Star.
London, England, 1829-07-09 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.

Sra,—Permit me through the medium of your ably conducted
Paper to correct an erroneous impression which has gone abroad
amongst the rate payers of this parish, respecting the fate of Mr.
Hobbousee motion before the House of Commons for inquiry con-
cerning the self elected and irresponsible Vestry system in general.
The Select of Se. Mary-U.4°one and their adherents have in-
dustriously circulated throughout that immense Parish, that because
Parliament was prorogued before the evidence was completed, and
a Report thereon made, the inquiry is got rid of fur ever; and that
it appeared front what evidence had been takes that the rata
payers were satisfied that the system could not be improved.
I am willing to grant that one part of the assertion is correct
enough, via. that the House adjourned before the w►ole of t►e
evidence was gone through, and that, in consequence, no report
could be made; but I deny that on that or on any other account
the matter is set at rest.

Every man who does not wilfully wean to misrepresent the
practke of the House of Commons, with a view to deceive,
must be aware that similar circumstances occur almost every Ses-
sion, and that it is the Cu, when Parliament resume their sittings
for some Member to move for the appointment of a Committee to
proceed upon such or such a subject, and that the evidence already
taken be laid before them; and it is always granted as a matter of
COMO.

In order to convince yourself and your numerous Readers how
far the Select are correct in saylog the evidence already adduced
has satisfied the householders, I will, with your leave, extract a
few lines from a paper printed for the House of Commons, and
leave the public to judge where the credence is due between us.

The Vestry Clerk admits that the Vestrymen elect themeless and
their successors; that the election is fur life, provided the party at-
ted once in two years; that It frequently happens members do not
attend at all. and just before the two years expire they are written
to. informing them that unless they attend before such a day they
wi,l vacate their seat; that this has produced no effect—they
become ineligible, go out, and are immediately re elected;
that the Vestry, from their own body, elect Magistrates to
hold Petty Sessions; they choose guardians of the poor; they
mike rates. expend the same, audit their own accounts, and are
under no mourns!, as there is osi appeal but to themaelves. He
fusilier allows the system to be bad. One Vestryman, a 111. P.
and forty years in sake, admits the whole plan to be bad, dais-
serous in its consequences, and oppressive in its operation ; that
be would have appealed against many acts of the Vestry, had
there been any mode of redress pointed oat in the local Acts for
governing the parish.

The Rector allows that the parishioners are very discontented
with the present Vestry system; that be regularly attends the
meeting of Vestry, and is mostly la the Chair; that the Vestry.
men always adjourn for so many months in the year; that the
Clerk has leave of absence, and the whole affairs of the Parish are
left to the we of the underlings ; that In many respects the present
Vestry system is detrimental to the interests of the Parish, and
that a change would be beneficial.

An Rut India merchant, well known and often appealed to in
It:china cases In the mercantile world, from his great powers of
calcaledon. says before the Home that the parish accounts exhi.
hired for the teu years, by the order of the House. are so coostruet-
ed, that it is impossible to say whether the balance is correct within
ten thousand pounds. That the Inc principle in bosh-keeping is
not distinguished by the accountant, in the debtor and creditor side
not being correct.
It less been clearly shown, that the Select make false entries in
their books to deceive.

In one year there was vent stem to a diaper, and As only of
this suas was carried to account soder its proper head of charge,
Ids. the peraseholatioa ; the other accooats for wise, &a ace. were
charged to clothing for the poor, provisions for the poor, gm sad'
some to the paring rate.

That tbey have exceeded tbe powers vested in than by Acts of
ParWloent.•

In ins, shorno was raised wee the Pavia( Bate sea applied
is aid et the Mardi Bats.
In i Bs*. that had pswar to tales .110.000. ballet aspoo swards
eat:lid Ow feet disuiet Chetahs@ which Gevasamet was wheel.