Star.
London, England, 1827-08-30 00:00:00

ST. MARTIN IN THE FIELDS.

A Petty Session was held yetterdsy morning at the
Vestry-room of the Parish of St. Martin•in-the-Fieds,
' for the purpose of hearing Appeals against the Paving
and other Rates. The Magistrates present were Mr.
BECKETT and Mr. ANNAND,
The only case of importance was that of Mr. Fenn,
of Charing-cross, who was lately defendant in an action
brought against him by the Vicar and Churchwardens
of that parish in support of the authority of a Select
Vestry. The case was tried in May 14 t by a Special
Jury, before Lord Tenterden, and a verdict gained by
the plaintiffs. A rule has since been granted by the
Court of King's Bench, calling oa the plaintiffs to chew
cause why a new trial should not take place, or a con-
sultation, to determine whether the verdict be sufficiently
explicit to warrant a judgment upon it?
The issue or question for the Jury to decide was,
whether the custom of a Select Vestry had existed in
the parish of St. Martin-tn-ther-Fields from time imme-
morial ? For the defence, a great variety of documentary
evidence was produced, by which the Special Jury fon d
that the custom of a Select Vestry had existed from
time immemorial. The question, both in point of law
and fact, is, however, still before the Court of King',
Bench; and, under these circumstances, Mr. Fenn ap-
pealed against the Rates, which he deemed to be levied
without proper authority.
Being called on to state the reasons on sthichbe
grounded his appeal, Mr. Fenn declared that he, as 311
inhabitant householder of that parish, had no know-
ledge of any man or body of men having the lardel
power to tax or rate the parishioners. He tinned,
therefore, that the Magistrates, sitting there to do justice
between the parties called before them, would, for their
own satisfaction, as well as for that of the parish, cam
the plaintiffs, whoever they might be, to come forward
and prove, by sufficient evidence, that they were legally
appointed, and duly qualified to tax or rate the pa.
rishioners ; and, in case of objection, entitled lawfully
to enforce the payment of the taxes or rates so levied.
The Mactteweras stated, that it was no part of their
duty to inquire into the authority of the Select VesuT•
The rate must be paid.
Mr. Fenu then read an extract from one of the Local
Acts for the government of the parish, with the view
of founding an objection on the irregular mode in which
the Commissioners for levying these rates had beet
appointed.
The Macarritaras stopped the objection irs /incite,
on the same ground as before ; and confirmed the rAte
generally.

Fencing is now being raised round St. Georges Hos.
pital, at Hyde Park Corner, preparatory to the alteatioar
about to be made in such building.
The two east wings of Sunderland Barracks are now
nearly pulled down, and although it is above t' hit
years since they were erected, the timber (being built of
wood) is nearly as fresh as when first put together.
Thursday, the foundation stone of a new poor•howe
for the township of Bishopwearmoutb, was laid by the
Rev. Otolltil STRPHRNSOW.
Henrietta Maria, the relict of Charles I. and daugh-
ter of the illustrious Henry IV. King of France, was to
duced to such a state of poverty, that she and her &ugh•
ter, who was afterwards married to the brother of Lotus
XIV. lay in bed several days, at Paris, for want of file
to warm them, in the month of January, 1649.
PARIS, AUGUST IS.--The Censors. it appears, hire
put their veto upon the publication of the list of the abandon
to the Canning medal. Amongst thew who have already Kg
down their names are Messrs. C. Dupin, Etienne' Gilbert do
Volans,and Rothschild, foe 5001. r. the proprietors of the Cotton.
tiennsi, SOofr. Benjamin Delessert, sunk. Alexandre de fa Rut*
faucauld, SO fr. Las Cases, jun. tOOfr. Terneaux. the rich OOP
helium, only SOfr. M. Paraney, sofr. h Lalitta, Soot The
Viscounts Cluiteaubriand and Osmond are also anattopt the N
ctibers. More than 4,ooSfr. have been already sabseribel
A Coetu. FaACAS.-.Sunday last a scene of great
confusion occurred at a (.'bagel in the vicinity of town. The re-
pricing of the Chapel permits any tradesman, residing withal tie
district of the Chapel, to held forth on a Sunday. While a bride
was holding forth, three men, bricklayers, walked up so the plaiP4
and demanded their wages, which they alleged were dee roc thaw
week, which so enraged the builder that be endeavoured to tura
them outs The proprietor of the Chapel came to his wistaria
when the fellows attacked and beat the two Gentlemen in a omit
brutal manner, leaving them both prostrate on the chapel fievr•
Tuesday se'nnight, Mr. JAHR* CHARLTON, Of 13'''
lingham, innkeeper, was ulifoitunati ly drowned in at'
tempting to cross the Tyne, near that place, on his vof
home from Hexham market.
This forenoon, between nine and ten o'clock, a vel
distressing occurrence happened neat Charing•ctos. A
carter in the employ pf Messrs. FORMER, THISIILTOSi
and CHAPaIAN, the coal merchants, was riding on the
shafts of the dray, and by some accident losing his ba'
lance, he fell, and the wheels passing over his leg"
crushed them in a fearful manner. He was remoreJ
in a state of insensibility to a surgeon's, and fill'
thence carried on a shutter to the Infirmary. Similir
Accidents have frequently occurred through the careitt
pr.tctice of carters riding on the shafts.