The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-10-30 00:00:00

VESTRY MEETING.

Yesterday, a general meeting was held in St. Nicholas'
church, for the purpose of " the minutes of the proceedings,
resolutions, orders, and transactions, of the select vestry,
and of all sums received, applied, and expended by them ;
together with a summary or report of the accounts and tran-
sactions of the select vestry being laid before the inhabi-
tants."

Mr. Isaac Hutchinson, one of the churchwardens, was
called to the chair, and the notice convening the meeting
having been read,
Mr. Hart produced the accounts of the select vestry for
the last six months, and read them. It appeared that the
sum of £15,974 Ils. Id. had been received in that period,
and that after paying all expenses, a balance remained due
to the bankers of £6,777 15s. 9d.
Mr. Downie complained thata sum of £1,124 17s. Gd. had
been illegally expended, in defending the private interests of
the warehouse owners, and that £lOO paid to Mr. Wain-
wright was a job. He was, at the same time, of opinion,
that the select vestry had performed its duty efficiently, and
been economical in its expenditure.
Mr. Birkett in answer stated, that the sum named by Mr.
Downie had been spent by the authority of two previous ley-
payers' meetings, not in promoting the private interests of
the warehouse owners, but in defending the interests of the
rate-payers, which were materially affected by the intended
new dock bill, the borough watch rates bill, and the inland
bonding bill. The payment to Mr. Wainwright had also
been made under the authority of a general vestry. At the
present meeting, however, Mr. Downie could not move a
condemnutory motion, nor could he (Mr. Bit kett) propose a
recommendatory onei but he should be able to show to the
annual meeting at Easter that the select vestry had been
better friends to the inhabitants than they had had for many
years. _ _ .

Mr. Lowndes, the clerk, at the request of Mr. Downie,
read from the minutes the several powers given by the gene-
ral vestry to oppose the bills named above, and for the pay-
ment to Mr. Wainwright.
Mr. Downie then expressed himself satisfied that the se-
lect vestry had acted with authority, but he complained that
sufficient notice was not given of the intention to hold vestry
meetings, and suggested that the bellman should be employed
to announce them.
The Chairman and Mr. Birkett stated, that the meeting,
which was the first the present officers had called, had been
advertised in every newspaper from last Saturday to this
day without distinction.
Mr. Downie wished to protest against the expenditure of
the money he had mentioned, but he was told he could not,
as the meeting was merely one proforma to submit the ac-
counts, and no other subject could be discussed without spe-
cial notice. At the next meeting, at Easter, however, the
items would again come before the leypayers, and they might
be then discussed.

Mr. H. T. Atkinson and Mr. J. Clarke expressed their
opinion that the money had been paid contrary to law, but
said they should postpone their observations till the next
vestry. Thanks were then voted to the chairman and the
meeting separated.