The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1883-09-18 00:00:00

ANOTHER LIVELY VESTRY MEET/NO.

THE VICAR AND Till CHAIRMANSHIP.

Last Thursday evening a vestry meeting was held
in the Town Hall. in pursuant s of the ataarteinua
received from the 0 Jur: of Queen's Bench, to elect two
churchwarden.. It will probably be remembered at
the March vestry, when the prooeolings were
charm:tells ed by • warm and lively spirit, Mr. Charles
Ellis and Mr. B. J. Kerradra were duly elected by a
show of hands. The partizans of General TMing, who
was defeated, were not satisfied, awl demanded a poll.
This was held before Mr. C. H. W. Parkinson, and
cm tato persons, it is alleged, were so unruly, and made
use of such choice language, that the chairman, in •
fit of righteous indignation, closed the poll, and declared
Messrs. Ellis and Kerridgs elected. Interests I per-
m int moved in the Qlosen'e Bench f,r another p and
thil resulted in • mandamus beim: issued to hod I another
election. The Vicar (Rev. F. J. Huyshe) thereupon
called a meeting for that purp me, and the
Town Hall was crow led for the occ talon,
There were present—The Vicar, Rev. It. W. Fa rbank.
Dr. Batterbury, General Thrinz, General Maclean,
Messrs. C. Ellis, C. Manckton, E. Lo wen. G. James,
R. Elcock, RH, A. Ford, W. Priddle, G. Wilson, W. J.
Fletcher, C. Jacobs, J. Imckham, R. Hooper. G.
Pothecaey, J. Joyce, J. Low, T. B. D. Rawlins, L.
Fancy, T. Low, W. Druitt. J. Bargees, H. G. Blount,
C. H. W. Parkinson. J. W. Smith, T. B. Ruseall, C.
Elie, E. Randall, T. Custard, G. H. Low, G. F.
Ed.all, F. J. Meader, W. B. Burden, H. D'Aboour,
K. J. Handel% W. Cast, F. Oar IL W. Dibben, S.
Voeoer-Th mac W. lionn, D. \ldler, NV. 11. Pruitt,
A. Penny, W. Rorie, C. Welt. F. Wheeler, G. Lock,
H. Baverstsock, 11. Head. J. E. Jenvey, A Moody,
J. Farwell, W. Street, C. H. Gosh, A. H. Smith, (1.
Allen, gen., D. Haylett, I). E. Wallingford, G. Gamer,
J. 0. Elms, J. Mason. J. Miles, S. ILlul.tv. R. G.
Kerr. C. H. Were, J. Chapman, C. Hac'tell, G
Baker. H Bail, y, E. Lees. J. Uay, C bow .rd, W.
Cotton), A. Pork's, W. flab 'itch, W. Clarke, F. D.
Pike, %V. Br ,wo, G. Chislett, A. R. Bonney. J.
Clarke, G. Keeping, W. War. ham, W. J. Kolght,
J. B. Tod I, W. Hopkins, J. Reeks, T. liaiow, W.
Smith, IL F. Harvey, A. L 'woman, G.
11. Sansorn, Tom Muncktois. B. H. Mill r. T.m
chi.aell. W. hlnockton, G. Keeping, J. id o ro, E.
isir+ll, W. Bottomley, C. ii. Frampton, J. N.
Hayden, C. Stickland, S. Sc ire, W. W. II•ale, A.
Dreg', A. C. Taylor, W. Oldbury. It. B. yant, G.
Muir, A. Stout, NV. Habgood, F. Lay, kr.
The Vita was unanimously voted to the ch air, on
the motion of Mr. C. H. W. EARILINIION, sec ,s 1 lad by
Mr. C. Ewe.
In commencing the business, the CHAIRMAN pro-
needed to explain his legal position a. Chairman.
lie 111 not ask them to agree with him—oily to
lis'ea to him fairly and without preja lit awl
the. see if they could not agree with him afterward.
in thinking it wee his legal position and duly to
...ropy that chair. Nrt his claim—he 111. not care two
straw, about it; it was simply the duty and the
position which the law of England tail upon him,
awl Is was bound to take it. It was not his wish,
V Nees not his opinion, but the law of the land—
(Mr. Wawa : No, no)—which they were all bound
to obey. Mr. Wilsln said no, no, and he had •
perfect right to my no. (Hear, hear.) He then I
proceeded to quote the Act of Parliammt wh'ch
especially relate I to this matter in support of his
position, vi:., 58, Goorge 111., c. 69, oeC. 2. This
1 section at .ted " For the more orderly cooduct of
vestries, be it farther enacted, that io caw the
rector, or vicar, or perpetual curate shall not be
present. the persons so assembled in irtrou'in,i
such notice, shalt forthwith nominate t th office
one of the inhabitants " This was n.t hi. will—
this w.s the law of the land. (Hear, hear, and no,
no.) Then there was another law book babel studied,
and which be might say hal given him many a held-
aohie—Prielenu.r's Churchwarden's Gunk, a bank which
be commended to the consideration of any who aspired
to the honourable office of churchwarden. Quoting from
thia work the Vicar showed Me right to prestde at vestry
meetings—" This right is by law vested in the
minister of the parish, for the minister is not • mere
individwal of vestry, no the contrary he is always de.
?tribe.] am the first and integral part of the parish, the
form if citing st; pariah,' being the ' oftilster, church.
wardens, and parishioners'; and that he and any other
individuals should be put in competition for the office
of chairman would be placing him in a degrading
situation." Those were not his Mat the words of the
law book. He knew they would have that fuse about
the chairmanship, and he thought it was his duty,
Independently of his wishes, simply to know the law.
They most all give in to the law ; they might have
their wishes, but the law was over them all.
So bi wont to the Bishop of the MOO% sod hi Ohs