View report page

22
This Act does not abolish making the Church Rate, but abolishes the enforcement of
payment of a Church Rate.
The Local Justices feel a difficulty in enforcing the Rate, and have written the
folio iving letter.
Islington,
7th August, 1874.
Dear Sir,
Has the opinion of Counsel been taken whether the various iteni3 in the Churchwardens'
Rate are without doubt within the exceptions specified in the 2nd Sec. of
the Church Rates Abolition Act 1868, or will such an opinion shortly be taken.
We have already been called upon to sign Sumnnnses to defaulters, but we
should hesitate to grant Warrants for recovery of the Rates, if there should be any
doubtful items in the Churchwardens' Rate.
If an opinion has been taken we should be glad to see the case and opinion before
hearing the su mmonses.
We, are, Dear Sir,
You is truly,
J. B. PRICE,
J. Layton, Esq., RICH!). HAZARD.
Vestry Clerk, Islington.
The attention of counsel is especially directed to the Churchwardens' Account,
the Islington Local Acts (left herewith), the Abolition of Church Rates Act, and to
the Burials Act, and he is requested to advise the Vestry for its guidance hereafte
as well as for the guidance of future Churchwardens; whether any, and, if any,
which of the charges are, in his opinion, improper to be charged in the Churchwardens'
Account; and if improper in that Account, whether they can properly bj included in
the "General Account " of the Vestry.
Whether any, and, if any, which of the charges are "illegal," and in what
respect, and if illegal to what Account they can be properly charged. In fact, are
any of the charges within the meaning of the Compulsory Church Rate Act, 31 & 32
Vict, cap. 100.
Whether any, and, if any, which of the charges are payable by the Burial Boar J
Are tho pew rents of the Parish Church and Chapel-of-Ease liable for payment
of the insurance of those buildings, and should the buildings not be insured and be
destroyed by fire, would any liability attach to the Churchwardens for the nonineurance,
and who would be liable to build the Church and Chapel.
All parties are, it is believed, willing if it can be legally done, to transfer the
charges to the General Account of the Vestry, so that the items might be included in
and collected as part of that rate. Counsel will please advise whether that course can
be adopted, the Churchwarden by requisition from time to time calling upon the
\estry for payment. To advise the Vestry and Churchwardens generally.