The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-04-04 00:00:00

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PARISH OF ST. MARY, NEWINGTON.

This populoue parish has long been agitated by local
eoronsotion. and on Easter Tuesday, the day on which the
different parocbialofficers are annually chosen, the church
presented a scene of turbulence and wrangling, equalled
only by it. renowned prototype St. Matthew, Bethnal-
green. The opposed parties mustered strong, sod
were mutually prepared to dispateevery inch of ground.
At 5 o'clock the Rector, Mr. Onslow, took the chair,
and the election of officers immediately commenced, by
his nominating Mr. Roily, as his Warde'n.
Mr. CRANLIE then proposed Mr. Ed. Jones. of Kent.
street, as Mr. Roffy's colleague, nod passed a high cult,-
giurn on hie character.
Mr. Jones was seconded by Mr. Fain.
Mr. Jos. MAITLAND then rose. and in an eloquent
speech, in which be alluded to the importent services and
upright conduct of Mr. Palmer during the time he had
seised the office, expressed his desire of seeing that gen-
tleman re-elected, and concluded by moving an amend-
ment to that effect.
This amendment having been seconded, a noisy and
personal debate ensued. On the one side.it was tontended
that a Churchwarden was not eligible foi re-election. and
that no instance of the sort was to be found in the annals
of that parish. To this it was replied, that in every case.
where the people of this country were called upon to ex-
ercise their elective franchise, they might re-elect the
same person. It was instanced more than once in the
ease of the Chief Magistrate of the city of London: and,
ruareover, it bad occurred in this very parish, and for
this very office ; for, independently of the case of Mr.
rainier himself, it appeared that, nearly two hundred
years ago, the same ',arson served the office of Perish War-
den fur 1 consecutive years.
Mr. Huecosins, Mr. W. WINSTON, ME. Russimi, Mr.
Vice etre, and several other lientlemen, addressed the
Vestry ; but the noise and confusion that prevailed,
prevented us from gathering even the substance of their
remarks.
The RECTOR declared the show of hands to be in fa.
vow of Mr. Jones; upon which the friends of Mr. Palmer
demanded a poll, which was immediately commenced,
and continued open till 12 o'clock, when Mr. Palmer was
ileAered duly elected, by a majority of about 60 votes.
Before the close of the poll several gentlemen hati, how-
ever, requested the Reverend Chairman to proceed with
the election of the other officers, as the Local Act of Par-
liament made it imperative for the Overseers, Hoternors,
Onanliane, &c. to be chosen on Paster To .sday, and
twelve o'clock was rapidly approaching.
The CITA ellen replied, that he couldattend hut to one
11%inc.:is at once, and 12 o'clock arrived without even a
norniaation.
During this contest oe lament to state, that the differ-
ent partisans resorted to every species of invective, and
even personal violence. One highly respectable fettle-
man was actually taken into custody for an assault, but
was rescued by his party. We are, however, informed,
that the matter sill not be suffered to rest here.
After the t umbers were declared,the Chairman left the
chair, and this disorderly assembly gradually dispersed.
It was proposed to adjourn, but on referring to the Local
Act it was found that they had no power to do so, and
thns the parish is left, with the exception of Churchward-
ens, altogether w ithout officers. The duties of the gen-
tlemen who are now acting terminate in the ensuing
week. From this dilemma we see but one means of the
parish being extricated.—The disputes of the inhabitants
et Betlinal•green have procured fur them two sets of offi-
cers, while the disputes in Newington have left them
n; hoot any. It is deeply to be lamented that euels-ess-._
happy disputes should exist, especially at a time when
the parochial hardens cannot but heavily press upon ti.e
inkabitaots. The m nag-ment of the new churches is
reposed to much cavil, and the expense already incurred
was grievously complained of. The following statement
of the expenditure is said to be correct:—
ST. MARY, NEWINGTON, SURREY.
An Epitome of Messrs. Chinon and Co. for procuring the
Act of Parliament for building two new churches in this
parish, llth Feb. 1923 :---
IRSSIONS 1819 AND 192:1.
Solicitor's retaining fee
Paid J. Mason for delivering the rector's circa-
lets :o the parishioners
Drawing bill, fair copies thereof *olio 636, filling
up blanks, and examinlog proof 227 14 2
Attendance on Mr. Oaslow, Mr. Roffy,and other
parishioners..
Attendances on Lord Shaftesbury, Mr. Sumner,
and other Members of Parliament... 29 10 8
Attendance on his Majesty's Commissioners and
their Secretary. l3 14 0
Attendance at the Houses of Lords and Com-
mons. sod upon Messrs. Lay and Jones, our
agents there lOl 13
Attendsnees upon witnesses and their fees 4tl 16 6
Attendances upon printers, and their bills for
printing
Attending the vestry clerks atLambeth and other
parishes in the neighbourhood toobtain infor-
mation as to their rates, when it c:early ap-
peared that t'e parish of Newington was
much lower rated, and paid less amount to
the poor, in proportion to its population, than
other parishes, sod drawing statement thereof
Attendances of Messrs. Clutton and Co. at the
Houses of Lords and Comma)s as a, itnesszs
Attendances of Messrs.Clutton and Co.'s Clerks
at the Houses of Lords sad Commons.
Attendance on counsel
Fees paid counsel and clerk
. Drawlog petition, fair copies on parchment
Drawing briefs.statements and observations for
Members of Parliament. fair copies thereof
Drawing notices for Gazettes, newspapers, in-
sertions therein, and attendance therewith. .
Writing letters, and sending circulars to Mem-
bers of Parliament, copies of reports and or-
eters, reading the same as well as statement,
and petitions of the opposers to the bill.
Coach hire. porterage. slid postage
Unceasiog trouble and loss of time, which could
not be specially charged.
Seetions fee, two sessions . ..... • •
Our parliamentary agent's bill

Z. s. d.
2 2 0

6 0 0

6! 4 4

4 4 0

16 16 0

6 6 0
28 10 4
13.4 1
8 18 8

94 16 9

18 8 6