The National Register.
London, England, 1816-09-23 00:00:00

POLICE REPORT.
Second Examination of Mr. J. MAN,.

Have you now got the Rate-books of your parish ?—Yes.
Have you looked through the books generally?—'Through
the whole of these ; four others were returned to me this morn-
ing. In 1809, the Rev. Mr. King, the Rector of the parish,
desired me to send him the books for 1809 and 1810, which 1
accordingly did, and from that time to this moment I have ne-
ver got back the book for 1800. 1 was the whole of last year
looking for the book of 1800 and IMO, and I took down every
book from the vear 1627, and I find I have totally lost the book
for 1809 ; anal -I
have no doubt they were in the possession of
the Rev. Mr. King, for he returned the other books ; he had in
books from me at the time I have spoken of; but I have never
been able to tied the 1800-10 books.
Have you found in those hooks in your hand many entries in
which the rate is altered by Mereeron?—Many.
How many should you say ?—From 12 to 20.
Arc there any instances in which the rate has been dimi-
nished ?—Ni one to my knowledge.
Turn to 12409, folio 18,"S. Mendo,2l.lBs. 3d. relieved to 21."
—1 cannot find that without reference to the division.

Turn to the 211 division, folio 4," Moses Messiah, relieved to
21. from td. 164. ad. ;" is that entered?—lt is not Mr. Merceron's
hand-writing. I do not think it is.
Is that done before appeal?--I think it was.
Is it the custom, when a. rate is reduced upon the regular ap-
peal, to enter a menurrandunt that it was done?—Yes.
And am I to take it for granted, that when such memo►an-
dum is not entered, the rate was not reduced by an appeal ?
—lt may frequently be not put down when there is an appeal.
It frequently happens that there are S or 400 persons in the
room, and eight or nine books to attend to ; and when any en-
tries are made in the books by me, my hand-writing appears to
them. I sign J. M.
Now turn td folio S, in which it appears that Thos. Tyler has
been relieved from 141. told. ,—That was on appeal.
In folio 10, It. Vandrnm; the rate there appears to have been
raised from 81. to 141. and it does not say on appeals—The Col-
lector collected that ; it is in his hand.wriring.
Is that rate raised on appeal ?—I have no doubt it was.
Then how comes it that that is not stated in the book to be
collected on appeal, the same as Tyler?—When they come
into the room, there are four other persons, each of whom
name the books in which-the rates arc collected; I hand over
the books to them, and desire them to pot down a note in all
cases where there is an appeal, and it frequently happens, in
the harry in which the business is done, that such remarks are
not made.

Torn to the third division, folio SS, and inform the Commit.
tee whether you rind the names of A. Angley and S. Divine,
and explain the nature of the entry opposite to them 1. —The
entry is Mr.. Atkins's tenements, Hoxton, farmed at 61.
Is that the hand-writing of Mr. Merceron ?—No, the Col-
lector's.

N. Divine was reduced from 01. to ; was Mr. Merceron
instrumental to it, and was it upon appeal?-1 think it was.
It appearing, by your own statement, that Mr. Merceron al.
tcred the rate in the former entries without an appeal, do yros
believe that wherever there is a reduction of the rate in Lis
name, that it was done on appeal cannot speak povitiveky
as to that.

Do you believe it has been done otherwise ?—I never saw
him sign a book in my life.
Did you every remonstrate with Mr. Merceron noon the al.
terations which he made in the rates? —1 did not know of the
alterations until just before the indictment in the Court of
King'. Bench took place, and I said it was very wrong.
What did Mr. Merceron say in justification of his conduct ?
—Generally that be did not know it was wrong.
Did you apply to Mr. Pulley for legal advice how io act,
when you disrovered.that Mr. Merceron had so misemodneted
himself, under an apprehension that you might be involved in
such misconduct ?—Certainly not.
Did you apply to ;my one for Weal advice ?—No, Sir; I have
attended for my father and myself for 43 or 46 years, and there
is not any book in print upon the Poor Laws that I have not
provided myself with. I know the law myself on the subject ;
1 knew it was wrong.

Did you at any time express your abhorrence at so scanda-
lous u transactioli%-1 do not know that I did ; I said that )l r.
Nlereeron had improperly altered the rates.
And when dill you make use of that observation 1312.
He had volitjuolvd to ultvr the rates as late as -I have
looked through all the books front Islo down to the present
time, and I do not ste any alteration since the prosecution was
taken up.
Then the altrtrations appear to have existed for 10 years. frmit
Innt, or from Isol, to psi r—l have not the Iso9-ia books.
lii Isll there do not appear to be any. •
Then during the whole of that period, Mr. Merceron 1134
been in the habit of altering the rates, at his own pleasure i—lt
Ail'

• o;,ear, so.
Does he sign the rates?—Yes, I believe every We.

These rate-hooks are siumed by Mr. lereeroui ?-1 o. •
Vim will feel it your ditty to provide yourst II with further
information, in ease the Committee should summon yam "text
year, to ‘peak more positively as to the alterations: will
take every step for that purpose.

21tirti Examination ui 11r. J. MIN:

You have stated to the Committee in your formes- examints.
film, that considerable alterations had been made in the rates
of the parish of Bet hit for many years past,
rates had been ?--I said that I could never speuk
;14 to that; I had never seen them aitt red. K hen
made by me, Ldeliver it out to the Collectors.
Not beim e it is laid?—Not till a is laid.
State clearly what you do ?—I make out the rate
It is signed by the thureliwardens anti Ovt rsuerso.
mid then it has also the siptaature of the Magistrate
are then delivci ell to the Collectors;tact' t;,k e tb
they uenr.eiume back jut() my hands until situ

10.

s past, Alter tilos
pehik lioili%Orl! It •
14 lieu the rate il'
• I
.3111„=
ate: after %%hie.
ere of the, pitri rt'4;Atf
„;
strait.; the r 4
e the liook, a •
they are Audi
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