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consent. Mr. Petherbridge objected on the
ground that Mr. Green was a non-resident, and witness replied
that he was a ratepayer, and that Mr. Day, the Bishop’s
secretary, had given advise on the subject. On witness asking
for a seconder for Mr. Petherbridge’s nominees, Mr. Green
responded. On a vote three persons voted for Mr. Holmes. Witness
then asked whether anyone was against him, and someone answered:
"No one would vote against Mr. Holmes." Witness
thereupon remarked, "Mr. Holmes is churchwarden." Mr.
Petherbridge then asked for a show of hands on behalf of Mr.
Wild. Witness enquired if Mr. Wild was prepared to act, and Mr.
Petherbridge produced a post-card, which gave him the impression
that Mr. Wild would act if there was no opposition. Three
persons then voted for Mr. Wild. Mr. Petherbridge objected to
the vote of Mr. Meadway for Mr. Holmes, and witness expressed
the opinion that one of Mr. Wild’s votes was bad. Some
discussion ensued, and to close the proceedings witness said:
"I do not know that my casting vote is necessary, but I
declare Mr. Holmes elected." When objection was taken to
Mr. Meadway, witness remarked that he had a letter intimating
that he was really acting as proxy for his father-in-law, Mr.
Glover, and that he had another letter from an absent gentleman
who would have supported Mr. Holmes.
In cross-examination, witness was shown documents
he had written concerning the May |
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vestry meeting, in which he stated that
Mr. Holmes gad a clear majority of votes, excluding the doubtful
ones. He explained this by saying that as Mr. Petherbridge
proposed Mr. Holmes he concluded that he voted for him, and that
it was not Mr. Fletcher but Mr. Goodwin (who he thought voted
for Mr. Wild) whom he regarded as bad. Witness was pressed as to
weather he voted, and replied: "If it were necessary –
yes."
His Lordship: If, after scrutinising the votes, you
find tour casting vote was necessary, you say, you gave it? –
Yes.
Mr. Lawrence: But I am going to suggest on the
evidence that the casting vote was not given.
Sidney Charles Green, Romney Farm, Stansted,
corroborated the Rector. He caused some amusement by mentioning
that before that case cropped up he was rated for sixteen acres
of land, but now he had had ten acres knocked off.
Gilbert Edward Holmes, butcher, Ash, agreed with
the statements of the two previous witnesses.
His Lordship: I cannot understand why you did not vote for
yourself. I should have if it had been me (laughter).
Witness: It would have saved a lot of bother if I
had done so.
The Court again adjourned.
The end of the report for May 11th. |