The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-04-20 00:00:00

ANNUAL GENERAL VESTRY.

The Annual General Meeting of the Parishioners of Liver-
pool, was held on Tuesday, at St. Nicholas's church, for the
purpose of receiving the report of the select vestry of the past
year, and for the dispatch of the usual parochial business.
The Rev. Rector Birooxs took the chair.
The Secretary, Mr. Eckersley, read the report of the select
va ;try, and afterwards the parish accouras.
Mr. JOSEPH COOpstemoved that the accounts be passed, and
that an abstract of them, with the renort, be inserted once in
each of the Liverpool newspapers. The motion was seconded
by a parishioner and carried.
Mr. JOSKPII COOPER said the dem-'nd of the parish on the
corporation now amounted to nearly nine thousand pounds, and,
in a very short time, it would reach fourteen thousand pounds,
It was time something should be done in respect to the matter.
The people would, in the event of some settlement not .taking
place, be called upon to contribute to the payment of a rale
with which they had, properly, nothing tp du. It was time they
should go to parliament on the subject, or endeavour, iu some
way, to get the matter adjusted.
Mr. LowNnEs,said, after the last rate was laid, the corpo-
ration entered an appeal, on the subject of which, yarious in-
terviews had taken place between himself and the Town-clerk.
The result was the arrangement of a special case, in which the
only question' was, whether the corporate estate, under the
Municipal Act, was liable to a rate. That was now toe only
point to be arranged. It was an exceedingly short case, and
was now before the Court of Queen's Bench. He was assured
by the Town-clerk that application would be made to have it
brought forward immediately, and that on account of its great
importance to the public, every means would be used to bring
it to a speedy issue. (Cheers)•
On the motion of Mr. HEywooh, seconded by. Mr. RioLEY,
Mr. William Huson and Mr. William Gladstone were ap-
pointed churchwardens for the ensuing year.
The Sallie gentlemen recorntneeded Mr. John Kilshaw and
Mr. William Wright as sidesmen which was also carried unani-
mously.
Messrs. Joseph Gibbon, William Rushton, William Wal-
thew, proposed by the same gentlemen, were appointed over-
seers of the parish for the ensuing year.
Mr. William Roberts and Mr. John Briscoe were appointed
churchwardens of St. Paul's, and Mr. Robert M‘Kee and, Mr.
Thomas Stretch were appointed churchwardens of St.-John's;
proposed and seconded by Mr. Hay wool) and Mr. RtPLEY.
A list of the gentlemen who are to constitute the select
vestry for the ensuing year was read, and the resolution pro-
posing them confirmed.
At the request of Mr. Henshaw, the Secretary stated the
number of times each gentleman had attended. The statement
was declared perfectly satisfactory.
On the motion of Mr. HEYWOOD, seconded by Mr. COOPER,
the vestry-clerk was re-appointed, with the same duties and
emolnuients as last year.
Mr. HEywooo said, their next duty was the appointment of
treasurer. As, however, the resignation of their late respected
treasurer, Mr. Dickson, bad just been sent in, he thought it
would be necessary to postpone the appointment, as they had
not had time to give the'subject the consideration it required.
He should propose the thanks of the parishiouers be given to
Mr. Dickson for his great services during the twenty years that
he had acted in the capacity of parish treasurer:
ss• -srm4o,l
acclamation.
The Rev. CHAIRMAN said, it was proper to inform the meet-
ing that a special vestry would be called for the purpose of ap-
pointing a treasurer.
In reply to a question from a parishioner. Mr. LowNnEs
said, it was the busiuess of the parishioners at ameeting like the
present, to renew the appointment of officers, but he did not
believe it would be legal to appoint a new officer without giving
a public notice of the intention.
Mr. H ARBOR D was of opinion, that there were many officers
who could combine the duties of treasurer with those of the
situation which they then held, and this might be effected in
such a manner as to save a considerable annual sum. He be-
lieved that Mr. Charles Hart, who had for some time past filled
the office of rate-book clerk, would be able, with the assistance
of a clerk, to perform the duties of treasurer. He should pro-
pose, therefore, that Mr. Hart he appointed to the office of
treasurer, in addition to that of rate-book clerk, and that his
salary be £301) per annum. That lie also be allowed to appoint
a clerk, subject to the approval of the select vestry, for whom a
salary of £BO should be allowed.
Mr. lKtwoon said, that was the subject which they had had
under consideration, hut they had not thought it right to decide
too quickly on such a change.
Mr. HARBOR!) said, his object was to select a perion who had
been long in office under the parish, and who, from his experi-
ence, would be able at once to enter upon the duties. Mr.
Hart, with whom he had not communicated on time subject, had
been long in the service of the parish, and his conduct had
secured him high esteem

Mr. BRENNAN asked, if this were the proper meeting during
which they should proceed to the appointment of a treasurer?
It was explained to Mr. Brennan, that though they perhaps
could not legally proceed to the appointment of a new treasurer,
yet, they were competent to the combination of that office with
any other existing one.
Mr. 131MNNAN said, then he should second the motion of M r.
Harbord.

The CHAIRMAN said, unless any gentleman had an amend-
ment to offer, he should at once proceed to put the motion.
Mr. PARKER bore testimony to the excellent conduct of Mr.
Hart, and to his competency for the performance of the duties
of both offices. He thought the vestry was in a position to
proceed at once to the combination of the two offices,' and he
thought they could not do better than to fix upon the appoint-
ment of Mr. Hart.
Mr. 11Annotto remarked, that the change which he pro-
posed would reduce the cost for the performance of the duties of
treasurer 100 per cent.
Mr. SLATER said, he approved of Mr. Harbord's suggestion,
inasmuch as the assessed taxes were not now so heavy as they
were whin Mr. Dickson was appointed. He would, therefore,
recommend that that the bond should not be so large as it had
been. He understood that Mr. Ashlin, who had the care of a
nearly equal amount os money, was oily called upon for a bond
of £4OOO.
LowN DES said, the proper course would be first to re-
appoint Mr. Hart assistant-overseer of the poor.
A motion to the above effect was put and carried.
Mr. Low N DES sairl, it now rested with the vestry to definetbe
duties of Mr. Hart, as assistant overseer. The proposition
was, that in addition to the duties of assistant-overseer, he
should perform thOse Of parish treasurer.
Mr. BRENNAN asked why it was that a gentleman who was
to undertakt the duties of two officers was to have the salary
reduced to £3OO per annum, when the late treasurer hact£soo
per annum for that;gffice alone?
Mr. HARBORD ssid. the duties were not so heavy now as for-
merly, in consequence of the reduction of the assessed taxes.
The salary of Mr. Hart was now £250 per annum. He thought
that gentlenta.n.would gladly undertake the additional duties For
the other £5O, with the assistance which he was to receive by
having a clerk. His salary could he raised at their next meet-
ing, it it were found that he had fulfilled his duties in a manner
that would warrant such a proceeding.
Mr. BRENNAN proposed that the salary of Mr. Hart for the
two offices should he £4OO per annum.
The motion was not seconded.
Mr. H Evwoon moved that Mr. Hart should be allowed £lOO.
a year as the salary for his clerk.
A PAarsuroNEl: proposed, that Mr. Hart should he allowed
a salary of £lOO. per annum; and that he be directed to provide
his own clerk out of that sum.

Mr. H AftBORD said, it ought to be distinctly stipulated that
the additional hundred a-y.ear was-to Le paid as the sal•+rr of a
clerk.

The motion was put, that Mr. Hart be appointed to the offices
of rate-book-clerk and treasurer, at a salary of £3OO. per an-
num, with power to appoint a clerk subject to the approval of
the vestry, for which clerk a salary of £lOO. per annum was to
be allowed. Carried unanimously. ,
Mr. SLATER proposed, that the security be reduced from
£5OOO. to £3O(X). which was agreed to.

iir:6;;;;a; re-appointed with the same duties es before.
Mr. Evans,..Mr. P:ckersley, and the collectors, were appointed
to their several situations, with the same duties and emoluments
as last year.
Mr. and Mrs. Dowdall were appointed governor and matron
of the Workhouse during the next year, with the same duties
and emoluments.

Mr. RIPLEY proposed, that the sum of £2O. be given to Mrs.
Dowriall, as a gratuity fur her excellent conduct as matron of
the Workhouse.

Several gentlemen seconded this motion ; hut Mr. Walthew
was at length named as the seconder.

The motion was carried amid much applause.
The Rev. William Tyrer and Mr. B. Nightingale were re-
appointed to the offices of chaplain and surgeon to the work.
house.
On the motion of Mr. IlErwooo, seconded by severs' gen-
tlemen, it was resolved that the same stipend as last year be
continued to the rectors and curates. Carried unanimously
amid much applause.
-
The liev. CH AIRmAN returned thanks in the name of himself
and his fellow-clergymen.
Mr. HEYWOOU said, their next duty was to consider the pro-
priety of increasing the present church-rate. They had found
.that unfortunately the:rates had not been sufficient to keep the
church from- debt. • The parishioners, he, believed, would not
like to see their names in the Gazette... To avoid a matter so
unpleasant, he would propose, thas. instead of the rate of one
penny, as heretofore, the rate be'increased to three halfpence.
That sum would be sufficient to enable them to pay all the ar-

rears, and to keep out of debt, which would relieve their minds,
and make them more comfortable as guardians of the church.
The motion was seconded by Mr. ANDREWS, and carried
unanimously.
It was next resolved, that the usual sum of £5O. should be
paid to each of the parish clerks, in lieu of th'e fees for the bills
of mortality; that the usual S(X) guineas should be granted to
the Dispensary. and 200 guineas to the Northern Hospital on
the Caine terms as formerly.

The thanks of the meeting were voted to the honorary phy-
sicians and surgeon of the workhouse, Doctors Macrorie and
Gouthwaite, and Mr. M'Culloch, for their services during the
past year.

It was proposed by Mr. HEYWOOD, that the grant of £122.105.
to the Rev. Mr. Pulford, for his long services as curate, be con-
tinued.

Mr. Hs RBORD thought the parish was not called upon to con-
tribute this sum for the support of Mr. Pulford. He moved, as
an amendment, that the grant be not continued, on the grounds
of its illegality.
Mr. PLATT said, the grant had now been made for two years,
and when they considered the long services of Mr. Pulford, he
thought it would be a hard case indeed if it were to be with-
drawn.
A PARISHIONER asked -111 r. Pulford had any other means of
support than this grant.
Mr. PIA TT.—None 'whatever I assure you, sir.

Mr. HARBORD withdrew his amendment and the motion was
carried.

M. HEYWOOD, in a low tone, addressed the gentlemen in the
pew.next to him. We understood. him to say that there was a
deficiency in the number of commissioners under the act for
keeping churches in repair. The number, we understood him
to say, should be 43 and they were only 27. It was his wish that
lire full number should he filled up.
Mr. LOWNDES said, the commissioners in all amounted to a
great number. The rectors, all the churchwardens and the
members of the council were ez (gel° members of the com-
mittee.

A list of the gentlemen whom it was proposed to add to the
committee was read by Mr. Lowndes, and the resolutions was

passed.
Mr. SLATER. seconded by Mr. WA I TIIIEW, moved that the
thanks of the parishioners be presented to Mr. Henry Ripley
and Mr. Richard Heywood, late churchwardens, for their effec-
tive services during the past year.
The motion was put and carried amid much applause.
On the motion of Mr. HENstitw the thanks of the parish-
ioners were voted to the overseers and select vestry of the past
year.
• Mr. Ford said, he had to move, that an application be made
to parliament on behalf of the parish. for an act conferring
power to assess the Liverpool Dock Estate. (Cheers.) He
stood forward on that aecasion as a parishioner only, and not as
a political partisan; and he thought he had a right to bring be-
fore that meeting a subject which was of so much importance to
his fellow-parishioners. (Cheers.) The dock estate of Liver-
pool was peculiarly situated. It was said, that it was an estate
which no man had an individual interest, and consequently that
it ought not to he "assessed. He thought, however, that they
would be justified in going to parliament for powers to bring it
under contribution to the parish. He believed that it was in the
Bth of Queen Anne, that the corporation of Liverpool first went
to parliament for power to construct a dock; for which dock the
corporation themselves gave the land. The trade of the port in-
creased so rapidly, that in the reign of George the second, the
corporation again applied to parliament for power to construct
the Salt house Dock and the Dry Dock, for which they also g..ve
the land.. Subsequently, as the trade of the port continued to (n-
-crease, application was again made to parliament for fresh powers,
and the George's Dock was made, for which the corporation also
gave land, as well as for other docks. The trade of the port con-
tinued increasing to such an extent that twoyears ago it y ielded
£200,000 per annum. He thought he should be justified in stating
that the estate would not suffer in the most minute degree, by
being assessed to :lie parish rates. The docks' of this town
were the means of attracting an immense number of the labour.
ing population front Ireland and other places, who came under
the notion that they should gain imploytnent. These individu-
als prisbably fell sick, and thus became a burden'upon the
parish, or they died, and left others who had been dependent
upon them, to be supported by the tradesmen of Liverpool.
Under these considerations alone, he thought they ought to
apply for the powers which he had named. There were gentle-
men in Liverpool who were realizing princely incomes through
the docks, yet these gentlemen did not live in this parish. They
resided in the neighbouring townships, and did not contribute
to the support of that parish where their income was made. On
this ground, also, he thought they would he justified in apply-
ing for powers to assess the dock estate. They would not, as
had been stated, be sapping the interest of trade by such a
course. It was to the interest of this town that all trades should
be equally fostered, and not that one should be cherished and
encouraged at the expense of all others. It was to their inte-
rest that manufacturers should be encouraged to settle in the
town as well as merchants. But manufacturers would not
come while they saw that such an extensive estate as that of
the Liverpool docks did not pay a halfpenny to the parish. The
only parties who took any alarm at this measure were the pro-
prietors of the dock bonds. They bad no occasion for alarm on
the subject. If the dock estate could at one time reduce the
tonnage dues 381 per cent., surely they could afford a small
sum per cent. for the relief of the poor. The dock bonds
would still be discharged in a reasonable time. lie did not see
why the present generation should do all for posterity; he
thought posterity should be left to pay its share. Iu the year
1835 the parish authririties did assess the estate for the relief of
the poor. The estate refused to pay it, and the subject was re-
ferred to the Quarter Sessions. Ultimately it was agreed that
a case should go before the Court of Queen's Bench. It was
decided that the estate was public property, and in that respect
like a dissenter's chapel; consequently it could not be assessed.
Mr. Ford concluded by moving the resolution.
Mr. COOPER said he had great pleasure in seconding that
motion. He.could not but express his astonishment that the
parishioners should have allowed the dock estate to remain so
lung without assessment, when it was considered how many
poor the docks were the ineaus of bringing to this town The
Dock Committee were atmut to erect warehouses on the quays
of the docks. When they were about to convert the land on
the verge of the docks to such a use, it was evident that they
ought to he made liable to the payment of rates.
warehouse- property of Liverpool
contributed full one-fifth to the payment .r ,e,, isarni:hiol rata A.
It would be a matter of injustice if the dock estate did nut pay
its proportion.
Mr. DovEn said, he and Mr. Harbord were warehouse keep-
ers to some extent, and it was evident to them, that the conse-
quence of the measure of the Dock Trustees would be to throw
additional burdens on the inhabitants of Liverpool. Mr. 1-lay-
bond add he had heen very considerable losers lately, but they
were determined nut to go oil losing ally more. They bad ex-
pected that matters would improve, and in-this expectation they
bad continued for some time past. But their hopes had been
blighted. If this matter went on, the warehouses, which now
paid one-fifth of the income orthe parish, 4
of use, and the burden would necessarily, be thrown on the
tradesmen and other inhabitants. The Dock Committee were
going to build warehouses, which would riot yield two per cent.
with Money which they would have to borrow, and for which
they would have to pay interest at four per cent. The Dock
Committee's proceedings were so secret, that it was impossible
for any one to know what they were. They carried on all their
business with closed doors, and not a reporter was allowed to
enter. As 4 appeared that they had lowered the tonnage duties
latelyt o
they o
agreat
ought
to p
extent, theyay must be very full of cash, and
therefore
Mr. Hatinortn said, of those who had voted for the measure
in question, it was scarcely necessary to say that scarcely any
of theta-had any property in bricks and mortar.—(Hear.)
The motion was put by the Chairman and carried unani-
mously, amid much applause.
The thanks of the assembly were voted to the Chairman, after
which the meeting separated

TI-1 t' LI V Kltrool, DARD