The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-05-10 00:00:00

CHURCH EXFENDITURE COMMITTEE

The proceedings of the Church-Expenditure Committee,
comprising a recommendation to authorise the committee to
take down a further portion of the tower of St. Michael's
Church, at the estimated additional expense of £4OO, and to
reduce the pew rents in St. Martin's Church, having been

read,
Mr. PARKER moved their confirmation.
Mr. EVANS asked whether the pews in St. Martin's Church
were occupied or the church filled, because otherwise he bad
no idea of reducing the rents. If the pews filled at their
present rents, they ought not to be lowered, and any reduc-
tion of the rents should not be conditional.
Mr. PLATT said that the seat rents in St. George's Church
had been reduced two years ago, in consequence of the mi-
nister having complained of the highness of the rents and the
poverty of the neighbourhood. The rents in St. Luke's, and
afterwards in St. Michael's, were next reduced, owing to a
similar cause ; but the expected result of the reduction had
not been produced. They were obliged, however, either to
lower the rents or to have the churches empty, as the in-
habitants of the respective neighbourhoods had become al-
tered in circumstances, and the rents in other churches were
lower in amount. The revenue was nevertheless inadequate,
but he justified the reduction of the rents for the reasons
stated, notwithstanding.
Mr. EVANS said he could see no good reason why the pew
rents of the corporation churches should be under the market
rate. The real cause of the reduction, in his opinion, was
the radical vice of the established church—the manner in
which the clergy were appointed. Men not only not at-
tractive, but who were often quite repulsive, were appointed,
and he believed this to be the cause of the churches not being
half filled. As to lowering the rates of the pews below the
market price, he protested against it, because such a plan
never produced commensurate results.
Mr. PARKER said the rents in St. Martin's Church at
present were £5 a year for six sittings down the centre aisle,
and that at this low rate there were not more than two-thirds
filled. The clergymen and churchwardens said that if they
were reduced to £4, the probability was that they would let
at that price ; and upon this advice the committee had acted,
and now made their recommendation to the council.
Mr. BRIGHT was of opinion that sufficient grounds
had not been shown for making the reduction. People
could not be induced to frequent a church the minister of
which was unpopular. If clergymen like the Rev. Mr.
Jones of St. Andrew's were appointed, the pew rents would
be £9 instead of £4. The principle of reducing the rents
was a bad one. If the ministers were not attractive, the
best course to pursue was to let them remain as long as they
were in existence, and then to make proper appointments,
provided the corporation had the power of presenting.
Mr. SANDS thought the market price was generally esta-
blished by the quality of the preacher in the church. (Hear,
and laughter.) If they had good men in the church, they
would have good rents ; and if otherwise they would have
no attendants. (Hear, hear.)
The conversation here dropped ; and the proceedings were
confirmed

BOROUGH COURT COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of the Borough Court and Court of
Requests Committee were read and confirmed.

HEALTII COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of the Health of the Town Committee,
comprising a recommendation that Andrew Clarke and his
wife be appointed keeper and matron of the Baths and Wash-
house in Frederick-street, were read and confirmed.

COURTS OF LAW dOICIMITTEB:

The proceedings of the Courts of i.;;;.COmmittee, com-
prising the architect's report, were read. The architect
stated that the works were proceeding slowly but satisfacto-
rily, and that the only difficulty which had arisen was in
te,pect of theloundation, occasioned by the flowing in of a
great quantity of water, which would incur considerable ex-
pense to overcome, as the bottom of the shaft was lower
than the drain. The proceedings were confirmed.

DOCK COMMITTEE

The proceedings of the Dock Committee having been read,
Mr. SANDS moved their confirmation.

Mr. ROBINSON asked whether it would not be a saving of
expense to the estate if the material of the new dock were
removed by carts instead of by a tram way'?
Mr. SANDS expressed himself sorry that the gentleman
did not seem to understand the subject. It was quite enough
for him to say that the expense of removing the excavations
by a railroad would be less than if they were removed by
either carts or water.

Mr. ROBINSON said that carting would afford employment
to a great many people.
Mr. SANns admitted that it would afford employment,
but said it would entail considerable expense. The saving,
by the adoption of the present course, would amount to be-
tween £3OOO and £4OOO.
Mr. Alderman EA.RLE said the streets were bad enough
already without having more carting over them.
The proceedings were then confirmed.