The Sun.
London, England, 1824-11-20 00:00:00

PARISH OF GREENWICH.

A numerous Vestry Meeting of the Inhabitants
of Greenwich took place in the Church yesterday evening, for
the purpose of considering the accounts of former Church-
wardens, Overseers, Vestry-clerk, &c.
Mr. RITCHIE having taken the Chair,
Mr. HAMMOND moved that the bills of the late Vestry-clerk
and Solicitor be taxed ; and that the Governors and Directors
be empowered to take such steps as might be necessary for the
recovery of any rum disallowed upon the same.
Mr. PRATT asked what was unjust in the late Vestry-
clerk's accounts? This business evidently originated in malice ?
for Mr. Bicknell offered to have his bill taxed two years ago.
Mr. Hasistorm observed, that if Mr. Bicknell offered to
have his bill taxed two years ag►o, there could be no harm in
taxing it now. He disavowed any hostile feeling towards Mr.
Bicknell.

After some discussion, the motion was carried.
Mr. HAMMOND then moved, that the overseers of last year
be called upon to render their accounts verified upon oath ; and
that the Governors and Directors be empowered to take the ne-
cessary steps for the recovery of any sums which should appear
to have been illegally spent. The worthy Gentleman com-
mented upon the items composing the accounts which they had
passed, observing, that out of 1,1991. which they had received,
it appeared that only 2171. had gone to the poor ; of the rest.
due, 289/. had gone for weekly dinners direct; 3471. for re-
movals, also including dinner-charges ; and 158/. to beadles
and constables—this sum, in like manner, including charges
for dinners.
. _ _

EnwAnns objected to Mr. Hammond's mentioning ge.
neral sums ; let him give the particulars.
11r. HAMMOND pledged himself for the accuracy of his state•
ments.

Mr. RENNET defied the overseers to show any Act of Par.
liament authorizing them to appropriate sums of money in this
way out of the parish funds to defray the expence of dinners
for themselves. It WAS no answer to say that the practice had.
subsisted for a long time; for the longcontinuance of an iUegal
and bad practice did not warrant Its being made permanent.
Mr. SUTER (the present vestry-clerk) on being appealed to,
said that the poor laws did not warrant the expences for dinners
to be defrayed out of the parish funds. He merely stated this
as a dry point of law ; but he begged to be understood as taking
no part on one side or the other in the present discussion.
Mr. BAKER put In a written statement in explanation of the
late overseers' accounts. _ _

blr. HAMMoNn said that the present overseers had reduced
the expenditure in three quarters by b,OOO/.
Mr. BALER observed that they (the present overseers) had
not carried on anyiworks as the others had.
Mr. I.l.ammolin said the rate was reduced to a shining, and
he expected to see it reduced to Ott.
After some conversation, and not a little confusion, the re-
solution was passed unanimously.
Mr. HAMMOND then presented the different reports of the
Committee appointed to investigate the parish accounts hack to
the year 1817 ; which, upon being read by the vestry-clerk, gave
rise to a great deal of irreular discussion ; particularly that
part which stated that Mr. Loolan had allowed a reduction in
certain rents without consulting the parish.
Mr. Tootax said, that the reduction was made, not by him,
but at the desire of the feoffees.
Several resolutions were passed relating to these reports, con-
demning the extravagant expenditure they pointed out ; direct.
ing steps to be taken to recover the sums illgally paid; and
laying down regulations to be observed in granting church-rates
In future.
Thanks were then voted to the Committee for their exertions;
and to Mr. Ritchie for his conduct in the Chair; after which,
the meeting separated at a late hour.
We understand that proceedings have been resorted to In the
Court of King's Bench against the present Committee.