The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-05-11 00:00:00

PENSNETT.

To. 81:71191701.11 Accociin.—At the Petty Sessions
held at Brierley Hill, on Monday last, before Messrs. F.
Beers and H. Hall, the farther hearing of those accounts
same on for hearing. Mr. Ho!bonen appeared to sap.
port Mr. Hinton. the surveyor, and Mr. Homer appeared
to oppose them.—Mr. Holberton said ha use prepared to
answer any objeetione to the pegging of the mecum*
sad his sliest wee also prepared on oath to wear they
were correet.—Mr. Homer said he appeared on behalf of
the ratepayers to oppose the passing at the secounte,
inasmuch aa a proper amplifies' of the books had not
taken place and permission for mob was refused by Mr.
Hinton, and he (Mr. Homer) hod been &bilged to take
out a summons against Mr. Hinton' to compel him to
. allow an inspection of the books. Two adjoornmeeta
had already taken plasm, in order that the books might
undergo an examination, but he regretted to state that
Mr. Histon had refaced his clients the free use of the
books in question. He mewed the Bench that no party
spirit had prompted his silents to adopt as course they
had taken, but rather was it in the interests of the par-
ish ; and if, as had been affirmed, the books had been
eorrectly kept, why di/ Mr. Hinton still withhold his
books from • proper inspection. They simply wanted to
see bow the money was spent, and he should ask the
Bench to hear the summons Brat—Mr. Holberton said
he was sorry tg may there was a party spirit in the case.
The books had bean istspectad by several persons, some

11111=—__
of whom had Leen engaged In doling 8o four hours at a
time, and others three and • half Imam and Mr. Hinton
.hb had
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isfil;_orb there
the
Homer Raid that Mr. Hinton had thrown every possible
obstruction in the way of the cc: omits he leg examined.
When they went to ler‘k at them Mr. Hinton put his
hands serces the hooks, so as to preymit the ratepayers
looking at the 6gnres.-11r. Holberton he had a
complete answer to the cue. Mr. Hintou's accounts Lad
been duly audited and passed at a vestry meeting, and he
was supported by • majority of the ratepayer*, but there
was some little jealousy as Mr. Homer wanted the site,
ation.—Mr. Homer said he: should ask the Magistrates to
hear the summons preferred against Mr. Hinton by WI,
ham Baker for refusing to let him instinct the vouchers,
books, &c.—The Bench decided to hear the summons
before they poised the aceounts.—Mr. Homer said that
on the 4th April Mr. Hughes, Mr. Baker. and Mr. Brown
weet to Mr. Hinton's for the purpose of inspecting the
parish books, but he pcedlively refused to let them see
them, and on the 11th the matter came before the Bench.
On the 16th they were again refused. On the litk
Baker. Hughes, and White went end demanded an in-
spection of tie rate books. Mr. Hinton produced the
rate books, but refused to let then have these, 4sting
that lie was not going to have he books tampered with;
but lie read out some of the items, which wars taken
down by Mr. White. If he proved that the various books
had not passed he should ask the Bench to order them
'to he inspected. Willisui Baker said he was • ratepayer
for firomley district, and had been for some years. On
April 16th he went with Mr. White, and defendant made
an appointment for them to inspect his books. On the
17th he went to inspect the books. Nine o'clock was the
time appointed. W. Hughes, Benjamin Homer, and Mn,
White saw Mr. Hinton, and told him what they had come
for. Defendant produced one book, the rate-book. He
(witness) could not say what was the date. Defendant
was standing at the back ~f the counter. Wits.. uked
him to let him look at the books. Defendant said he
would call over the items witness wished to know, but
would not have his books tampered with. Defendant
said if he bed known what wo wanted he would hare had
• copy made for them. While defendant was calling out
the items witness put them down in the books produced.
Defendant reading from the rate-book, Mr. White wrote
the items down. While Mr, Homer was trying to look at
the books, defendant put hi r hard upon them to prevent
him seeing. The books were not i.capected. and defend-
ant was asked to produce his wages books. He remarked
that he could not attend to it yet. After staying for two
hours or more, defundaut said he Was tired and could
not stay longer, so he bad had no dinner, and had to go
o a funeral. Was in his house at half-past nine, and
stayed until one o'clock. Defendant thee appointed four
o clock to look at the books. Three o'clock was shim.
ately arranged for. Defendant was not present, and Mrs.
Hinton refused to let them see the books, and they left.
Cross-examined : One book was inspected on the 13th
April. Was there two hours. Will not sem that it was
not three hours and a held A copy of the rate-book WRB
then taken, iocithung rue wages, tradesmen's bills, aid
other items. What we asked for we had. Mr. Homer
stood by the counter, and Mr. White took down the items.
Went again to defendant's home on the 17th. Mr. Biker
was looking over the books with the defendant.—At this
point of the case the Magistrates said they should like to
ask Mr. Homer • few questions. Mr. Homer was calied
in and said: On the 17th April I went to the delendiuit's
house at half-past ten. Defendant produced a book by
the counter, and said." Who; do you wanly' I told him,
and defendant said he would call out the items. The
hook was before defendant, and I had to look upon one
side to see the items. I asked him to turn the book
over, and it was turned.—Aiter hearing the evidence the
Magistrates remarked that they were of opinion that Mr.
Hinton should have given Mr. Homer and his friends
more facilities for eingtihing tho hooks, but considered
that it had not been shown tbat an inspection had been
denied them. That charge would therefore be dismissed.
—Mr. Homer, referring I. the original charge, said he
did not wish to press for • conviction. His clients only
wanted the books to inspect them, and he would suggest,
with • view of settling tee matter. that the surveyor's
books should be pieced in the hands of Superintendent
Mills, and that, on • given day, they should be open for
the inspection of any ratepayer. Mr. Hinton was spend.
log parish money, and the ratepayers wanted to know how
it wait being spent. He had been bid that there were
grass and flagrant errors in the books, and they wonted
the matter thoroughly sifted. He, therefore, suggested
that the ease should he again adjourned, in order that the
books might be freely examined —Mr. fiolberton opposed
the adjournment, and stated that he was in • position to
gives fall and complete answer Whig friend's amnions.
—Mr. Evers I think it would be as well to adopt Mr.
Homer's suggestion.—Mr. Holberton : Mr. Hinton is an
honest and straightforward man.—Mr. Homer: Then let
us look at his booke—Mr. Holberton said he had no wish
to keep anything back.—The Magistrates said they ap-
proved of Mr. Homer'. saggestion.—Mr. Holberton : I
challenge my friend to prove that there is anything wrong
in the books—Kr, Homer . I repeat that there are errors
of • most flagrant description, aud my clients have every
reason to believe that sums of money have been received
by Mr. Hinton, and not beer. accounted for—Mr. Hot-
berton I dare Mr. Homer to mune any one sum.—Mr.
Homer: We don't make any charge against him, but we
want to see the hi oks.—Ultimately, it was agreed that
the Surveyor's books should be placed in the hands of
Superintendent Mills, and that they should be open for
the inspection of ratepayers at the Public °thee on
Wednesday last, from ten till one o'clock.—The passing
of the accoums was adjourned for a week.