The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-04-08 00:00:00

KIDDERMINSTER.

BURIAL BOAAD BLECTION.—A vestry meeting was held
in St. Mary's Chancery, Kidderminster, on Wednesday
morning, to elect three members of the Burial Board, in
place of Messrs. J. Naylor, C. Harvey, and E. Parry,
who retire. The Board was elected twelve months age
feelingwasH ar y
Harvey
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and
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on the basis of a cluvromise, and down to Wednesday it
ben s would be el. tied without opposition • but political
leeor, nnr
being effected. The Rev. G. D. Boyle presided. Mr. C.
whom the Conservatives voted against, and the Chair-
man gave a casting vote in his favour.—Alderman Hol-
loway then proposed Mr. E. Parry, who was seconded by
Mr. Potter.—The Chairman put the name to the vote,
and pronounced there were 25 for and 30 against the
name. The numbers being challanged, the name was
tthiveacn—Mr.
name, a
Potterr eult whichsaid as
put again, and there was said to be 40 for and 53 against
xcheeredd bya the l
andon s e ar
hwedemad
Lane rose to propose the name of Mr. Cowen.—The
Vicar said, before anything else happened, he trusted he
should not trangress the duties of chairman by saying he
excessively regretted the decision come te, and he did
not think it altogether creditable to the ratepayers.—The
Rev. H. J. Fortescue expressed his hearty concurrence
in what the Vicar had stated, and he proceeded to remind
the meeting that twelve months ago, when the first
Board was elected, it was felt by gentleman of all parties
that to get an effective Board it was necessary that all
parties should be fairly represented upon it—(cheers)—
and at the Vestry meeting which was celled a resolution
in favour of a compromise was adopted. There were to
be 5 Churchmen, 3 Nonconformists, and 1 Roman
Catholic, and he thought it was unfortunate that the
majority should dicta • te to the minority who they should
send to the Board, and break through the compromise of
a year ago.—Alderman Goodwin supported the observa-
tion of Mr. Fortescue.—Mr. C. E. Jefferies said he must.
enter his protest against the Vicar so emphatically
denouncing an expression of public opinion by the meet
lug No one bowed to the Vicar with more respect than
he did, but he thought a public meeting was entitled to
f ir respect, and that the majority had a right to be
e .rd lie (Mr. Jefferies) tried to secure Mr. Parry's •
return last year, though there was strong opposition, but
it was seen hew distasteful he weal° the inhabitants, and
who sowed the seeds of disaffection amongst them like
the editor of the auttk,—(cheers). The voice of the

people should be the voice to rule.—The Vicar said if
any expression from him was in any way objectionable in
the eyes of his friends be was most happy to withdraw
it, but he never heard in all the course of his experience
that the Chairman of a public meeting was not to be
permitted to express his opinion. He should be most
happy le resign that chair, and never to occupy it again,
if the majority of that meeting insisted that this was to
be the law in Kidderminster. He never knew anything
more tyrannous than for them to get a person to come
there to witness a distinct departure, from a compromise,
and not allow him to deliver his opinion. He was the
last person to wish to influence a meeting ; but after a
vestry meeting there not long ago, he had the mortifica-
tion to hear from certain parties that lie had put an un-
due pressure upon the raterayers. He could put his
hand on his heart and say he never wished to put undue
pressure upon anyone; but he was not going to occupy
that chair without being allowed an Englishman's
privilege of expressing himself.—After a formal proposi-
tion that Mr. Cowen should be elected, Mr, Parry said he
would withdraw his own name ; but at a subsequent stage
of the meeCog he placed himself in the hands of his
friends who demanded a poll. The party opposing Mr.
P.irry said they would support the Rev. I. Boseley, who
was also proposed. Mr. 110 s, 1-y said he was only willing
t) stand if it would s,ve a contest, and he was elec ed
without °pp( sition. Mr. Cowen's name was withdrawn,
and a good deal of casuistry was expended upon the sub-
ject before the meeting; but all the talking employed
failed to bring those present to one mind, the opposition
to Mr. Parry being unquenchable, despite the tribute
paid to the way in which he had discha•ged his duties.
'RE SIGNATION OF TH E VICAR OF

KIDDItRMINSTEI.

KIDDERMINsTER, Thursthiy.

Much excitement has been caused by the resignation
of the Vicar, Mr. Boyle. This step is attributed to the
manner in which he was treated at a vestry meeting
yesterday. When he ventured to exiir,•ss regret at th e
rupture of the compromise on the Burial Board question
a faction of the Conservatives attempted to disturb the'
arrangement come to twelve months ago as to the con-
stitution of the Board, and made a dead set against Mr.
Parry, the editor of theViuttle. A poll opened this
morning, and Mr. Parry was soon declared elected. Mr.
Boseley, whom the Conservatives nominated, both
voting for him and withdrawing iin his favour. Steps
are being taken to induce Mr. Boyle to recall his resig-
nation, which is already in the hands of the Bishop. It
is believed, however, that the step taken is final and
irrevocable.

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