The Sun.
London, England, 1829-07-11 00:00:00

PA.ItISII OF ST. ANNE'S, WESTMINSTER.

In consequence of the following circular, a numc-
toils meeting of the inhabitants of the above parish
Was held yesterday in the vestry-room adjoining St.
Anne's church, Soho t

" ST. ANNE, R.
" The inhabitants are respeWESTMlNSTctfully iEnformed, that a
Vestry 'lli be held on Friday next, at ten o'clock in the
isiornihg precisely, to consider a Report then to be made
by a Committee appointed on the 27th of June last, to in-
Vestigate the affairs of Mr. Josh. Davies, the late Collector
Of the Pew Rents, the Receiver of the Churchwardens'
Dues, and one of the Collectors of the Paving Rates ; and
to ascertain the income and expenditure of the church,
and take an account of the church debts ; and also to de-
termine on the measures to be adopted for the recovery of
the balances due from Mr. Davies, and for the payment of
the demands upon the church.
(Signed) "JOHN KELK,
"
THOS. TOMKISON, Churchwardens.
The Rev. Dr. M`LEoD,Rector of the parish, was
unanimously called to the Chair.
The CittAlumAN briefly opened the business of the
'netting by observing, they were met to discuss a
tktwstion of great importance to the parish, which
Would be best explained by the Vestry Clerk reading
the Report of the Committee. He would only say,
he trusted the discussion would be carried on quietly.
Mr. Allen, the Vestry Clerk, being absent from
111ness, the Report of the Committee was read by
his son. It in substance stated, that the Com-
mittee had inquired into the affairs of Mr. Davies,
and found that he was a defaulter in his account
with the parish to the amount of 63G1. 2d.,1
2041, of which he collected out of the paving rates,
without any authority, and the remainder was out
of monies he received from new rents. He was
also a defaulter in his accounts with the Charity
School in the sum of 2351. 10s., viz. '204/. Gs. re-
ceived by him in subscriptions, and 311. 4s. received
for tickets, to commemorate the anniversary of the
Charity. The whole amount of his debts, includ-
ing the above sums, and a debt of 977/. Is. 7d. due
to the Rector, was 2,305/. 6s. 7d., and Isis assets
were sufficient to pay 3s. in the pound. The Com-
mittee therefore recommended to avoid litigation—
that the parish should accept of this sum of 3s. in
the pound with the other creditors.
' Mr. NortmAN said;before the Report was received
he wished to state a circumstance which he con-
Sidered most unwarrantable and overbearing. He
had been appointed one of the Committee to inquire
into the affairs of Davies.—( Mr. Norman here said
he wished the Vestry Clerk had been present, as he
did not like to make accusations behind any person's
bli:k.)---When he entered the Committee-room,
k
Allen said, " Mr. Norman, I will answer the
questions of any individual on the Committee
except yourself, and your's I will not answer." He
considered this most unfair; but he would remind
the Meeting that the day for electing a Vestry Clerk
was near at hand, and there would be another gentle.
man proposed for the situation ; and for the ad-
ministration of justice in the palish, he trusted he
would meet with support.—(Hear.)
Mr. WATTS was present when an angry discus-
sion took place been the Vestry Clerk and Mr.
Norman, but he really thought it arose from the
latter gentleman asking more questions than all the
rest of the Committee together.—(A laugh.)
Mr. KELK—Yes; Mr. Norman was not con-
tent with asking a question once, but he repeated it
several times, and completely stepped the business.
Mr. NORMAN—Because I was interrupted in
every thing that I stated, as is always the case.
Several Parishioners here said, that:in their opinion
the charge against the Vestry Clerk was unfounded,
and
that his conduct had been most proper.
Mr.NORBIAN—WeII, well, this is only the key to
future inquir
who is wrongy:. we shall then see who is right and
On the motion that the Report of the Committee
Mr. NORMAN said it was proper that every item of
the Report should be discussed
separately, for, taken
in the whole, he did notobject. to the substance of
it, but there were some partsj that he did. He
would say it was not that Report which the parish
hadtL_ ..a,right to expect—they ought to have security of
tr Von who collected the rates in future; but
m
Report recommended none; so they might be
exactly- the same state next year as they were at
Present. He was aware the present Churchwardens
141,, d Overseers were respectable men, and he thought
?4eY would look after the parish , affairs; but it was
I:l4nP3ssible to tell what future Churchwardens might
ion,
If an honest man was appointed to the situa-
i he
could have no objection to give security, if
'Ha he
were good. The Churchwardens and
Overseers say there is no occasion for security, as we
_
examine the accounts every month. That might
'.7 the case now; but the history of the parish
showedrs that formerly those officers were mere ci-
rri, and it was not too much to suppose they
ght again become so. The parish were now
etllled upon to pay over again nearly 1,0001. and—
Mr. WOOD spoke to order. What Mr. Norman
was now speaking of might be very good, but it was
irregular as the Report had not been received.
QROn the Motion of Mr. WooD, seconded by Mr.
‘IANT, the Report was then received.
CRAInmAN—I. think the Report had better be
est' clause by clause, for although it was agreed to
.11 Mr. Norman's presence without his objecting,
it 4,PPeared such would not now be the case.
the first clause stating the amount of Davies's
defalcations having been read,
Mr. NORMAN again addressed the meeting. He
could Contend, that the parishioners never ought to
called on for the payment of Davies's deficiencies,
as they arose entirely through the negligence of the
nurchwardens and Overseers. He was sorry that
the Vestry Clerk was not present, as it was his
rout
to have given advice to the parish officers; he
tuhl not plead'ignoratice of the manner in which the
--I,_Blltess was conducted, for he had publicly stated
:iat the Churchwardens and Overseers did not do
their duty, and that he knew of Davies's insolvency
or sortie time past.—(Cries of no, no.)
tamto answer to a question from a Parishioner, it
stated, that the yearly salary Davies received
"he parish amounted to about 3201.
tili7r• WOOD said, it should be borne in
10:) that however they might deplore the
1),-,,; the Charity Schools would sustain by
pa-,4,e4'11. defalcations, yet that did not affect the
b-14-.2ocharity alone would suffer. He did not
ne the Churchwardens and Overseers, for Davies
1114' a Plan of keeping them in ignorance respecting
ts.,..aeconnts.
6„.14r. GRANT said, unless the different items were
•."'lSidered abstractedly the meeting could come to
no satisfactory result, for it would most likely turn
out .that part was owing to the negligence of one
tit'ftCel' and part to another. He was convinced the
nehue:lencies could not in a legal way be made up
47,t of the.poor's rate. Neither could the parties
~,"o had once paid be called on a second time.
tile question, therefore, for the meeting to consider
1.4'4 what plan was to be adopted. He thought the
!Inner Overseers culpable in not examining strictly
oT'
I bevies's accounts at the time they went out of
°filee, for there could be no doubt they had been
defective for years, and the deficiencies ought to
e been deducted out of his salary.—(Several
voices, " yes, certainly.")
;,„Mr- Wooo—Nothing can be more clear than the
possibility .of meeting the tleficiences out of the
tioor rate, unless by consent of a parish meeting.
then is it to be met ?
Mr. NORMAN.—It is proposed to pay it out of the
Nor's-rate.
tMr. WARD—There is no such recommendetion in
he Report, or I, as one of the Committee, would
11'1! opposed it, and the very system of pew.-rates
tit illegal, every house in the parish being entitled to
lLPew in the church free of expence.—(" Yes, 1.-
`"q," from the Rector.)—These rates were in-
tended solely for the repairs of the church, and the
Piurchwarden cannot make us pay for the dQfi-
Parishioner—" You will see they will
hough; we shall have an additional rate.")
a Inr..WOOD—That cannot be, only with the con-
-ent °' the pariah. On the 28th of August last

year Davies 's accounts were audited, there then ap-
peared no deficiency ; but he (Mr. Ward) supposed
he had been rob!,ing Peter to pay Paul—he meant
collecting rates that Were not due to make up the
balance of old ones, which he had applied to his
own purposes. He had no objection to security
being required of the collector, but as it never had
been the practice of the parish, he did not see that
the Churchwardens were at all culpable, unless it
could be shown they had a knowledge of Davies'
manner of keeping accounts before it was generally
known to the parish. He thought their conduct
had been such as entitled them to commendation.

Mr. NORMAN was again about to speak, when lie
was interrupted by several of the parishioners.
Mr. NORMAN—This is the way I am always in-
terrupted. I was about to ask if this sum was to
be paid out of the poor's-rates, which were 3s. Id.
last year, what reliance can we place on the assu-
rance that those rates would be reduced this year?
Several of the COMMITTEE said, it never Was in-
tended to pay it out of the poor's-rates.
The CHAIRMAN—It certainly was proposed thus
to pay it ; but it was afterwards agreed to leave it
for the consideration of the parish.
Mr. BEAUCHAMP—The Vestry Clerk certainly
never suggested such a course; he said it would be
contrary to the Act of Parliament.
Mr. NORMAN—I will again repeat the question.
How is the parish to pay defalcations amounting to
1,0001, and yet have decreased poor's-rates?
Mr. TOMKISON—That is what we have met to
consider.

Mr. GRANT-It appears there is no actual law
to compel us to make good the deficiencies of Mr.
Davies, but how necessary it is that the parish
should liquidate the debt. Mr. Davies is a man
that has been much respected and trusted, and there
has been a great deal said about his defalcations. I
am of opinion further inquiry into his conduct ought
to be made. If the reports in circulation are true,
he ought to be shunned and prosecuted; but if it
arises from unavoidable misfortune, would it not be
charitable and proper to give him another trust. I
will here notice a paragraph in a newspaper of last
Sunday, the News, which stated one of the collec-
tors of St. Anne's, Westminster, had, after em-
bezzling the parish motley, absconded, and left hiS
wife and family. Such statements demand
quiry ; and if his character should turn ont good, let
us retain him in his situation : by so doing, we
should enable him at some future period to liquidate
his deficiencies.

Mr. WooD—We have now a considerable debt,
and I think, under all the circumstances, it would be
prudent to make a rate of a penny or twopence in
the pound to pay it off. The principle of leaving a
debt that we have contracted, for our successors to
pay, is not fair.
Mr. GRANT—This is a new doctrine with Mr.
Wood; he used to think differently.
Mr. WooD—Never, Sir; that was always my
opinion.
Mr. BEAUCHAAIP—I here beg to state, Mr. Davies
newer deserted his wife ; in fact, I believe he has
never been absent from home a single hour since
his defalcations were known, and the reports are
not tine.

Mr. NORMAN agreed with Mr. Grant that further
inquiry ought to take place, and if Davies was
honest, retain him.

The CHAIRMAN—I beg to remind the Meeting,
that it is not in their power to retain Davies. The
gift is not in the parish.
Mr. NORMAN—The inquiry is necessary to decide
whether or not we prosecute him.
Mr. BEAucllAmP—There have been most inju-
rious reports respecting Mr. Davies's character.
CHAIRMAN—We had better not make those re-
ports a subject of discussion.
Several parishioners said there ought to be a ju-
dicial inquiry.
CHAIRMAN—If Mr. Davies was to pay me every
farthing, I am out of pocket in his account, I

would not again employ him. I know a great deal
of the man, therefore all inquiry would be useless.
Several voices—Then let us adjourn the discus-
sion for a week.—(Here there was a general cry of
" No, no," that will do no good.) -
Mr. BEAUCHAMP said Davies had had many losses,
and a great expenditure. Some time since he re-
paired his house, which before he commenced be
thought 2001. would have paid, but the painting
and glazing amounted to 2801. and the whole ex-
pense to 7501.---(" And that was paid out of the
parish money ; shame, shame.")—Mr. B. then en-
tered into a minute statement of the affairs of Mr.
Davies, and contended that he was not in so great
difficulties now as he was is the year 1818.
Mr. GRANT, after this statement, did not think lie
had acted dishonestly, but imprudently. It was
certainly clear that Davies had all along been em-
barrassed, and men in such circumstances seldom
acted prudently; but he did not think that his im-
prudence ought to brand him as a public delinquent.
The CHAIRMAN—I feel called upon to state some
facts. I have borrowed money to enable Davies to
go on, in the hopes he would make all right. I did
not like to refuse my security for fear things should
be worse. I at length, however, demanded to see
his books, when I found he debited me for 291.,
when I was at the very time his creditor for 320/.
(Hear, hear.) _ _

. -
Mr. TomKiNsoN—There is the rent for three
years of a house, that he received, not accounted for.

The CHAIRMAN—When I saw the books it sur-
prised me; at one period, when we made up the ac-
counts, there was 601. due to me. A new account
was commenced, and I afterwards found, instead of
his giving me credit for the 601., he actually made
me his debtor for that sum.—(Hear, hear.)—l gave
him the books back to correct. I should tell you
that he collected the rents of twelve houses for me,
and only returned an account of eleven. When I
pointed this out to him, he said he thought there
were but eleven ; yet he had collected the rents for
12 or 13 years.—(Hear.)
Mr. NORMAN---After such a statement ought
we not at once to institute a prosecution ? It is
shameful for any one to bolster up such a case, and
astonishing to me he is not held up as as a public
delinquent. I hope all future collectors will be
obliged to find security.
The CHAIRMAN said the difficulty in that case
was the expence of the bond.
Mr. ALLEN, jun. said, the expence of a bond for
5001. would not be more than 31.
After a very long and somewhat noisy discussion,
resolutions to the following effect were unanimously
agreed to. That all future collectors should give
security in the amount of 3001. Secondly, That
they should make daily entry of all money received.
Thirdly, That the churchwardens be ordered to in-
vestigate the accounts at least once every month.
Fourthly, That the Churchwardens in future should
give all orders and pay all bills.
The fifth resolution proposed was that the parish
accept of three shillings in the pound for the amount
of Davies's defalcations.
This Resolution led to a long discussion. Mr.
Norman contending that the Paving Board was
liable to make good the sum of 2041.95., the amount
of the defalcation in that rate. Whilst on the other
hand, it was contended that as the money
so collected was without the authority of the Board,
they were not responsible.—ln the midst of which
a parishioner good humouredly observed, " That
the parish would not be inconvenienced. It was
only necessary for so much the less paving to be
done."—(Laughter.)—lt was, however, agreed on
all sides that it would be unfair and unjust to call
on those who had once paid to pay over again, but
if loss must be sustained, it ought to fall on the
parish generally. The Resolution was at length
agreed to.
The next question for the consideration of the
Meeting was, the propriety of continuing Davies
in his situation of Sextun. This, like the lust reso-
lution, led to a great deal of discussion.
The CHAIRMAN said he took a legal opinion on
the subject. He did not pay for it, though.—
(Laughter.)—That opinion was, that if Davies was
dismissed, it must be by a meeting called for the

special purpose ; and even then, he or his friends
might apply to the Court of King's Bench for a
mandamus, and a rule world be granted calling on
the parish to spew cause why they dismissed him,
and the probable consequence would be, when cause
was shewn, that the Court would direct an issue,
and the parish wouli be involved in an expensive
litigation. Under these circumstances he thought it
better for him to he retained in his situation;
although when tAereising:his sacred duties, he would
certainly rather not meet him, because if he forgave
he could not forget.
It was at length agreed that he should hold the
situation of Seaton, without any salary from the
parish, but to receive all the legal fees.
Mr. GRANT said the next question for their con-
sideration was the Church Debt, amounting to
1,0471., 650/. of which bore interest at the rate of
five per cent., but as it was a question.of great im-
portance to the parish, he should move that the con-
sideration of it be 'adjourned for a fortnight, for the
purpose of letting it be generally known amongst the
inhabitants. The motion having been seconded was
agreed to.
Thanks were then voted to the Rector for his able
conduct in the chaiWand the meeting adjourned.

THE SINKING FUND.

(From a Correspondent of the Times.)

By attending to the following particulars, and by
comparing the amount of fresh debt contracted with
old debt redeemed, it will be found that taking the
period from January, 1825, to July, 1829, we have
in reality had no sinking fund whatever.
From the sth January, 1825, to July, 1829, the
sums applied to the discharge of the national debt
appear, according to the quarterly returns of the in-
come and charge on the consolidated fund, to have
amounted, in totaliter, to 19,136,6594
But during the same period fresh ►debt, in various
ways, and to a very large amount, has been con-
tracted.

1. The deficiency bills on the sth of January,
1825, amounted to 1,550,2761.; but on the sth of
July, 1829, the same deficiency bills amount to
7,274,2271.: under this head, therefore, there is an
increase of debt of 5,723,9511.

2. In the year 1826 the 4 per cent. loan, amount-

ing to 8,560,0001. was negociated; and if it should
be objected that of this loan 3,500,0001. was paid
up in Exchequer-bills, and that therefore to this ex-
tent credit must be taken as fur unfunded debt re-
deemed, this will amount to nothing, because in
the following year, 1817, a vote of credit was taken
and fresh Exchequer-bills to the same amount were
re-issued.
The net sum received from the Bank from Ja-
nuary, 1825, to July, 1828, on account of the dead
weight annuity, amounted to 6,707,8701. At this
period (that is, in July, 1828) the transaction was
completed ; nothing has since been received, and in
consideration of these and other monies antece-
dently received from the Bank on-the same account,
we are charged with an annuity of 585,740/.
These being the particulars, the account will
stand thus :

Monies applied by the Sinking Fund to the
redemption of debt, from Jan., 1825, to
July, 1829 £19,136,659
Debt contracted during the same period—
Increase in deficiency bi115...X5,723,951
Four per Cent. Loan, 1826 8,560,000
Received from the Bank on
account of the dead weight

annuity 6,707,870

X 20,991,821

£1,855,162

And therefore the fresh debt contracted exceeds
the old debt redeemed in the sum of 1,855,162/.:
and therefore during the period from' January, 1825,
to July, 1829, there has been no sinking fund, and
the expenditure of the country has exceeded its
income.

Not merely have the operations of the sinking
fund (supported as they hate been by borrowed
money) been entirely illusory, but they have also
been attended with positive loss to the community.
For if we remember right, the four per cent. loan
of 1826 was brought out at 92 per cent., and conse-
quently giving an interest to the subscribers of V.
ss. per cent.; and the dead weight annnity was
sold to the Bank upon terms which were also equiva-
lent to about 4J,. ss. per cent. in a permanent annuity,
and this borrowed money having been laid out in the
purchase of Consols and Reduced, at prices giving
about 33- per cent. interest for money, the difference
between the rate at which the money was borrowed,
and at which it was laid out, is equivalent to 181.
15s. per cent. in the four per cent. stock, which, on
15,300,0001., amounts to a capital of '2,869,250/.
in a four per cent. stock.

SUMMER ASSIZES.

NORTHERN CIRCUIT.

Before Mr. Justice BAYLEY and Mr. Justice LITTLEDALE,
Yorkshire and City--Aug. 1, at York.
Durham—Aug. 15, at Durham.
Northumberland—Aug. 19, at Newcastle.
Cumberland—Aug. 22, at Carlisle.
Westmoreland—Aug. 27, at Appleby.
Lancashire—Aug. 29, at Lancaster.

WESTERN CIRCUIT.

Before Lord Chief Justice TINDAL and Mr. Justice BUR

FLouGH.
Hampshire—July 27, at Winchester.
Wiltshire—Aug. 1, at New Sarum.
Dorsetshire—Aug. 6, at Dorchester.
Devonshire—Aug. 10, at Exeter.
Cornwall—Aug. 17, at Bodmin.
Somersetshire—Aug. 22, at Bridgewater.
Bristol—Aug. 29, at Bristol.

Lord and Lady GRANTHAM gave an elegant
ball on board their yacht, off Greenwich, on Wednesday
evening, to a select circle of fashionables, not exceeding 60
persons. It was one of the most beautiful sights we have
witnessed for some time. The boom of the yacht was
brilliantly illuminated, and the deck was very tastefully
fitted up as a ball-room. At ten o'clock dancing com-
menced, and was kept up with great spirit till three
o'clock. Quadrilles, waltzes, and galloper were danced
during the evening. The whole of the arrangements were
contrived with great taste and superior skill, and all went
off with great eclat.

QUICK WORK.—On Thursday night a noto-
rious thief, Wil.r.tim Hooc, stole a footman's great coat
from the box of the lion. Miss Fox's carriage, in attend-
ance at the Opera Douse. He was apprehended on the
spot by IVIMY, an officer of Queen-square, committed for
trial at the Westminster Sessions, and at four o'clock yes-
terday (Friday) afternoon received sentence of seven years'
transportation,—being just 20 hours from the time of com-
mitting the offence.

DOG FISH.—It was mentioned in our last,
that the dog fish have made their annual visit to the Frith,
and as they are making dreadful havoc among the haddocks
and fishing apparatus, it is to be apprehended that they
have arrived in more than their usual numbers. These
unwelcome visitors are as epicurean as they are voracious :
they visit the captive fish for the whole length of the line,
tasting them as they glide along, devouring the best, and
leaving the heads alone to the fishermen. On Thursday
last seven men set out from Newhaven in one boat, and
shot their lines off the Isle of May. On drawing them
they found that the dogs, besides 300 fish, had robbed
them of 700 fish hooks, and the fish into the bargain. On
that day the smallest haddocks sold at 35., and the largest
at 9s. a hundred. Taking the average at 65., this was a
dead loss of 3/., besides the destruction of their lines, which
the men at one trip suffered from these fierce and voracious
creatures.—Scotsman.

In the ministerial reign of Sir R. WALPOLE,
it was the practice to purchase honour, either by money
paid, or by the discharge of debts due from the Crown, of
which the following is a remarkable instance :—The Duke
of MoNTAGuE, as Master of the Wardmote, had, on ac-
count of his office, a demand on the Crown for the sum of
near 40,0001., which not being convenient for the Trea-
sury to pay, it was agreed between the Minister and his
Grace, that thirty-six Knights of the Bath should be cre-
ated, each to pay for the honour 1,0001. His Grace to be
at the head of the creation, by which means he was satis-
fied his debt, and gratified with a dignity without expence.
Is not this the way to make titles as plentiful as red her-
rings

UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD, JULY l 1.-On Thursday last Mr. Frederic
Wickham was admitted actual Fellow of New College.

On Sunday se'nnight the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop
of Gloucester hell a general Ordination in the Cithedral,
when the following persons were admitted into Holy