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"The Latin huchia, in Picardy and Scotland huche, English hutch, was a long wooden box, from whence
possibly a huckster, who carried about goods to sell in such a box,"—White Kennett's Glossary to his Paroch,
Antiq. in verbo Hoke.
In the table of Receipts, the column containing Interest, &c. includes, in 1810, the sum of L25, 18s. 2d. from St. Mary's Hospital; also, in 1813, the sum of L55, and, in 1824, a further sum of
L262, 6s. 7d. for money lent the coal-trade. The L42 for interest, paid some years, was upon the town-clerk's bond. The fourth column in the table of Disbursements, for the year 1809, is supposed to contain the sums wanted in the blank columns for that year. The sums paid for property amounted, in 1810, to L1980, and, in 1820, to L1106, 7s. 6d.
The auditors, in 1826, made the balance L409, 16s. 1½d.
From the above it appears that the average annual receipts of the
corporation, during the last 18 years, were upwards of L38,142.--On closing the audit in 1809, the total debt of the corporation on
annuities and money borrowed on interest amounted to L96,318, 9s.
In 1826, it amounted to L89,479, 19s. 7d. besides about L6000,
which is vested in the corporation for charitable purposes.
Notes on the Payments.---1810, Paid L1980 for premises pulled down and laid into the street. 1811,
for premises L6305, part of which are laid in the street. 1812, for the extension of the Quay at the
High Crane L3168, 3s. 7d.; House Carpenters' meeting-house L500, and next year L121, 2s. 2d.
1813. Subscription towards lighting the suburbs of Newcastle L700; subscription to Shields Road
branches (completing L2000) L500; Mr. Rennie on account of the Plan and Survey of the Tyne
L300; Mr. Clayton (town-clerk) bill for law charges L981, 8d.; subscription for the suffering Russians
L200; in aid of the soup kitchen 50 guineas, making in all 150 guineas. 1815, Mansion House expenses L835, 2s. 8d.; contingencies unexplained L4863, 16s. 2d. 1818, Town clerk's law bill L600,
15s. 6d.; Nicholas Giles, surveying the river, L1515, 5s. 10d.; Thomas Thompson, for piano-forte
and music for the Mansion House, L118, 15s. 6d.; donations to the saving bank L50. 1819, Town
clerk's raw bill L722, 6d.; expenses as to tolls, witnesses L126, 4s. Mr. Loftus'tavern bill L207,
13s. 2d. total L333, 17s. 2d. 1820, Town clerk's law bill L2015, 11s. 9d. for prosecuting Major
Anderson in 1811 L185, 1s. 1d. total L2200, 12s. 10d.; Makepeace and Harker, for a piece of plate
presented to R. H. Williamson, Esq. recorder. L105, 5s. 2d.; expenses as to tolls L624, 9s.; for the
relief of distressed seamen at Nort, Shields L52, 10s. 1821. Town clerk's law bill L914, 17s. 10d.;
counsel's opinion (for what?) L52, 10s.; receiving port dues L315; coronation expenses L896, 7s. 8d.
1822, Town clerk's law bill L870, 1s. 6d.; river police (1-4th to be repaid by colliery owners) L601,
5d; Mrs. Carr, Northd. Arms, for damage done her house Oct. 14, 1819, L70; mayor's visit to Duke
of Northd. L53. 18s. 10d.; a snuff-box L64, 11s. 6d.; expenses as to tolls L337, 2s. 5d. 1823, Town
clerk's law bill L585, 8s. 6d.; river police L294. 11½d.; expenses during keelmen's stop L236, 18, 11d.;
this year, the bills for painting exceeded a guinea a day. 1824, Mansion House expenses L2055, 9s. 6d.
The auditors sometimes withhold the details of the disbursements; and when given, they do not always agree with the general statement. The particular items forming the total sums received have never
been made known.
In the preceding accounts, the falling off in rents and fines payable to the corporation will be found considerable. On the other hand, the sums collected for carrying ballast, &c. have rapidly advanced. This, in a
great measure, is to be attributed to the judicious arrangement made with the collector of the customs for the
collection of ballast dues. In 1734, a salary of 20 guineas was ordered to be paid Alfred Lawson, Esq. of
the custom-house, for his services in inforcing the payment of the town's dues before vessels were cleared:
but the present plan is more regular; and the allowance paid, though very liberal, is not more than the service merits. |