The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-01-04 00:00:00

WEYMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL

A meeting was held on Tuesday last, when there
were present—The Mayor, Mr. Alderman Henning,
Councillors Messrs. Pothaary, Cotterell, Haggett,
Bartlett., Cummins, Mi!ledge, Thomas, Pitman, John
Titaril, Anderson, Balling, Hare, and Howard.
The business before the meeting was to consider
what steps should be taken with reference to the
treasurer having refused payment of bills signed by
the Council at their previous meeting.
The MAYOR said it would be remembered that at
the last meeting bills were passed—to the amount in
the aggregate id' about £3.50 on the respective funds.
On his return from Dorchester on Friday he was
surprised by a visit from Mr. A. Williams, who had
received an order on the Board of Health for .erm,
and stated that on application to the Treanner, Mr.
Jacobs, he had flatly refused payment, saying he
would have no money before next May or June.
Mr. Williams had threatened him (the Mayor) to
post the bill on the walls; therefore he considered
it best to advance him £23. (Hear, hear.) In con-
sequence he afterwards sent for the Town Clerk, for
he considered it • most unprecedeuted Using that the
Treasurer should have acted in this manner, without
having given any intimation of his intention. If he
: had proposed acting thus he might at least have
given the Council notice of his purpose. It did
seem most unwarrantable conduct on the part of the
Treasurer, knowing he would draw a sum of money
on a certain day, to allow the bills to be all passed
and then to refuse payment without apprising any
member of the Council or the Town Clerk. Think•
lug at was a state of things which ought not to con-
tinue he considered it would be most advisable to
assemble the Council, and call on the Treasurer to
explain his motives.
Mr. JACOBS considered the charge made upon him
by the Council to be a very sweeping one, but he
would prove it to be without foundation. The
Council had requested him when bills of large
amount were presented, and the funds were not suffi-
cient to pay them, to return the bill with the intl.
'nation that there were no effects It was only at
certain states of the Board of Health Fund, when
the rate was not paid in that this would occur, and
then he was accustomed to desire parties to hold
over theit bills for a time. The tradesmen of the
town quietly and cheerfully acceded to this at all
times, and no one but Mr. Williams had made • die-
turbauce about it. On Friday last the business at
his office was immense, in consequence of its being
the Savings* Bank day. Mr. Williams entered
during this business when the counter was occupied
by depositors, and he told him he hail no money in
hand. Mr. Williams asked when there would la any.
He (Mr. Jacobs) not wishing to trouble him to call
again, laughed and said, "not before May or June,"
and then 130 left. But to prove that he had not
refused to honour the Council's demands, he brought
with him a quantity of bills which had been paid,
although the account had been overdrawn to the
amount of £4OO. Under these circumstances he had
not merited the censure which had been cast upon
him by the Council.
Mr. TIZARD said the principal question was,
whether the Treasurer had refused to pay the bills?
Mr. MILLEDIik thought sufficient proof had been
given to the contrary.
Mr. Jocose said the hest proof was, that he paid
a number of bills when the Corporation amount was
overdrawn to such an extent.
Mr. Itreorrr could make every excuse for the
Treasurer under the circumstances, hut he considered
it very wrong to send it forth to the public that he
was without funds.
Mr. WILLIAMS stated that he went to Mr. Jacobs
about half-past eleven on Friday, and tendered him
his account. Mr. Jacobs said he had no money in
hand to pay the accounts. He (Mr. W.) then went
to the Town Clerk, who advised him to apply to Mr.
Flower to ascertain if he had any money to pay into
the Treasurer. Mr. Flower said he would pa:, in
4:50 that day. He then returned to Mr. Jacob and
told hick of the circumstance, asking him to pay hima
portion. Mr. Jambs refused, saying there were
three or four hundred pounds in straw, and Mr.
Flower's £3O had been put towards that. He (Mr.
Williams) asked for a part of his bill. Mr. Jacobs
said he should not have a kelfpenny. He requested
him to advance it on his account at a small
interest, but he refused to let him have a ' half-
penny.'
The MAYOR: Was Mr. Jacobs jocular.
Mr. WILLIAMS : Not at all.
Mr. .1 ALYMM : 1 was afterwards.
Mr. WILLIAMS : lean see whether a man is in fun
or not, especially in money matters;
criterion to go by. it is the fairest
Mr. JACOBS : Did 1 not call on you after the bills
were paid, and offer to pay you!
Mr. WILLIAMS: Yes; and I told you that the
Mayor had the Bill.
Mr. AtrommoN : When Mr. Williams applied to
you how did the amount stand ?
Mr. JACOMS : Not more than £lOO overdrawn.
Mr. Attomisorr : What wee the state at the time
of the other accounts?
Mr. JACOBS : About £7OO or £tloo in arrear.
Mr. A MDMISON : On all the amounts of which you
are Treasurer do you charge no interest?
Mr. J•eows : None.
After some further conversation it was resolved
that Mr. Jacobi' explanation be received and con-
sidered satisfactory ; and the meeting separated.
--
Weywousn.—An accident likely to have been of
a very serious nature, occurred on Friday. As
White's van, from Portland, was coming down Boot'
lane the chain to which the drag is attached became
entangled in one of the springs, causing the wheels
to lock, and the vehicle to upset with great violence,
breaking the covering to pieces. Several persons
were inside, but fortunately all escaped with slight
bruises
MARIE IT TOLLS •ND Hannon Dues—le pur-
suance of a previous announceenent the above tolls
were submitted to auction at the Tr:masa on Tues-
day afternoon 1A34 by Mr. Poilsecary. The markets
were not let in oanarquenos of the highest bidding
not having reached the reserved rent fixed by the
Town Council The largest offer was £450, mad.
by Mr. Goodden, the former renter. The Harbour
and Wharfage Doss were knocked down to Mr.
fritCessna tor the amount of £1,430 The
Home Cellars, also advertised to be /As re*
• celived no balder.

Sr. NICHOLAS WIREET CHAPEL—A bazaar in
aid of the funds for erecting an organ in this chapel
was held at the Baths in St. Thomas-street on
M•eulay and Tuesday last. A variety of beautiful
and curious article* were exhibited, which reflected
lunch credit oil the taste and ingenuity of the fair
contributors. We understand the result of the
bazaar has answered the expectations entertained of
its success.

CIIKISTMAPI BOUNTV.-Our worthy and respected
townsman, Sir John Hesketh betlibrike, hart., on
Fn.Liy last mused to be distributed to the poor of
Weymouth and Melcombe Regis • quantity of bread
to the value of ten pounds. Sir John has been AC.
custoined annually to confer a similar donation on
the poor at this festive season, in addition to the
constantly recurring acts of kindness which marks
his residence amongst us. We trust his liberal
example will be extensively followed.

ST. Jolix's CU URCII. —The usual Christmas deco-
rations el this church were executed in an exceed.
ingly tasteful manlier, by Mr. Raker, of Radlipole.
Thu arches, capitals of the pillars, windows, &e.,
were profusely adorned with evergreens and shrubs,
symmetrically arranged so as to preserve the archi-
tectural lines of the building ; and the contrast
afforded by the dark green foliage and the bright
red holly berries had a remarkable pretty effect. On
the pulpit were three ornaments, composed of ever.
greaus and flowers, displayed in the form of creel;
these were greatly admired. The beautiful organ
has recently been much improved by the additi tttt
a new stop, which materially enhances its power and
mellowness of tone.