dixon came into the month, and before the Act of Parlia-
ment • under which the present claim for tithes was made, had been
passed. It was a transaction which was concluded before hie coming
amongst them, and thweefore he had nothing to do with it.
Mr. Dixon—But I have a great deal to do with it. You come
now to pay out of the rate what you endeavour to lay on me, the
money which was borrowed bethee my arrival, and yet you say I
have nothing to do with it.
The honer Revolt said, be did not see that the par;sli officers
were justified In coming, as it were, to reap the defendant's corn,
and bike it in payment of a debscontracted before his arrival, and
to which the rates for tithes were not applicable.
Mr. Smart contended that the tithes were applicable; the fact
was, they had found it necessary to enlarge the Church-pod, and
in so doing they were compelled to take down the fleeter' house,'
which of course they must make good. Under the Act they might
defray the expenses of any alterations in the Church-yard from,this
particular rate.
The LORD AIATOII, on looking at the Act, saw no authority
given them to raise mopey foe the enlargement of the Church-yatd.
They were certaialy enabk4 from this rate to defray the expenses
of any repairs. He, u the Chief Magistrate, would not otherwise
be inclined to favour any application of parochiul funds to such a
purpose. He was against the enlargement of any Clnsiehlard in
the City, and would be glad to have them removed out of it, where
it was possible.
Mr. Dixon denied that the Church-yard had been enlarged. A
sew building had certainly been raised, but then it had been let to
a merchant. In addition to this, they were to pay 1,7001. for re-
`4nif beentifyit g the Bejtop's house, and erecting tene.