The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-04-24 00:00:00

ANNUAL GENERAL VESTRY.

The annual Easter Vestry for the parish of Liverpool, for
the reception of the report and accounts of the select vestry,
for the election of officers, and the despatch of other usual
parochial business, was held on Tuesday, at twelve o'clock,
in St..Nicholas's Church, the Rev. Jonathan Brooks, in the
chair.

The Secretary, Mr. JAMES ECKERSLEY, read the report,
the points of which we need not enumerate, as the document
is_ already before the public.
Mr. HART read an abstract of the accounts.
On the question being put, that the accounts do pass—
Mr. BIGHAM said there were several items in the accounts
which consideration. He was glad, however, to find, that
the general expenditure exhibited signs of having been well

conducted. Therg was one point to irhich he took exception.
He was of oPiiiicin, that the expenses incurred in those de-
putations to London, which were set forth, in the accounts,
to have been per order of the vestry, upon the " prisons bill"
and the " watch rate bill," should not pass. Here were
three deputations from the parish of Liverpool to London,
which had cost the sum of £2lO. Here was a very serious
item whiCh had been incurred without remark, while those

who drew out the report exulted that a saving had been
effected which amounted to three farthings per head. He
vestry-clerk if there were not some legal limit to the amount
which could be demanded by persons going on deputations.
Could they legally demand more than one guinea per day.
Mr. LOWNDES replied, that there was no legal rule on the
subject ; parties, in such cases, were allowed their expenses.
Mr. BIGHAM would then appeal to the common sense of
fellow-parishioners, if this were not a gross and uncalled-for
expenditure. There had been two deputations to London on
the prisons bill alone. One had been sent to the commons,
the expenses of which were £7O; and immediately after,
another was sent to the House of Lords, which cost £6O ;
making a total of £l3O for deputations for opposing one bill.
Did his fellow-parishioners calculate upon any such expense
when they authorised the opposing of that bill ? There was
another point which had attracted his attention : he found
that the taxes in the year 1838 had amounted to £19,032
18s. 5d., and in 1839, at the same rate, to £27,354 6s. 110.
Hints ave been thrown out, that to the poor, who paid in
small sums, the vestry had been severe and pressing, while
to those who paid in hundreds, they were lenient and for-
bearing, allowing the money to stand over till it was conve-
nient for the parties to pay. This was unjust, and the
interest of such money was lost to the parish. They ought
to have an annual statement laid before the parish of those
who had paid and those who had not paid their rates, and
then they would have an opportunity of seeing whether the
poor were oppressed. He appealed to his fellow-parishioners
whether they would allow the expenses of the deputations to
pass without showing that they considered them exorbitant.
In conclusion, Mr. Bigham moved, that the sum of £240,
for the expenses of the three deputations named in the ac-
counts, be not allowed.
Mr. BARNES said he had some remarks to make on a par-
ticular department of the parochial expenditure, not with a
view to having it, lessened, but with a view to having it greatly
increased. (Hear.) He Observed that a sum of £250 was
paid to the two assistant-overseers, whose duty it was to visit
the distressed individuals about the parish. The number he
thought insufficient, as they could not possibly pay as much
attention as they ought to this department, and he thought
these officers ought to be greatly increased. There ought, at
least, to be six of them to perform the duty efficiently. He
had himself visited aged and distressed individuals, and,
though he must say, whvnever he called at the parish-office,
every attention was paid to them, yet they required to be dis-
tovered first by private individuals, and it was not possible
for two officers to attend Wall the claims upon their attention.
(Hear, hear.) He hoped, therefore, that a sufficient number
of men fitted for the office would be selected, and appointed
to this department. He moved that the select vestry be re-
quested to take the subject into consideration, with the view
of increasing the number of visiting overseers to four or six.
The CHAIRMAN said Mr. Barnes was correct as to the
number of the visiting officers employed, but not as to the
salaries, which were included in those stated in the accounts
as paid to visiting overseers, clerks, and constables, £484 18s.
They had better decide upon the accounts first, and then it
would be regular to entertain the motionbrought forward by
Mr. Barnes.
Tne accounts were put and passed without opposition.
Me. liEssdAw inquired the average number of cases
which the officers had to visit per day.
Mr. KILSHAW—about thirty.
Mr. HENSHAW said, formerly there was only one officer
for the performance of this duty, and be believed he did it
very easily. Another was afterwards appointed.
The CHAIRMAN said he had inquired whether it had ever
happened that a poor person, whose case had been represented,
had not been visited. He found that no such case had oc-
curred ; that all had been visited.
Mr. BARNES'S motion was put and lost.
Mr. Churchwarden KILSHAW said, it has been agreed at a
recent vestry to recommend Mr. William Birkett and Mr.
Isaac Hutchinson to be churchwardens for the next year ;
seconded by Mr. Bushby.
Mr. KNAPPRR—I beg leave to propose Mr. Alderman
James Aspinall. (Laughter.) Mr. James Aspinall, I am
sure, will make a very efficient churchwarden.
The CHAIRMAN said, Mr. Aspinall objected on the ground
of not having time to attend to the duties of such an office,
and as he was a magistrate of the county, he was legally ex-
empt, so that they had no means of compelling him to serve
them as churchwarden.
Mr. CLARKE had an individual to propose, and he did it
because he thought that every man who did anything for the
benefit of the parish was worthy to be rewarded for his ser-
vices. He understood that one of the present churchwardens
had discovered a swat of money which had been lying dor-
mant for some years. The gentleman to whom he alluded
was Mr. Kilshaw, and how this sum had been reserved for
him to discover, and why it had escaped the attention of other
persons for so long a time, he could not tell. He thought,
however, as he had shown himself so vigilant, and as they
had no other mark of esteem that they could bestow upon
him, that they ought to re,-appoint him one of the church-
wardens. If Mr. Kilshaw would tell them how he had made
this discovery, he would move that, as a mark of their ap-
probation, and as a reward to him for his excellent conduct,
he 'should be re-appointed churchwarden.
The CHAIRMAN said, they were well aware of this sum
before, and he believed it was left originally as an individual
charity to poor persons ; and he was not quite sure that the
parish were acting legally in incorporating it with their ac-
counts. It was only £5O originally, and the interest was
about £2, which had, in nine years, accumulated so that
£l9 lOs had been placed to the credit of the parish accounts.
Mr. CLARKE wished to know how it had been formerly
appropriated, and what was the reason why it had lain'dor-
mant for nine years.
sP;d. he believed the interest was formerly,
by the governor and governess of the Wokkhouze, divided
amongst a certain numberr-of indigent individuals.
Mr. CLARKE said, this practice, then, ought not to have
been discontinued.
At the suggestion of Kr. Kilshaw, Mr. Clarke withdrew
his motion, and Mr. Birkett and Mr. Hutchinson were ap-
pointed.
Mr. Wilkinson and Mr. William Foster, of Roscommon-
street and Vauxhall-road, were appointed sidesmen for the
ensuing year. Mr. John Tatham and Mr. William Taylor
appointed churchwardens of St. Paul's. Mr. Robt. M'Kee
and Mr. Thos. Stretch were appointed churchwardens of St.
John's.
Mr. KILSAW said it was recommended to re-appoint all
the same individuals (with the exception of three) members
of the Select Vestry who had constituted that body last year.
As it had been requested that the number of times each party
had attended during the last year should be stated, he was
prepared to give that information to the meeting. Mr. Kil-
shaw read a statement of the number of times each indivi-
dual had attended the board and the meetings.
Mr. EPHRAIM KNAPPER thought it very inconvenient
that twenty individuals should be proposed in a body. He
wished to hear the names of the old members whom it was
proposed to retain.
The names of the seventeen old members were read, and it
was intimated, that the three members who retired were the
two churchwardens and Mr. Muncaster, who had been cho-
sen overseer.
The CHAIRMAN put the seventeen old members to the
meeting first.•
Mr. KNAPPER said he would move that the name of Mr.
William Walthew be introduced as one of the seventeen in
lieu of that of the person who had attended the fewest times.
Mr. KILSHAW said that was Mr. Laycock.
Mr..Knapper. could not find a seconder to his motion, and
it fell to the ground. The seventeen old members were re-
appointed.
Mr. WILKINSON, seconded by Mr. HENSHAW, proposed
Mr. John Mellor as one of the three new members.
Mr. KNAPPER, as an amendment, proposed Mr. William
Walthew. Not seconded.
A PARISIIIONER proposed Mr. John Clarke. Mr. Clarke
declined, and the original motion was carried.
Mr. MUNCASTER, seconded by Mr. GROOM, proposed
Mr. William Woods, of Pembroke-place. Carried.
Mr. Font), seconded by Mr. BUTLER, proposed Mr. Sin-
gleton Cooper. Carried.
Mr. Lowndes was re-appointed vestry-clerk ; Mr. Hart,
treasurer; Mr. Edward Gray, overseer; and Mr. John
Evans, assistant-overseer; all with the same duties and emo-
luments as heretofore.
Mr. WILKINSON spoke in very high terms of the services
of Mr. John Evans, who, he said, had most arduous duties,
which he performed in a most exemplary manner. Mr. Wil-
kinson produced and read a letter from Thomas James Hall,
Esq., formerly stipendiary magistrate of this borough. Mr.
Hall spoke in very high terms of the character and services
of Mr. Evans. Mr. Wilkinson said this officer was greatly
underpaid, his present salary being only £lBO per annum.
He was a very worthy member of society, as well as an ex-
cellent officer, and he had also a young and increasing family.
He begged, therefore, to propose, that his salary be increased
to two hundred guineas per annum.
The motion was carried without opposition.
Mr. JAMES ECKERSLEY was re-appointed Secretary with
the same salary and duties as last year. The six Collectors
were re-appointed on the same terms.
Instead of renewing the gratuity of £2O to Mr. Welsh, it
was determined to fix his salary at £l2O per annum.
Mr. KILSHAW proposed that Mr. and Mrs. Dowdall be
re-appointed Governor and Matron of the workhouse, with
an addition to Mr. Dowdall's income of £lOO per annum to
enable him to effect an insurance on his life. Mr. Kilshaw
pointed out the constant exposure of Mr. and Mrs. Dowdall
to disease, from their constant attention to the sick under
their care, and spoke in warm terms of the services of the
Governor and Matron.
Mr. CLARKE said he was fully sensible of the excellent
conduct of Mr. and Mrs. Dowdall. No person could have
a higher estimation than he had of the value of their services,
but it was zlearly understood, when they were appointed,
that their salaries should not go on increasing with that ra-
pidity which had before been too common. He thought the
sum of £250 per annum, which they received, with the per-
quisites which they enjoyed, making the salary equal to more
than £4OO per annum, was a very handsome allowance. He
thought that out of this Mr. Dowdall might and ought to lay
by sufficient to produce an annuity for his children. He did
not speak with any personal feeling, but he knew that some
of Mr. Dowdall's children were advanced in life, and he
thought it was not well to be too precipitate in carrying a
resolution of this sort, for which there was no precedent.
Mr. HENSIIAW said the thing was riot without prece-
dent, as it had been done in the case of Mr. Hardman. and
it was on the fruits of a similar resolution that the children
of Mr. Hardman had relied for support, otherwise they
might have come to the vestry for assistance.
Mr. CLARKE said, if such a thing had been done in the
case of Mr. Hardman, he had never heard 'of it. It was the
principle, however, which he opposed. These sort of en-
croachments should not be allowed, otherwise their money
would soon be wantonly thrown away. The parish-rates
were collected for the poor, and those who could hardly
afford to pay them, nevertheless did pay them cheerfully on
that occount, and they ought to pause before they gave that
money which was intended to support the destitute, in in-
creasing salaries, and particularly before they gave it to those
who could afford to do without it. (Hear, hear, and cheers.)
Mr. KILSHAW spoke warmly and energetically in favour
of Mr. and Mrs. Dowdall. They had not paid them nearly
so well as the last governor and matron, who had £4OO a year,
and he would say they deserved more,—they deserved £5OO
a year. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. KNAPPER was greatly opposed to the increase of sa-
laries, but he thought an additional £lOO a year in this case
was not out of the way.
Mr. CLARKE said, as he perceived the opinion of the meet-
ing was against him, and as he meant nothing personal as
regarded Mr. and Mrs. Dowdall, he would withdraw his op-
position to the grant. He only feared that these encroach-
ments would be continued.
The motion was carried, it being stipulated that the addi-
tional £lOO per annum was for the express purpose of pro-
curing a life assurance.

On the motion of reappointing the Rev. Mr. Joseph Chap.
lain to the Workhouse,
Mr. HOLLAND stepped forward, and after repeating a story
against Mr. Joseph, containing similar charges to those
brought forward by him at the last general vestry, he moved
that he be not re-appointed Chaplain to the Workhouse.
Mr. W. RUSHTON spoke in high terms of the conduct and
qualifications of Mr. Joseph. If they searched England
through they could not find a better man or one more fitted
for the office.

Mr. HOLLAND.—I wrote a letter to the Bishop of Chester
letailing the whole circumstances. (To Mr. Rushton.) Per-
laps you never put your hand in your pocket for him as I
iavedone. It has been said I told all this at the last vestry,
. _

and I did ; and I shall oppose him at every vestry.
The CHAIRMAN said he decidedly objected to ex parte
statements without proofs against individuals at vestry meet-
ings. (Applause.) As the Bishop of Chester had been men-
tioned, he might state that since the letter alluded to was
written the Bishop of Chester had ordained Mr. Joseph,
which he would.not have done had he conceived anything to
exist against his character. He might state furher, that the
Bishop of Chester, in consequence of what he had heard, ap-
pointed a commission, consisting of himself (Rector Brooks,)
Mr. Campbell, and Dr. Tattershall, to investigate the allega-
tions against Mr. Joseph. The result was that his moral

character came out quite clear. That he had been guilty of
indiscretions he did not deny, but nothing worse. He had
been indiscreet, for he was a simple minded man who knew
little or nothing of the world, and, in consequence, he had
been stripped of all of which he was possessed, which he (the
Chairman) believed was not much. Since his appointment
he had performed his duty undefatigably. With regard to
his having been a Jew, as had been stated, they had no right
to find fault with him for that now. If he had left the Jews

and become a Christian they had still less reason to find
fault with him. (Cheers.) As his case had been fairly in-
vestigated, and the result in his favour, it was hardly fair to

him to bring it forward now. (Cheers.)
A. Parishioner in the gallery spoke very highly- of Mr.
Joseph, both in regard to his character and the manner in
which he had discharged the duties of his office. If he had

any fault it was his gi:eat charity to the poor.

The CHAIRMAN said he had -fallen into ari error in respect
of the letter spoken off, which he now understood was written
to the Bishop not only after Mr. Joseph's ordination but
after his appointment as Chaplain to the Workhouse. How-
ever, there was a letter written to the Bishop before his or-
.

dination, and it was to that he had alluded. •
Mr. HOLLAND renewed his amendment, which was se-
conded by Mr. MORTITON. It was negativeed by a very
large majority, not above four or six hands being held.up in
its favour.
It was proposed that a reduced church-rate of one penny
in the pound be paid in lieu of the former rate of three-half-
pence in the pound. Carried with great applause.
On the proposal to grant one hundred guineas to the East-

ern Dispensary,
Mr. JAMES MULLENEUX opposed the motion. Mr. Mul-
leneux stood so far back under the gallery, and spoke in so
low a tone, that it was with difficulty we could catch the im-
port of what he said. We understood him to state that, as
Vice-President of the old Dispensary, he felt it his duty to
oppose the proposition'. The Eastern Dispensary owed its
origin to a private party, and was not entitled to any support
from the parish. It had taken away subscriptions from the
old institution without relieving it of its patients, for the
latter had of late greatly increased. The old institution took
in precisely the same district as the new one, therefore, while
it did its 'duty properly the latter was uncalled for. He
hoped he should gain credit for not being influenced by arty
motive but that of wishing to support the oldest charities in
the town, and desiring to protect the interests of the poor.
He should move that this grant be not allowed.
Mr. CLARKE seconded the motion. „

Mr. JAMES ASPINALL, as Chairman of the Committee o
the Eastern Dispensary, disclaimed the idea of that charity
having been instituted for private purposes. He had sat
upon the committee of that charity to which Mr. Mulleneux
alluded, as he believed he had upon almost every other, for
he had been connected with every other in the town, and he
was certain the funds of the Eastern Dispensary would be as
properly applied as those of any other Dispensary whatever.
Every one knew how the town had increased, and the neces-
sity there was for another Dispensary. He believed when
the old Dispensary got into funds, they intended again to
take in beds. He hoped, when they considered the good
which the Eastern Dispensary had done, that the parish
would allow them the same privileges as the others. He re-
peated that he thought the funds of the Eastern Dispensary
were as well applied, and as much needed also, as those of
any other institution, and he could not but think any opposi-
tion to their claims exceedingly invidious.
Mr. MTILLENEUX. (Cries of spoke, spoke.) He wished
to say a few words lu explanation. It would be well if, be-
fore they decided this question, they would give themselves a
little time for inquiry. (Spoke, spoke.) This dispensary
would make a claim on the queen's marriage fund. (Spoke,
spoke.) He merely wished to explain that he did not imply
for a moment that the funds of the new dispensary were not
properly aplied, but that they would interfere with and crip-
ple the operations of the old institution.
Mr. ASPINALL said the committee of the queen's mar-
riage fund had consented that the eastern dispensary should
participate in its benefits.
Mr. PARKER said, if Mr. Mulleneux, with his philantro-
phic mind, only knew the necessity which existed for the
slew dispensary, he was sure he would not continue his oppo-
sition to this grant for one moment.
The question was put, and the motion for the grant was
carried by a large majority.
Mr. ISAAC HOLMES wished to ask the vestry-clerk whe-
ther he had any reason to suppose that the town council
intended to oppose the rescinding of the watch rate act.
Mr. LOWNDES said he had seen tl-e town-clerk a few days
since, and the latter gave him to understand, that any mea-
sures they might take on the subject would not be opposed.
Mr. WILKINSON proposed the usual grant of 20 guineas
to Mr. Dowdall, but at the suggestion of Mr. Lowndes, and
some others, he withdrew the motion.
Mr. MONTGOMERY proposed a resolution to the effect that
the select vestry he requested and empowered to oppose the
Inland Bonding Bill to the utmost of their power.
Mr. BUSHDY seconded the motion.
Mr. CLARKE said he could not see what the parishioners
had to do with this question. Those gentlemen who were
benetitted by the present bonding system should, if they
thought themselves, likely to be injured by that which it was
proposed to intfoduce, do it of themselves by private sub-
scription out of their pocks. There were hundreds of pa-
rishioners who had no benefit from the bonding of goods in
Liverpool, and he did not see why the owners of warehouses,
whose interests were affected, should come and endeavour to
saddle the parish with the expense of opposing a bill which
they thought would injure their business. Every individual
who felt his interests touched upon might now go tot the
vestry and call upon the parish for aid, and, so the system
would go on till, what with deputations and other expenses,
instead of the rate being one penny it would be two pence or
three pence or four pence or eigt t pence. In every trade in
Liverpool, it might happen that an act of parliament might he
brought forward which would appear to do some injury, and-
the persons engaged in that trade, instead of thinking, as they
naturally ought to do, of protecting their interests out of their
own resources, would say, " Oh, we have nothing to do but
go to the vestry and the parish will bear all the expense of
our deputation and of our application to parliament !" This
was a very objectionable proposition altogether. If the par-
ties who held warehouses felt aggrieved they were .quite
monied men enough to oppose this bill without calling upon
the parish to expend the money which was paid by many
persons with difficulty enough, for the poor, to assist them.
Mr. CHRISTOPHER BUSHELL said their opponents had
evidently not given the subject on which they had spoken
much consideration. They were great economists, as it ap-
peared by their professions ; but it did not appear to have
struck them that it was a principle of economy to oppose this
measure (cheers), which was that of keeping as much money
in their own pockets as possible. (Cheers.) Was there any
economy in driving trade from their own doors, in sending
away rental that helped to pay their parochial rates, in rais-
ing up a number of expensive Custom-house establishments
in Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Wolverhampton, and
other places ? These establishments would entail upon the
country an enormous additional expenditure. This was a
question which materially affected the parishioners of Liver-
pool, and if they would look into its various bearings, they
would see that it was their duty to oppose it. (Hear and
cheers.) With respect to the Council, with which he had the
honour, if honour it were, and he supposed he must call it so,
to be connected, he regretted that that body should have act-
ed, on so important a question, with a degree of apathy that
was disgraceful to them. The question was one of vital im-
portance to every individual in the town, whether it were a
tradesman or a shopkeeper, or an artisan, or a labourer, yet
the Council had not entertained it at all. They could discuss
many questions with which they might appear to haxe less to
do : they could discuss, forsooth, the corn-laws, the privi-
lege question (laughter), and appeal to the sympathies by
speaking loudly and eloquently in favour of. humanity ; but
when the best interests of the parishioners were concerned,
where there was a measure brought forward for taking away
one-half your trade, which this would do, they were as silent
as the grave. (Cheers.) This question was by no means a
warehouse question ; it was one which concerned all the trad-
ing interests of the town, for it would narrow the trade of the
town fully one-half. (Hear, hear.) Could any one, there-
fore, refuse to admit that the fate of the town was much in-
volved in it. If the value of the warehouses were reduced,
looking on it in that point of view alone, would not the rates
be reduced ? The trade itself would be reduced, he repeated,
at least one-half, and, as it could not be pretended that such
reduction would not injure the parishioners at large, it was
their duty to oppose the measure.
Mr. DOVER said, the parties who had taken up this matter
were wholly disconnected with the warehouse party. He be-
lieved the matter was first moved by those interested in the
wine and tea trade. At the same time, the warehouse pro-
prietors rightly considered that the measure would do them
no good ; and that it would be injurious to the parishioners,
and even to the county at large, could not admit of a doubt.
He had it from a gentleman high in the Customhouse esta-
blishment, that they would have to institute customs esta-
blishments in other places, which would be as expensive, in
proportion to the business, as this in Liverpool. On these
grounds he thought the measure should be opposed.
Mr. CLARKE, in explanation, said, he had opposed the
parish going into the matter, on the ground that it was not a
proper question on which the parochial funds should be ex-
pended. The money of the parish was collected for poor peo-
ple, and not for the aid of-the rich. Mr. Bushell intimated,
that having got into the council, he had got into bad com-
pany, and he (Mr. Clarke) thought the sooner he got out of
it, the better. (Laughter.) A voice—We'll not let him ;
we'll give him good company. (Renewed laughter.) When
the council came forward to improve the commerce of the
port, and to erect warehouses for the accommodation of the
merchants, who found fault with them, and who voted against
them ? And now, when they did not choose to interfere with
persons who wished to have the warehousing of a portion of
their own goods, who again found fault with them ? People
voted for cross-purposes, for their own benefit, and not for
the public good.—(A voice—Was it for the public good that
Mr. Clarke got his license ? )
After a few words from Mr. Bushell, Mr. Clarke's propo-
sition for negativing the motion was put and lost. The origi-
nal motion was carried by a large majority.
Mr. KNAPPER expressed his gratification that, so far from
any defalcation being found against Mr. Walthew, it had
turned out that there was a balance of four or five pounds in
his favour. His services had been very great to the parish
during a very long period, and he would propose that £lOO
IT granted to him as a gratuity, to be renewed annually.
Mr. ELLIS seconded the proposition.
Mr. BRYDEN opposed the motion, on the ground that it
opend the door for an endless routine of similar pensions to
several individuals. This sort of gratuity was entirely with-
out precedent, and the parish was heavily enough burdened
already. If this would be merely to Mr. Walthew, he would
not oppose it ; but who was there that had served the parish
for any length of time who was not entitled to a similar grant
as much as Mr. Walthew ? It was a new thing, and he ob-
jected to it, and he was convinced that the bulk of the parishi-
oners would object to it too.
Mr. BIGHAM seconded the amendment. He was proceed-
ing to recapitulate the charges against Mr. Walthew, when he
was stopped by
Mr. Kisstiftw, who said they had found out, on examin-
ing Mr. Walthew's accounts, that he had credited more
money than he had received.
Mr. BIGHAM said lie was glad Mr. Walthew had come out
of it so well. No one, however, could prove that he bad not
been a political partisan. (Disapprobation.) He only wanted
to show that he had used the influence of his office impro-
perly. (Hisses.) If he could make out that, he should
move that he ought not to receive this annuity. He had
stated the same before, and was informed that Mr. Walthew
had behaVed in like manner to tories as well as well as libe-
rals. (A voice, " Call them radicals or destructives.") He
could produce cases that would illustrate his charge, but he
weuld confine himself to one which was his own. Mr.

Bigharn proceeded to state that he resided in Marybone,
whence he removed, and when Mr. Walthew called upon him
he asked him what he had to pay on the two houses. Mr.
Walthew told him, and he paid the amount, asking Mr. Wal-
thew if his removal would affect his franchise. Mr. Walthew

said he would take care that it should not do so, and he
made a note in the margin of his book for the purpose. He
found that he was objected to—went before the barrister, and
was struck off. When he called upon Mr. Hart to ascertain
the reason, he found it stated in the margin of the book that
on the day when he had removed to another house he had be-
come a lodger. He asked if that conduct were just or was it
not? How could they expect parties to act justly if they
overlooked such conduct, and even rewarded those who were
guilty of it? However, if they granted this annuity, they
would do so illegally,' and he had power to oppose it before a
magistrate—and that would be done. It would be an illegal
grant. Mr. Walthew had been the means of depriving him
of his franchise, which was dearer to him than money, be-
cause money he could make, but his franchise be could not
get back when deprived of it."
Mr. ELLis expressed his satisfaction that Mr. Walthew
had come out clear. He had served the parish twenty-six
years, and had been turned out upon mere report, and a new
collector appointed, whereby they had gained £6O per annum,
so that he thought Mr. Walthew was entitled to this grant.
Mr. JAMES ASPINALL said it had been proved that Mr.
Walthew had acted. the same by tories as by radicals. As an
old freeman, he would remind the gentleman who had talked
of his franchise being dearerto hint than money, that the old
freemen had been deprived of their franchise. He thought
it was but common justice to. Mr. Walthew to give him this
small grant.
Mr. LOWNDES produced a letter which had been received
in reply to one written by. Mr. Mozley, to the poor-law com-
missioners. The latter stated, that it would be decidedly il-
legal to pay any pension whatever to a parochial officer. It
was probable, however, Mr. Lowndes thought, that Mr.
Barnes' motion might be carried into effect, by appointing
Mr. Walthew one of the visiting overseers, with the sum
proposed as a salary.
Mr. BARNES adopted the proposition, which was seconded
by Mr. Bigham and adopted.
Mr. FORD was proceeding to call the attention of the vestry
to the bill of the corporation to empower them to borrow
money on bond instead of mortgage, when
Mr. LOWNDES informed him, that the parish could not
interfere in the matter.

Mr. LEYLAND proposed the thanks of the meeting to the
chairman, and the latter returned a suitable reply.
The meeting broke up at three o'clock.

WALTON-ON-THE-HILL.

The annual meeting in vesting of the ley-payers of the
parish of Walton-on-the-Hill, was held in the parish church
on Tuesday morning, at ten o'clock. The Rev. Mr. Moss,
the vicar, took the chair. There was a very numerous
attendance.
Mr. BIRKETT, one of the retiring churchwardens, opened
the proceedings 'by reading the notice convening the meeting.
Mr. HARDY produced a newspaper in which L 1 notice
had been advertised, and enquired whether it was a copy of
the original notice ?
The CHAIRMAN replied that by law notice was required to
be given only on the church doors, and that to advertise it in
the newspapers was not camputsory by the act of parliament.
Mr. HARDY said it was ordered by the last vestry that the
notice should be advertised in all the papers, and also fixed
upon the doors of all-the churches in the parish. The notice
stated that the meeting was called according to ancient cus-
tom to pass the accounts of the church wardens for the past
year ; now he wanted to know whether it was the ancient
custom to call the meeting for ten o'clock ?
Mr. BIRKETT replied that the meeting had been appointed
to he held at ten o'clock in compliance with the wishes of
many of the pasishioners. As to the advertisement in the
newspapers it was not necessary, and notice had been given
to the owners of all the various townships in the parish that
the meeting would be held at ten o'clock, and copies of the
churchwardens accounts had been sent to them.

Mr. MARDY enquired in what papers notice of the mee

ing had been given?

BrautiTT said in the Mail and the Journal of last
Saturday—one paper on each side.
Mr. LEDGER asked what was the hour at which former
meetings had been held?
Mr. SIRKETT replied that it was twelve, adding, as he had
before observed, that it had been changed for ten, which was
better for most of the parishioners.
Mr. HALL requested the vestry clerk to give is opinion,
whether the notice was a legal notice or not?
Mr. whether
-.
(vestry clerk) said there could be no ques-
tion that the notice was perfectly legal.
Mr. HEATON wished there was a legal adviser on his side
of the question to contradict that opinion.
Mr. BIRKE'TT then read the accounts, from which it ap-
peared that the last rate had been nearly collected, except in
the districts of West Derby and Everton. There was a de-
ficiency of about £29, on the account of the current year,
in which was included the expense of rebuilding the south
wall of the church, painting and joiner's work. It was im-
possible to catch many of the items as they were read, owing
to the confusion and disorder that prevailed throughout the
whole proceedings.
Mr. HEATON said he should oppose the accounts, because
the ringers could not legally be paid out of the funds of the
parish. He should like to know whether there were no rich
people attending the church who could afford to find sacra-
mental wine for the poor, without imposing the expense of

. , . . ._
it upon the parish ?
Mr. HALL called for the minutes of the last vestry to be
read.

Mr. BIRKETT read them; whereupon
Mr. HARDY complained that a resolution to the effect that
no rate should be laid for the last year had not been entered
on the books.
Mr. HALL said a motion had also been passed—that the
expense of repairing the church should be limited to a certain
sum, but there was no entry of it.
Mr. BIRKETT said, if the vestry would allow a rate of two-
pence this year, the wardens would require no more rates for
the parish of Walton. If the vestry would not allow it, they
must wait till it was in a better humour. He could beg the
money very easily, but for one circumstance : wherever he
went they said it was the undoubted law of the land that the
parish church ought to be kept in repair by the parish, and it
ought to be so ; but if he wanted £BOO for decorating the in-
side, or for building an organ afterwards, they said if he came,
they.would subscribe it.
Mr. HALL said the walls should be kept up and the roof
repaired; there was no doubt, but it was the extra expense of
the ornamental part, to which he objected. If the expense
arose from making the church an ornamentalbuilding, church-
men ought to subscribe for it themselves, and not lay a rate
for it.on the parish.
Mr. LAWRENCE HEYWORTH considered it premature to
speak-of a rate before it was proposed;
.Mr. HALL proceeded to say that the collectors last year
asserted they could collect £320 or more of the arrears, but
the accounts proved that only about £152 had been collected,
—not more than half. He wished to know where the balance
was. He did not like the manner of stating that £2O had
been paid on account, leaving-a considerable sum due. It
was unsatisfactory.
Mr. BraKErr said there had been some mistakes. When
he came to ask Mr. Hodgson, the collector, about it, he found
there was a great mistake in the municipal district of West
Derby. There he expected to get £4O but he had only got
£9 12s. 6d. Other mistakes had also occurred.
Mr. LAWRENCE HEYWORTH contended that the affairs of
the parish had been managed with propriety. The accounts
proved that there had been great economy, and he did not
quarrel with the churchwardens for erecting the wall sub-
stantially. They had done right. The whole of the items of
the accounts were satisfactory, and he would give his full as-
sent to them. He moved that, the accounts, as they stood,
do pass.
Mr. MOORE seconded the motion.

. _
Mr. HALL wished to know whether there were any out-
standing accounts relative to the building of the wall of which
they did not know. Last year there were accounts outstand-
ing to the amount of £3OO.
Mr. BinicErr said there was a small one about which, as
with all the others, he might have a good deal of wrangling to
keep down as low as possible. He would not have kept par-
ties so closely down bad he been expending his own money,
but it belonged to the public and ought to be safely guarded.
(Hears hear.) There was also the architect's commission
for looking after the building, about £3O, certainly not more
than £35.
Mr. HARDY was surprised at the quarter from which the
resolution came. He did not know why the other church-
warden was not there ; but at the last vestry dinner, when
Mr. Formby's health was drunk, he had declared he would
pull down and rebuild the church, or if his brother church-
warden would pull it down, he would build it up, and take
the consequences. (Great uproar.) He meant to move that
the accounts do not pass, because in his opinion they were
illegal. He gave Mr. Birkett credit for having expended the
money economically and satisfactorily to the minds of many
persons assembling to worship at that church, but it was not
satisfactory to the minds of nine-tenths of the persons who
did not worship there. They had no right to expend £5OO
without the sanction of the parish vestry, and he was asto-
nished that any person should move that the accounts do
pass. He hoped they were prepared to oppose the passing of
the accounts, for they were illegal. He moved that they do
not pass.
Mr. HEATON, seconded the amendment.
Mr. LAWRENCE HEYWORTH wished to reply to what had
been stated. The meeting had been summoned to tax them-
selves ; they had been summoned there to decide whether or
not a tax should be laid, but after they had once submitted
to be taxed, and appointed gentlemen to carry on the work,
he thought it very ungrateful and very unbecoming to attempt
to deprive them of the tax. (Cheers.) He thought he could
consistently make these remarks, although he objected to
being taxed for a church which he never entered, which he
would prove if a motion for a church rate were introduced
that day.
A PARISHIONER asked if persons could vote who had no
paid their rates.
Mr. SANDARS said that no person was entitled to vote or
be present unless he had paid his church rates.
Mr. HALL said he had heard the accounts read with a good
deal of attention. He had also looked at the expenses, and
found that economy had been the order of the day, and seeing
that there was a prospebt of economy for the future, he
would vote that the accounts do pass, haying ascertained that
there were only two accounts besides Mr. sandar's to be paid.
Mr. HARDY maintained that the expenditure for rebuilding
the wall was illegal, but said he did not so much object to it
as to the manner in which it had been incurred. The pulling
down of the old wall was clearly illegal, as it'was done with-
out the consent of the parishioners.
Mr. HEATON said it was illegal altogether. It was an
" illegal job." An architect had offered to rebuild the wall
for £lOO ; and if the vestry pressed this account, he would
vote for the robbing of anybody, from the beggar to the king.
Indeed, they were all Sir Francis Burdetts, for they were
turning their tail. After this, he would vote for any man
who would put on twenty times more taxation. (Laughter.)
The amendment and the original motion were then put
from the chair. There was a decided majority in favour of
the latter.
Mr. HEATON (before the declaration) shouted out, " There
are five to four against you." (Uproar.)
The CHAIRMAN.—I am clearly of opinion that the majo-
rity is in favour of the accounts being passed. (Cheers.)
Mr. HARDY.—No, no ; the majority was in favour of the
other. (Uproar.)
Mr. HEATON.—You are all Sir Francis Burdetts, and I
will vote for none of you. (The zealous parishioner then left
the church, amidst loud laughter.)
Mr. HARDY said he was dissatisfied with the decision of
the Chairman, and he should demand a poll. He moved a
resolution to this effect.
Mr. LEDGER seconded the motion, on the ground that, in
his opinion, the absent parishioners would be against the
motion.
Mr. WEBB thought it was too late to demand a poll.
Mr. HARDY.—I will go to the poll, gentlemen. I declare,
upon my honour, that the majority was against the accounts
passing. (Uproar.) maintain that £7OO has been expended
illegally, and I demand a poll.
Mr. L. HEYWORTH said, granting that the money had
been expended illegally, what better would Mr. Hardy be for
a poll ? He could not get the money back, and he (Mr.
Heyworth) therefore did not see what object would be gained
by a poll. If he had been able to see any rational end to be
accomplished by it, he would support the motion ; but as he
could not, he should oppose it.
Mr. HARD V.—Oh ! I disapprove of the system altogether.
The churchwardens are ignorant of the law ; and I maintain
they have taken down the church wall at their own hazard,
and on their own responsibility. (Uproar.)
Mr. L. HEYwotern said Mr. Hardy might enjoy his own
opinion ; but those who thought otherwise would not depart
from theirs because he conceived a poll necessary.

A PARISHIONER begged to a* the Vestry-clerk whether
this payment was legal or not ?
Mr. SANDARS said, that, supposing the vestry determined
that the accounts were not right, and carried the motion that
they should not pass, there was no law—and he said it with-
out fear of contradiction—there was no power in law to com-
pel the churchwardens to repay the money.
Mr. BIRKETT asked if the expenditure of moifey in hand
to repair the walls was not legal? Was there a lawyer pre-
sent who would tell him that the expenditure of money for
that purpose was not legal ?
Mr. LEDGER would not take the law from the tipse dixit
of any gentleman. There was a motion made last year that
there should be no rate, and that had not been entered on the

books.
A PARISHIONER said, that be hoped gentlemen who
wanted to involve the parish in law would pay the expenses
out of their own pockets. " I beg," said the speaker, to
pass a motion that they pay it out of their own pockets.
Mr. LEDGER.—You can only move the motion, you cannot
pass it. Talk sense, and then I'll take to you.
Mr. HARDY then quoted Burn's Justice, to prove that the
item was illegal.
Mr. WEBBE.—We are not a court of justice, and cannot
hear you.
Mr. HARDY.—But Dr. Lushington, whom I have in my
pocket,—(loud laughter,)—says that churchwardens cannot
pull down or erect without the sanction of the leypayers.
Mr. WEBB.—But you cannot pull down after you have
once erected.
Mr. HALL recommended that they should at once decide
whether there should be a poll.
Mr. L. HEYWORTH suggested that the question of a poll
should be deferred till the regular business had been disposed
of. _

Mr. HARDY said he would consent to that course.
Mr. CARTWRIGHT.—I move that the poll be taken accord-
ing to Sturges Bourne's act.
Mr. WEBB.—I second it.
Mr. LEDGER.—Before we decide how we shall vote, let it
be explained what Sturges Bourne's act is.
A PARISHIONER.—It's bricks against brains in plain Eng-
lish. (Laughter.)
Mr. WEBB asked whether the collector for. West Derby
was in the meeting ?
Mr. BIREETT replied in the affirmative.
Mr. WEBB would take the liberty of asking, whether ge•
Hardy had paid his rates? (Hear, hear.)
The COLLECTOR.—Mr. Hardy has paid no rates or paro-
chial taxes for eighteen months. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Weee.—Then I say Mr. Hardy has no right to he
here or to speak in this meeting. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. BAINES.—Mr. Hardy, pay your taxes ! If you don't,
you have no business here. (Uproar.)
Mr. HARDY.—I have a right to be here if I have not paid
my rates. Dr. Lushington says—(great uproar)—Oh, you',
not carry your point by trying to put me down.
Mr. WEBB.—You may be present by courtesy ; but you
have na right to be here unless you have paid your rates. ,
Mr. LEDGER said if Mr. Hardy was disqualified he would
demand a poll.
Mr. HARDY said that according to the best legal authori:
ties he had a right to demand a poll, notwithstanding he ha
°
not paid his rates. (Uproar.)
After some further discussion, the details of which it was
impossible to collect amidst the disorder that prevailed, the
motion was understood to be withdrawn.
The CHAIRMAN said that, on behalf of the Rector of V
ton, he begged to name Mr. Thomas Birkett as the rector
churchwarden for the ensuing year. It was the duty of the
vestry to elect another.
Mr. BIRKETT said that nothing but the friendly manner
in which he had been treated by the Chairman, since he case
into that neighbourhood, could have induced him to ti'e
office again. It had been asked dAy Mr. Formby, his brother
churchwarden, was not there. He would not say ; but the)"
had worked together harmoniously, excepting on one poins
A PARISHIONER.—Was not that difference about thi
wall?
Mr. BIRKETT.—We did not differ with regard to any eN'
pense.
A PARISHIONER said he had heard on respectable autho-
rity, that the reason why Mr. Formby was not present n'ti
that he expected to be asked some questions which he Noe
not like to answer.
Mr. SANDARS had reason to think that Mr. Formby
absence was caused by his attendance at the Board of Gull;
dians, at Low-hill workhouse, to hear some communication
from the poor-law commissioners.
Mr. HOLT then moved, and a PARISHIONER seconded $
resolution, to the effect that Mr. John Broadbent be °P.
pointed the other churchwarden. It was carried. es'
A long and unimportant discussion followed on the V re
tion, whether the powers of the two churchwardens wei,t
equal. It terminated in a resolution proposed by Mr. 14/J'A
to the effect, that the churchwardens have equal power s'i;e
controul over the disbursements of any rata that may
laid.
The CHAIRMAN then announced that the next busioe°
would be the levying of a thurch-rate for the year ensuing,i
Mr. HALL moved that_a rate of two pence in the P°lll
be granted.
Mr. Rome'. seconded the motion.' Ikwas disgracefik,t,
a parish like Walton, that the church wall was not rebate
About £9OO would rebuild it, and the remainder of rebate
money would be appropriated to current expenses.
Mr. LEYLAND said that less than 21d. Would not be Stlf.
ficieMnt. heitti
r. CARTWRIGHT hoped that 80 long as the law P.-
the burden of repairing the church on the parishionolibe
would be observed ; and he trusted a 2;d. rate woOldi,
granted. It would be a paltry consideration to every 01
vidual in the parish. t,
Mr. L. HEYWORTH, in a long speech, said that, alt..°ol
he was a churchman, he should oppose the rate, on the o°o4
that it was unjust, and also that the parishioners couhl
be taxed but with their own consent. 0
Mr. BAINES supported the motion, and .Mr. Lno°
su pp or it. bich
A. very long and most irregular debate followed, in I/
all sorts of tpics were introduced.
On a diviso
ion, the CHAIRMAN declared that the inZritli
was against the rate. This announcement was receive-
shouts of applause by the anti-rate party
RTWRIGHT an. . d l‘fri
A poll was then demanded by Mr. CA c.e.
LEYLAND, which the CHAIRMAN granted, and ann°uet
that it would be taken according to Sturges Bourne
de
and commence at ten o'clock on Thursday morning, le
S Thanks chool-room. de°
were then voted to the retiring churchwer
and to the chairman, and the meeting separated.

TIIE POLLING-GLORIOtAIthviPH OF 10
CHURCH. •

In accordance with the notice, the polling cornmen' the
ten o'clock yesterday morning, in the School-room in levy
churchyard. The liberal" party the day before had Pthi
tifully circulated hand-bills calling on the people, if., cor
wished tb be robbed, to go and poll for the rate, anu.or's
taining other similar ingenuities, betraying a collsei°ueod
of weakness in their camp. On the other hand, the fr',J
of the church Used 'no clap-trap--they relied on the
sense of the parishioners, and on their attachment 10 t"e
stitutions of their country.
The Rev. Mr. Moss presided. Exactly at four o'cl`to•
the poll-books were closed, and the Rev. ChairtnBll
flounced this gratifying result:— srotes'
persons.
For the Rate

Against the Rate
3/1
MAJORITY FOR THE RATE'

The poll will be resuined at ten o'clock this morning'

- - '. KIRKDALE SESSIONS.
of
.
The Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the div p pia!!tii,
Kirkdale commenced yesterday, at the Court-house, „034
dale, before the Rev. Jonathan Brooks, Chairmae, 4'
full bench of Magistrates.`e
. .
The calendar is unusually light, there being only fifty's,
cases for trial. , Jig);
The following gentlemen were sworn on the Gran° bto°,
—George Walker, Aughton ; Henry Underwood, "Icor
W. C. Jones, Bedford; John Aspinall, Ormskirk ; 01
Harriott, Ormskirk ; Sylvester IVlorecroft, Orinskiri'lihog,
Barton, Warrington; Hugh Clare, Warrington; ''.
May, Warrington ; Thomas Robinson, W arringwelie,4l
mund Hill, Attest.; Ralph Poole, Allerton ; Wm. Se' Ditil.
lerton ; Robert Gill, Much Woolton; Joseph Alleliii Fie
Woolton ; Peter Weadle, Warrington ; John Gaske ' •
N'ell'
cot ; Thomas.Morecroft, Aughton. bt,' ti'
Mr. Thomas Bowker, of Warrington, and Mr. Ro tteo
son, of Much Woolton, were each fined £3. for nonJ t
ance. 'd, thte
The CHAIRMAN, in addressing the grand jury, saiosl+4,(
on looking over the calendar he was happy to cOngorit tilt
them on its being a short one, and both to save th:sr),l'ert
and that the court might not be kept longer than neat; tP ce
was glad to say that the number of persons broug ..eiltJ
was very greatly reduced. He did not see that tqe4 4
any cases but those continually coming before Pe bilo
juries, and about which they would feel no ditticultY'w ti
they found any difficulty the court would be haoltbstr,
them any information. He was not aware of anything ',A
occurred since they last met requiring particular obse%sof'„,
excepting as regarded the Rural Police Act, which 0;,.01!;:t
in force. An act was lately passed, authorising th°' for vii
ties who chose to adopt it, to form a rural police
coo ti
agricultural and rural portion of the county. 111 tiiis,. 01,ht
that ac't had been adopted unanimously, and there 700 vr,
dissentient voice raised against it by the magistrates tbePt,l'of
surrounding districts, at a large meeting, held f0e.40,,ut
pose. Not only they themselves said it was licco•J sv'l,t,
they expressed the opinions .of many persons roullecos,,,i
them, saying, that the act was necessary on this 'II foe
In many of the large towns they had.,, established A 11)0 ri
and excellent police force, and the consequence w"s'the Id
thieves would be driven from the towns to live 00 4tfor, to
portions of the country, if there were no protection 4'0,,e0 or
to them, the depredations in. the town.would be reu:i isliP
the country, and that had already been. experience of trf
neighbourhood of Liverpool. The establishment roger!
rural police would have the effect of protecting the 1;0rr
of those who lived separate from large towns. It co''/i4
organizing, and in many attic principal parts of th%,cofte
it was already in force. They had been successful iugoor
the services of Captain Woodford, as superintendaltiri
hoped it would be found of great service in protec of
property of the country. Were
A few cases were afterwards disposed of, but they
no public interest. J
ej`i.
............, .......... f_ .11'
hi' A Fa
NEW LIFE-BOAT.—The Steam-tug Compa"Y A.O
added to their establishment a large, commodious,,,`-iiger..ill,
plete life-boat. She will, on the occurrence of uttid i*.co'
towed to sea by one of the company's steamersC:o re_'o,
there cannot be a doubt, be found extremely usefto,., dvdt,
ing shipwrecked mariners from danger and, prObAbi'ccide;iy
ACCIDENT TO PRINCE ALBERT.—On Monday s" gce,l).o,
which might have proved of very serious consequltrne'co
pened to his Royal Highness Prince Albert, while J",,,ing,
towards Ascot Heath, the spot selected for the tu4o.lio ipt
of the stag for the royal hunt. His royal highness' hot i'l
mounted on a fine-spirited horse, left the castle she sold'o'clock,
o'clock, and, in coming down the Home Park,t tbst'3o/
took fright and ran away. His royal highness, nuv'A,die t°,.jog
ing he is a good rider, was precipitated from his Ow d Ils 0.
ground, but, fortunately, was not much hurt, IT, to ).I,leo
mounted another horse, which was speedily brorig'4o (10ile
proceeded on to the " meet." Her majesty, schcwthe cli"
in a phteton by Prince Ernest, had not quitted e'
gates when the occurrence alluded to took place. h 3 erg
THE WEATHER.—Within the last few days, sue has 1,'01(
ficial change has taken place in the weather IS the 'r6#
seldom been experienced ; so much so indeed th3tThe gdo
face of nature has assumed a different aspect; 00;01
has put on its summer livery ; and the corn, willu.o, i,5 ll'
siderable affected by the late cold and wet sen clesiv",;ol.',
looking as prosperous as the most fastidious coul
lootoorito
the neighbourhood of Retfortit"t4, wheats are u:, the sP Of,
promising, particularly theearty um) flats ; whil; rains, to,l
sown is improving daily. Since the late genis' iota, 01J,
barley has been making its appearance most ltisur seel:lso
farmers state. they have never.seen it look
pasture-grounds have improved almost beyond be iOi
0'
caster Gazette. ~, ftev• rii.
INDUCTION OF TUE VICAR OF PRESTON.-1 'P stt, 20. it!
Parr, A.M., recently appointed 'vicar 'of this Olio 6 Ite
red
in Preston on Thursday morning, and his visit w,.bel o'.,ce
welcomed by cheerful peals from the parish chure",, the.rot
rev. gentleman some time afterwards event throug!''to I.l‘o,
ral ancient cerenroni*performed at thi inductioomr, Jvf,
in the church. Perhaps we may adOere, thattfoo
better•iiev-if•
preached a most exCeltent sermon on:good Frids..44-iy ce..site(
and after Wards took part in
'theolitnorin?lnnicanits 'ied U.,ite
e..9l7rnuri:on
,ss,lis gi:ei ot
which occasion. the number
than usual. The reYerend,geutlCthi'4 also presS
_ore
evening to a large, 'Sttentiv, and, highly grati tie '
tion.—Preston Pilot. .
.