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

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
:he proceedings by reading the notice convening the meeting.
Mr. HARDY produced a newspaper in which the notice
gad 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 compulsory by the act of parliament.
Mr. HARDY said it was ordered by the last vestry that the
notice shoald 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. HARDY enquired in what papers notice of the meet-
ing had been given ?
Mr. BIRKETT 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. BIRKETT 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 his opinion,
whether the notice was a legal notice or not?
Mr. SANDARS (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. BIRKETT 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 ornamental building, church-
men•ought to subscribe for it themselves, and not lay a rate
for it on the parish.
Mr. LAWRENCE HEYWORTII 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. BIRKETT 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 £3O but he had only got
£9 12s. 6d. Other mistakes had also occurred.
Mr. LAWRENCE HEYWORTII 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. BIRKETT 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 had he been expending his own money,
but it belonged to the public and ought to be safely guarded.
(Hear, 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 bad no
paid their rates. 0

Mr. SANDARS said that no person as entitled to vote or
be present unless he had paid his churh 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 prospect of economy for the future, he
would vote that the accounts do pass, having 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. H A RDY.—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.) I maintain that £7OO has been expended
illegally, and I demand a poll.
Mr. L. HEYWORTII 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. HARDY.—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. HEYWORTII said Mr. Hardy might enjoy his own
opinion ; lnit those who thought otherwise would not depart
from theirs because he conceived a poll necessary.

A PARISHIONER begged to ask the Vestry-clerk whether
this payment was legal or not ?
Mr. SAND ARS 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 money in hand
to repair the walls was not legal? Was there a lawyer pre-
sent who weld tell him that the expenditure of money for
that purpose was not legal?
Mr. LEDGER would not take the law from the ipse dixit

of any gentleman. There was a motion made last year that
the►e should be no rate, and that had not been entered on the
books. -
A PARISHIONER said. that he 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. WEBDE.—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. "EBB.-But you cannot pull down after you have
once erected. _ . _

Mr. H ALL recommended that they should at once decide
whether there should be a poll.
Mr. L. HLvwon•rut 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. C ARTWRIGHT.-I move that the poll be taken accord-

g 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. BinKETT replied in the affirmative.
Mr. \%EBB would take the liberty of asking whether Mr.
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. WEBB.—Then I say Mr. Hardy has no right to be
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'll
not carry your point by trying to put me down.
Mr. WEBB.—You may be present by courtesy ; but you
have no right to be here unless you have paid your rates.
Mr. LEDGER said if Mr. Hardy was disqualified he would
demand a poll.
Mr. HARDT said that according to the best legal Whorl-

tics he had a right to demand a poll, notwithstanding he had
not paid his rates. (Uproar.)
After some further discussion, the details of which it was

npossible to collect amidst the disorder that prevailed, the
lotion was understood to be withdrawn. _ _

The CHAIRMAN said that, on behalf of the Rector of Wal-
ton, he begged to name Mr. Thomas Birkett as the rector's
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 came
into that neighbourhood, could have induced him to take
-office again. It had been asked why Mr. Formby, his brother
churchwarden, was not there. He would not say ; but they
had worked together harmoniously, excepting on one point.
A PARISHIONER.—Was not that difference about this
wall?

Mr. BIRKETT.—We did not differ with regard to any ex-
pense.
A. PARISHIONER said he had heard on respectable autho-
rity, that the reason why Mr. Formby was not present was,
that he expected to be asked some questions which he would
not like to answer.
Mr. SANDARS had reason to think that Mr. Formby's
absence was caused by his attendance at the Board of Guar-
dians, at Low-hill workhouse, to hear some communication

•
from the poor-law commissioners.
Mr. HOLT then moved, and a l'Antsztioxua seconded :1
resolution, to the effect that Mr. John Broadbent be ap-
pointed the other churchwarden. It was carried.
_

A long and unimportant discussion followed on the ques-
tion, whether the powers of the two churchwardens were
equal. It terminated in a resolution proposed by Mr. HALL,
to the effect, that the churchwardens have equal power and
controul over the disbursements of any rate that may be
laid.

The CHAIRMAN then announced that the next business
would be the levying of a church-rate for the year ensuing.
Mr. HALL moved that a rate of two pence in the pound
be granted.
Mr. Rosicira, seconded the motion. It was disgraceful to
a parish like Walton, that the church wall was not rebuilt.
About £9OO would rebuild it, and the remainder of the
money would be appropriated to current expenses.
Mr. LEYLAND said that less than 24d. would not be suf-
ficient.
Mr. CARTWRIGHT hoped that so long as the law placed
the burden of repairing the church on the parishioners, it
would be observed ; and he trusted a 2!,d. rate would be
granted. It would be a paltry consideration to every indi-
vidual in the parish.
• Mr. L. HEYWORTII, in a long speech, said that, although
he was a churchman, he should oppose the rate, on the ground
that it was unjust, and also that the parishioners could not
be taxed but with their own consent.

Mr. BAINES supported the motion, and Mr. LEDGER
supported it.
A very long and most irregular debate followed, in which
all sorts of topics were introduced.
On a division, the CHAIRMAN declared that the majority
was against the rate. This announcement was received with
shouts of applause by the anti-rate party.
A poll was then demanded by Mr. CARTWRIGHT and Mr.
LEYLAND, which the
•CITAIRMAN granted, and announced
that it would be taken according to Sturges Bourne's Act,
and commence at ten o'clock on Thursday morning, in the
School-room.
Thanks were then voted to the rearing churchwarden 6
and to the chairman, and the meeting separated.

THE POLLING-GLORIOUS TRIUMPH OF THE

CITURC,II..
In accordance with the notice, the polling commenced at
ten o'clock yesterday morning, in the School-room in the
church-yard. The " liberal" party the day before had Alen'
tifully circulated hand-bills calling on the people, if the!'
wished to be robbed, to go and poll for the rate, and con-
taining other similar ingenuities, betraying a consciousness
of weakness in their camp. On the other hand, the frieno
of the church used no clap-trap—they relied on the got'
sense of the parishionerA, and on their attachment to the in-
stitutions of their country.
The Rev. Mr. Moss presided. Exactly at four o'clock
the poll-books were closed, and the Rev. Chairman an'
nounced this gratifying result :

For the Rate
Against the Rate

Persons.
273
144

votes.
630
258

372

MAJORITY FOR THE RATE 129
The poll will be resunlettat ten o'clock this morning.

KIRKDALE SESSIONS.

The Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the division 01
Kirkdale commenced' yesterday, at the Court-house, Kirk'
dale, before the Rev. Jonathan Brooks, Chairman, and $
full bench of Magistrates.
The calendar is unusually light, there being only fifty -five
cases for trial.
The following gentlemen were sworn on the Grand Jul
—George Walker, Aughton ; Henry Underwood, Aughtoo;
W. C. Jones, Bedford; John Aspinall, Ormskirk ; George
Harriott, Ormskirk ; Sylvester Morecroft, Ormskirk ; NC°.
Barton, Warrington ; Hugh Clare, Warrington ; Tholosi
May, Warrington ; Thomas Robinson, Warrington ;
mund Hill, Atley ; Ralph Poole, Allerton ; Wtn. Settle, Ate
lerton ; Robert Gill, Much Woolton; Joseph Allen, Litt,
Woolton; Peter Weadle, Warrington; John Gaskell, Pres-
cot ; Thomas Morecroft, Aughton.
Mr. Thomas Bowkcr, of Warrington, and Mr. Robt.Neit
son, of Much Woolton, were each tined X 5. for non.atteW
ance.
The CHAIRMAN, in addressing the grand jury, said, tllllt,
on looking over the calendar he was happy to congratuit
them on its being a short one, and both to save their ti'
and that the court might not be kept longer than necessary, u;
was glad to say that the number of persons brought the'',
was very greatly reduced. He did' not see that there We`d
any. cases but those continually coming before the 01%
juries, and about which they would feel no difficulty ; bu' 'e
they found any difficulty the court would be happy to g'vj
them any information. lie was not aware of anything that h$
occurred since they last met requiring particular observaii°T
excepting as regarded the Rural Police Act, which was 11°‘',
in force. An act was lately passed, authorising those cou,l,le
ties who chose to adopt it, to form a rural police for ,
agricultural and rural portion of the county. In this eon%
that act had been adopted unanimously, and there was II e
dissentient voice raised against it by the magistrates Iron 11,
surrounding districts, at a large meeting, held for the PLuet
pose. Not only they themselves said it was necessary, but
they expressed the opinions of many persons round tib°-t,
them, saying, that the act was necessary on this ahx°`l9,4
In many of the large towns they had established a very I;°(,,e
and excellent police force, and the consequence was, that
thieves would be driven from the towns to live on the rued
portions of the country, if there were no protection atiorogeto
to them, the depredations in the town would be removed ,De
the country, and that had already' been experienced in ts
neighbourhood of Liverpool. The establishment of
rural police would have the effect of protecting the proPeroN•
of those who lived separate from large towns. It was 000,
organizing, and in many of the principal parts of the cotloles
it was already in force. They had been successful in securlhe
the services of Captain Woodford, as superintendent, A
tha
hoped it would be found•of great service in protecting
property of the country. of
A few cases were afterwards disposed of, but they were
no public interest.

tl3'
NEW LIFE-80a.T.--The Steam-tug Company have J
oy,
added to their establishment a large, commodious, and c°
plete life-boat. She will, on the occurrence ofdangerlol,
.
towed to sea by one of the company's steamers, and 01'
there cannot be a doubt, be found extremely useful iu
ing shipwrecked mariners from danger and, probably, ele-t,
ACCIDENT TO PRINCE ALBERT.—On Monday an acciugp.
which might have proved of very serious consequence, °jog
pened to his Royal Highness Prince Albert, while jourue)oot
towards Ascot Heath, the spot selected for the turuiagos
of the sta onofr the royal hunt. His royal highness, wlw„ira,
mounted a fine-spirited horse, left the castle about !'l,Ol
o'clock, and, in coming down the Home Park, the a1,.'„10,1'
took fright and ran away. His royal highness, notwiths:,the
ing he is a good rider, was precipitated from his saddle wi,aig
ground, but, fortunately, was not much hurt, and 110,
mounted another horse, which was speedily brought tei,riveu
proceeded on to the " meet." Her majesty, who was "cotle
in a phaeton by Prince Ernest, had not quitted the
gaTHE
when
WE A h t
THER e occurrence
With i allu
the last few days,e ben
such a verY
ficial change has taken place in the weather as Ill,llole
seldom been experienced ; so much so indeed that the
face of nature has assumed a different aspect. Tile 'coo'
has put on its summer livery ; and the corn, which sva.s. 1301/
siderable affected by the late cold and wet season, 1,0
looking as prosperous as the most fastidious could de'',,,,oulY
the neighbourhood of Retford, the wheats, are Imola .priag
promising, particularly theearly sown flats ; whilst the the,
sown is improving daily. Since the late genial !Intl:. and
barley has been making its appearance most !uxorial' as and
farmers state they have never seen it look better. S,!7___por
pasture-grounds have improved almost beyond belief.
easier Gazette. f
INDUCTION OF THE VICAR OF PRESTON.—The rose
Parr, A.M., recently appointed vicar of this parish, aecailY
in Preston on Thursday morning, and his visit was The
welcomed by cheerful peals from the parish church belle,
rev. gentleman some tune afterwards went through tn I;villgs
ral ancient ceremonies performed at the induction t(;,_!: For
in the church. Perhaps we may add here, that l'sllLrrogo
preached a most excellent sermon on Good Friday
and afterwards took part in the holy communion se :Ire,irel
which occasion the number of communicauts jbin the
than usual. The reverend gentleman also preaullet.;,rega*
evening to a large, attentive, and highly gratified 0"
tion.—Preston Pilot.