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The Committee recommended the Vestry to take the opinion of Counsel for their
guidance, and the Vestry resolved—
"That the Vestry Clerk be authorised to obtain the opinion of Counsel
"on a case to be prepared by him, setting forth amongst other matters, the
"several items in the Churchwardens' Account which have been objected to."
A printed copy of the Churchwardens'Account is sent herewith, and Counsel's
attention is directed specially to "The General Account."'
The items objected to as being "improper" if not "illegal" seem to be those
for " labour and materials and repairs at tho Parish Burial Grounds " (which have been
closed for several years under the Burials Acts), tho remuneration and clothing for a
man placed in the old Churchyard (which is a public thoroughfare) to take care of the
yard, painting the iron railings there, rent of house in the Chapel-of-Ease Ground, in
which the Chapel-of-Ease Beadle resides (this person is also an Oflicer of the Vestry
of the Parish, being a Lamp Inspector, and from the time of the erection of the Chapel
about 50 years ago, the Beadle has resided in the house rent free, but there seems to
be no resolution of the Vestry for this purpose). Bell ringing on days of Public
rejoicings.
These Charges have for years and years past been included and charged as shewn
in tho printed account now sent.
The Beadle at the Chapel-of-Ease is appointed by the inhabitants of St. Mary's
District of the Parish, Sec. 19 of 2nd William IV., cap 26, and by Sec. 7 of the same
Act, the incidental expenses of carrying on Divine Worship in the Chapel-of-Ease are
defrayed out of the portion of the Stonetield Estate awarded for that purpose, and out
of the Stonetield rents and a salary of £20 a year are paid.
The items which is said are "illegal" are those in the "General Account," as
follows: —
Insurance of the Parish Church.
Tfce like Chapel-of-Ease.
Clothes for Beadle.
Work in tho Church Ground.
Repairing the Church Bells.
Winding up the Clocks in the Steeple and Tower of the Church and Chapel.
Ringing the Parish Church Bells.
Kent of Beadle's House at the Chapel-of-Ease.
The Sexton's Salary, £50 a year.
Asa matter of fact all the charges alleged to be improper and illegal have always
heretofore been charged in the Churchwardens' Account. With reference to the
Sextons salary, it was arranged by the Vestry in 1855,when the Burial Grounds were