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REPORT OF THE VESTRY CLERK.
Gentlemen,
During the year ending Lady-day, 1876., the amount
collected on the Poor's Rate was £48,438 9s. 1d.; the amount in the
pound levied for the four quarters was 2s. 3d., being for the quarter to
Midsummer, 5d.; to Michaelmas, 6d.; to Christmas, 8d.; and to
Lady-day, 8d. The gross amount levied was £50,658, from which has
to be deducted losses from defaulters, excused, vacant premises, and
allowances to owners, which, for this year, is equal in all to about
7 per cent. of the gross amount charged, or 1 per cent. less than last
year. A small portion of the amount collected this year is upon rates
previously made.
The losses from removals, empty houses, &c., on rates made for
the year ending Lady-day, 1875, amounted to 2.45 per cent. of the entire
rate; for the year ending Lady-day, 1876, the proportion was 2.80 per
cent.
It is hardly possible to reduce the loss below this figure, and it will
depend much upon the state of trade, demand for labour, and price of
provisions whether it can even be maintained.
The amount of the Guardians' Calls for the year ending Lady-day,
1875, was £33,000; and for the last year £38,000; and for the halfyear,
Lady-day to Michaelmas, 1876, is £21,000.
The amount owing to the Guardians at Lady-day, 1875, was
£3500, or one month's instalment, with cash at hand to meet it. In
March last, a draft was signed on the 21st, and on the 25th the
half-year's precept was fully discharged.