The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-02-07 00:00:00

AT BLANDFORD.

ELECTION OF POOR-RATE COLLECTOR

On Thursday, the 2nd inst., a public meeting of
rate-payers was held at the To wohall, fur the purpose
of electing a collector of poor-rates in the room of
Mr. D. Burton, resigned. There were four candi-
dates for the appointment. A goodly number of
rate-payers were present. Mr. M. Fisher, having
taken the chair, proceeded to read the notice from
the Board of Guardians, requesting the meeting to
he called. Though the present meeting could only
elect that person considered qualified for the duties,
yet the Board of Guardians, with whom rested the
power of appointing to the vacant situation, had
always deferred to the expressed wish of the rate-
payers.
Mr. T. M. PARK then proposed Mr. Philip
Pitney, a gentleman who had long been connected
with an iron.foundry business in the town, and was
well-known to the inhabitants.
Mr' STEPHEN Dews seconded the nomination.

The CHAIRMAN said that before they any
further it would be well for them to consider more
fully whether the candidate they nominated was
fully competent to 61l the office. It was only right
for them to know that the person who was chosen as
collector would be by the Guardians appointed
as assistant•overseer. The duties of collector were
simple enough, but it was far otherwise with that of
assistant-overseer, who was required to assist the
churchwardens and overseers in making out the
estimates for a rate, and to keep a regular account
of all monies received and expended.

Mr. W. Gaovas inquired whether the appoint-
ment of assistant-overseer rested with the rate-
payers or with the Board of Guardians, to which the
Chairman replied that the person who was recom-
mended by the rate-payers as collector would be
also chosen by the guardians as assistant-overseer.
After a short conversation on this question,
Mr. Wvarr proposed, and Mr. ELG&R seconded,
Mr. F. Nicholls as a proper person for the appoint-
ment ; Mr. Wyatt stating, ass further recommenda-
tion of Mr. Nicholls, that he would have the able
assistance of his brother-in-law, Mr. Burton, the late
collector.

Mr. HODOILS (Mayor) then propelled, and Mr. F.
T. JOIRNS seconded, Mr. R. Harfoot for the appoint.
menk Mr. Hodges remarking that Mr. Harfoot
had been in his service many years, and he had
always found him strictly honest and persevering.
Mr. LYNDSAY then proposed Mr. Langford,
seconded by Mr. R. HOOD.
The CHAIRMAN said there were four candidates for
the situation, and it might perhaps be as well for
each of them to state what they considered the
duties were they would be called upon to fulfil.
The four candidates having replied,
The CHAIRMAN said it was a very important on.
sideration whether the meeting considered that the
two offices, that of collector and assistant-overseer,
were combined.

After a short discussion, in which Mr. Meaden,
Mr. Bartlett, and others took part,
The CHAIRMAN said it was very important that
the rate.payers should elect a person for the duties
who would be able to give an answer to any question
relating to his office without being obliged to ask a
solicitor. For if a person was appointed who did
not understand his duties, they would have to pay
for the advice of a solicitor. (Hear, hear.)
The CHAIRMAN then read the duties of collector.
After which

Mr. T. M. PARK said he did not know whether
he was out of order or not, but he might state that
he believed at the meeting of the Local Board, to be
held on the 25th March next, the question would be
considered whether it would not be desirable to ap-
point one person to do the whole duties of collector,
instead of having three or four persons collecting
separate rates. He thought this was an important
subject in connection with their present meeting.
Mr. R. EYRRS said he fully concurred in Mr.
Park's remark.. What they wanted to do was to
save expense to the town, and if the various offices
could be filled by a well-qualified person it might
save the town £3O or £4O.
The CHAIRMAN and Mr. DOHINY were both of
opinion that the Board of Guardians had no choice
but to proceed to the appointment of a collector.
Mr. C. Hitsvfl.Lx said that it had been put before
the meeting as a suggestion that the person who might
be appointed by the Local Board as collector could also
fulfil the duties of collector of poor-rates. Their
duty was to conserve as much as possible the interests
of the inhabitants, and he thought it would not be a
very great hardship if the overseers fulfilled the
duties until the time when the Local Board elected
a person to fill the office of collector for them.
After some discussion it was considered that thie
suggestion could not be carried out, and the several
candidates having been asked if they were willing to
fulfil the duties of collector at £2.5 per year, the
meeting proceeded to the vote, the last proposed
being taken first. On the vote being taken for Mr.
Nicholls, so large a number held up their hands that
by the Chairman's request they were asked to stand
by themselves, and it was then plainly shown that
that person was elected by an overwhelming
/Majority.