We the undersigned of your Committee, for Letting, &c., the Hall, beg to
present this further Report with respect to the application of the
Honorary Secretaries of the proposed Literary and Scientific Institution,
which you referred to us from the Committee of Works and for General
Purposes, on the 16th October (1).
On the 20th of October Mr. Bull attended us and explained his views, and
followed up that interview with a letter, which was before us on the 19th
November, in which, on behalf of the Council, he thanked the Vestry for
the liberal manner in which they received the application for setting
apart a suite of rooms, with the use of the Hall, for the purposes of the
intended Institution. The letter proceeded:—
The Council sincerely rejoice in the view taken by the Vestry of the
utility and benefit of such an institution to the whole body of
ratepayers, and whilst they would desire to fix their home in the new
Vestry Hall as a central point for their members, they do not for one
moment expect that any of the necessary expenses incidental to the
use and occupation of the rooms and hall should fall upon the
ratepayers, but the Council will most readily be prepared to pay
every such charge arising from the lighting, warming, or cleansing of
the same.
The Council are anxious to make the Institution a credit and a
benefit to the whole body of parishioners, and by fixing a low rate
of subscription, to enable every person, however humble his position,
to become a member, should he have the inclination to avail himself
of its privileges. The rate of subscription to a large proportion of
the members would not exceed 3d. per week, the highest being one
guinea per annum.
In reply we informed Mr. Bull “that we were of opinion that £30 per annum
(being the interest upon £1000) would be a fair sum, alike equitable to
the members of the Institution and the ratepayers, to be paid as rent for
the suite of rooms and the use of the hall one evening in the week, the
Institution themselves bearing the incidental expenses of lighting,
warming, and cleansing the same, as stated in his note. That if the
council agree to those terms, and will make a proposal to that effect, we
would lay it before the Vestry for their approval.”
The Council then addressed to us the following letter, to which we have
given the most attentive consideration:—
“19, Walpole Street, Chelsea,
December 3, 1860.
To the Committee of the New Vestry Hall, Chelsea,—Gentlemen,—We beg
to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st instant, and to
thank you for allowing our Council the use of your room for their
weekly meetings.
The Council have taken into consideration the proposal of the Vestry
Committee for letting them the suite of rooms and use of the hall for
£30 per annum, as a rent for the same, besides paying all expenses
incurred for cleansing, warming, and lighting.
The Council are apprehensive that this proposal may prove a stumbling
block to their future progress!
The object of the promoters of the Institution was, to establish a
Literary and Scientific Society so comprehensive in its objects, and
at the same time so accessible to all classes, that it might possess
almost all the advantages of a free library, without its
inconveniences.
To accomplish this desirable end, the Council fixed a low rate of
subscription, so that the industrious mechanic might share the
advantages of the Institution, in common with all the other classes
of the inhabitants.
In order however to meet the views of the Vestry Committee, so far as
the faithful carrying out of the above purpose will permit, and also
to expedite the arrangement between the Vestry and the Council, the
following resolution was agreed to at a special meeting of the
Council on Thursday evening last, the Rev. Frederick Blunt in the
chair:—
“Resolved,—That in answer to the letter of the Vestry Committee of
the 21st instant, the following proposal be submitted in lieu of that
contained their letter:—
“‘That the sum of £40 per annum be offered to the Vestry Committee as
the utmost that the Council can give consistently with the avowed
objects of the Institution, this sum to include the use and
occupation of the three rooms, with conveniences, on the ground floor
of the building, and use of the large hall once a week, together with
all expenses incurred for lighting and warming, the Council taking
upon themselves to keep in order the three rooms, leaving the
cleansing of the large hall in the hands of the Vestry.’
“The Council trust that the Vestry will take an enlarged and liberal
view of this proposition; and whilst the stated rent of £30 per annum
would be of infinitesimal value to the ratepayers, this sum, in
addition to the other charges, would prove a heavy burden on the
funds of the Institution, if it did not altogether put an end to its
future proceedings.—We are, Gentlemen, your obedient servants, Thos.
Bull, Markham R. Evans, Hon. Secs.”
We find that the cost of lighting, warming, and cleansing the hall and
anterooms, and of warming and lighting the suite of rooms, will reach, on
a moderate estimate, £38 19s. (say £40) per annum, and we continue of
opinion that if the Vestry undertake these expenses, the Institution
should pay in addition, for the reasons above stated, £30 per annum as
rent.
We understand that an influential deputation will attend you this day
upon the subject. We therefore, as the application is for the permanent
occupation of a portion of these premises, leave the ultimate decision of
the question respectfully in your hands.
Respectfully submitted,
BLAZDELL W. NEWTON FINCH
WILLIAM RABBITS W. HALL
J. H. LEETE J. PERRY.
ESTIMATE LAID BEFORE THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THE 21ST FEBRUARY, 1861, BY
THE VESTRY CLERK, OF THE TOTAL PROBABLE COST OF THE VESTRY HALL
BUILDINGS, INCLUDING THE FITTINGS AND FURNITURE.
£ _s._ _d._
SITE—Purchase of 1920 0 0
the Leasehold
Interest of Nos. 5,
6, and 7, Manor
Terrace
Mr. Graham for 25 0 0
Possession
Mr. Walgrave, 280 0 0
Purchase-money of
the Leasehold
Interest of the
Garden at the rear
Cost of the 400 0 0
Freehold, invested
in Three per Cent.
Consols, producing
£427 2s. 1d
Messrs. Lee & 272 2 2
Pemberton Law
Charges
Ditto for Mr. 13 0 0
Brooks’ ditto
2910 2 2
BUILDING—Messrs. 87 1 0
Willis & Cowley,
Excavations
Mr. J. Corbett, 10 12 2
Drainage Works
Messrs. Piper & 5630 0 0
Son, Contract
Extras (See Mr. 1492 10 2
Pocock’s
Certificate)
Omissions (See Mr. 315 4 6
Pocock’s
Certificate)
1177 5 8
Further Works, 100 0 0
January 28,1861
6907 5 8
7004 18 10
FITTING—Messrs Piper & Son, see ditto 565 0 5
Messrs. Weeks & Co., Hot Water Apparatus 220 15 0
(say)
Messrs. Buckley & Beach, Lighting (ditto) 180 7 6
Messrs. Fuller Brothers, Blinds 36 10 0
Messrs. Toby and Son, Sundries 25 18 10
1028 11 9
FURNISHING—Mr. Chapman, Seats, Chairs, 266 16 0
&c., (say)
Mr. Dawes, Tables (ditto) 72 2 0
M. Bosson, 500 Rush Chairs 37 10 0
Mr. Jackson, Looking Glasses, &c. 6 17 6
Mr. Davis, Mats 16 16 4
Messrs. Smith & Baber, Matting, &c., 50 0 0
(say)
Sundries (ditto) 50 0 0
500 1 10
SUNDRIES—Architect and Clerk of the Works 427 0 0
(say)
Premiums for Designs and Exhibition of 81 14 0
same
Watson & Son, Loan Charges 26 17 6
Piper & Son, First Stone 24 1 10
Pocock ditto 5 15 0
Vestry Clerk ditto 25 13 3
Rev. Mr. Huelin, Compensation 25 0 0
616 1 7
£12059 16 2
Abstract of the Foregoing.
Cost of Site £2910 2 2
,, Building 7004 18 10
,, Fitting 1028 11 9
,, Furnishing 500 1 10
,, Sundries 616 1 7
£12059 16 2
_Cr._
By Proceeds of Sale of 187 18 6
Old Houses
,, Dividends on 24 12 1
Consols
212 10 7
Net Estimated Cost £11847 5 7