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expenses were to be charged; up to 1875-6 they were defrayed out of
the Churchwardens' rate, and since that time they have been paid out
of the general rate. The Committee submits a resolution on the
subject (No. 2, Appendix F) which it recommends the Vestry to adopt.
Bell-ringing
The Committee considers that it is within the discretion of the
Vestry to determine whether the ringing of the bells of the Parish
Church and of the Chapel-of-Ease on occasions of public rejoicing or
mourning shall be paid for out of the rates or not. The custom of
bell-ringing on such occasions is one which the Committee believes to
be in full accord with public sentiment, and, as Counsel in 1874
advised that expenditure for this purpose was legal, provided the
ringing was not preparatory to Divine Service, the Committee is of
opinion that the Vestry should pay for such ringing out of the
rates. As some doubt has been expressed whether the Vestry has
power to charge expenses of this nature upon the general rate, the
Committee calls attention to s.s. 92 and 161 of the Metropolis Local
Management Act, 1855 (18 and 19 Vic., cap. 120), which give a very
wide discretion to the Vestry in determining what expenses may be
defrayed out of that rate. The Committee submits a resolution on
the subject (No. 3, Appendix F), which it recommends the Vestry
to adopt.
Insurance
of Bells.
The attention of the Committee having been called to the charge
for insurance of the bells against fire which has appeared in the Churchwardens'
accounts since 1874, it has come to the conclusion that the
insurance of the bells must be treated as a part of the general insurance
of the buildings, and cannot therefore be legally paid for out of the
rates. It submits a resolution on the subject (No. 4, Appendix F)
which it recommends the Vestry to adopt.
Public
Clocks.
The existing clock was placcd in the tower of the Parish Church in
1875 by the Vestry, its cost being defrayed out of the general rate.
In 1877 the clock in the tower of the Chapel-of-Ease was cleaned
and repaired at the expense of the ratepayers. The maintenance of
these clocks in good working order is so obviously a matter of public
convenience and utility, that the Committee has no hesitation in
advising that the cost thereof be defrayed out of the rates, and submits
a resolution on the subject (No. 5, Appendix F) which it recommends
the Vestry to adopt.