S94 VALUATION OF TITHES. 



CHAPTER XII. 



TITHES. 



The value of the rent charge, charged upon any land in lieu of tithes 

 hy the apportionment, is reckoned as if one-third of it were invested in 

 wheat, one-third in barley, and one-third in oats, at certain fixed prices, 

 which were declared by 7 Will IV. and 1 Vict. c. 69, s. 7, to be 7s. Oid. 

 for a bushel of wheat, 3s. ll^d. for a bushel of barley, and 2s. 9d. for a 

 bushel of oats ; and by 6 & 7 Will. IV. c. 71, s. 56, the average is settled 

 each January from the returns of the seven previous years, ending on 

 the Thursday next before the preceding Christmas-day. The sum in 

 question is payable half-yearly, and issues out of the lands, and is liable 

 to rates, charges, and assessments in all respects as tithes were. And by 

 14 & 15 Vict. c. 25, s. 4, if any occupying tenant of land shall quit, 

 leaving such tithe rent-charge unpaid, and the tithe-owner shall give or 

 have given notice of proceeding by distress on the land for its recovery, 

 the landlord or the succeeding tenant or occupier may pay it, and re- 

 cover the sum and expenses as if it were a debt by simple contract due 

 from such first-named tenant or occupier. 



The several Acts of Parliament for the commutation of tithes in 

 England and Wales were lately extended by the 23 & 24 Vict. c. 93. 

 According to the new law, corn rents under local acts may be converted 

 into rent-charges, which rent-charges are to be appointed by the com- 

 missioners with power to appeal to a court of law. Tithes commuted 

 for a sum or rate per head of cattle may be converted into a rent-charge. 

 " Whenever a sum or rate per head sliall be in arrear, the arrears shall 

 be recoverable by distress and impounding of any cattle, stock, goods, or 

 chattels belonging to the person in respect of whose cattle or stock such 

 sum or rate per head is in arrear, wherever the same may be found." 

 The commissioners have access to the books of the comptroller of corn 

 returns, and are to be iui'iiislied by him with such information as they 

 may require for the purpose of any award of rent-charge in lieu of 

 com rents. 



Twenty yearn'' perception nf tithes does not give a title or right to them ; 



