View report page

129
Vestry Minutes, Monday, 19th March, 1770. Resolved that the
Churchwardens be desired to consider of and Report concerning
the expediency of removing the Watch Box from the Plasterer's
Arms in St. Margaret's Street to the opposite side of the way
by the Record Office.
The Minutes of the same day enable the public opinion
on 'the watch' to be gleaned:—
Mr. Sayer having acquainted the Vestry that in a Committee of the
Honourable House of Commons for taking into consideration the
cause of the great increase of Burglaries Sir John Fielding had
informed the Committee that the Pay of the Watchmen of this
Parish was only 8½d per night and that they were paid Quarterly.
Resolved that the Churchwardens be desired to attend the said
Committee at their Sitting to Morrow, and inform the said
Committee that the Watchmen have an additional Gratuity of
Two Guineas a Year, and that they are paid monthly.
Thursday, 12th July, 1770. Resolved that the Churchwardens be
desired to provide three new Watch Boxes.
Friday, 8th Oct., 1773. Resolved that the Inspectors of the Nightly
Watch have foul Weather Coats provided for them.
As instances of the vagaries of the watch, and, it may
also be said, of the troubles of the Vestry, the two
following entries have been copied:—
Thursday, 16th July, 1778. Mr. Alexander of Dartmouth Street
Apothecary attended this Vestry and complained that Mr.
Lane one of the Bedels of this Parish had greatly abused him
on the 8th Instant upon his Application at the Watch-house
to Enquire why the Watchman at the top of Queen Street was
not on duty.
Mr. Churchwarden Girdler signifies to the Vestry that on hearing
of the said Complaint he had advised Mr. Lane to ask Mr.
Alexander Pardon for the said Offence, but that Mr. Lane had
absolutely refused so to do.
The Vestry took the said Complaint into Consideration, and having
heard Witnesses and Evidence on both sides
A Motion was made and Seconded and the question put
That Mr. Lane for his said offence be Suspended from his said
office.
It passed in the Affirmative.
Resolved that Mr. Lane be suspended from his said office
accordingly.
A motion was made and Seconded and the question put
That Mr. Lane's Suspension be continued for Two months.
It passed in the Affirmative.
Resolved that the suspension of Mr. Lane from his said office be
for Two Months.
K