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was never asked to vote against Mr. Holmes.
It was not correct that, the Rector having declared Mr. Holmes
elected, Mr. Petherbridge said, "Now lets have a show of
hands for Mr. Wild." He had no recollection of Mr. Wild
intimating that he would not stand if his election were opposed.
When the Rector said one of the votes for Mr. Wild was bad, he
did not mention any names, but said, "If it is good I will
give my casting vote to Holmes." Mr. Fletcher was the
person to whom the Rector alluded, but he was qualified to vote
as a ratepayer.
Mr. Clayton: Have you ever known the election of
Messrs. Green and Holmes questioned until you did so yourself in
this action? Yes.
When? – It was a matter of conversation in the
village that it was illegal.
You were not present at the election of Foundation
Managers? – No, but I know it was done at ten minutes to ten
at night.
No one questioned the action of the Managers until
you did so in this case? – No.
You have never until now objected to any of the
Foundation Managers acting in that capacity? – No.
Not even at the enquiry regarding the complaint
made? – No.
His Lordship: Does Mr. Meadway’s name appear on
the rate book?
Witness: No, my lord.
Charles Hillary Wild, South Ash Manor, said he was
Lord of the Manor of South Ash. In 1907 he was appointed a
Foundation Manager of the school, and as no successor was
elected at the end of the term of three years he continued to
act during 1910. On one occasion in November he was summoned to
a meeting at seven o’clock, and Messrs. Day, Holmes and
himself attended, but as the Rector did not appear with the minutes
nothing could be done, and after waiting an hour he went
away. |
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He attended the Easter vestry meeting in
1911, having been Churchwarden for some time. He was not present
at the adjourned meeting, as he was in Ireland, but he
subsequently had a correspondence with the Rector. On May 16th
he pointed out that as Mr. Meadway’s vote for Mr. Holmes was
obviously bad, he (Mr. Wild) was elected people’s warden but
later he wrote that as Mr. Holmes had been admitted by the
Archdeacon the matter could not be altered. He rather resented
the Rector’s action in asking him to accept office and then
supporting another candidate.
Mr. Clayton: Did you sign the declaration when you were
elected foundation manager? – I don’t remember doing so
(laughter).
Richard Antrum, The Green Man Inn, Hodsoll Street
said he was there on subpoena.
Mr. Lawrence: I hope nothing I ask you will
decrease the customers at the Green Man Inn (laughter).
Witness: I hope you won’t ask me any more
questions than you can help (laughter).
Mr. Lawrence: I know how invidious it is for you;
you want to be friends all round.
Witness: I am not antagonistic to our worthy rector
or the schoolmaster.
Replying to questions, Mr. Antrum said he thought
he was appointed Foundation Manager in 1907, and he had never
been summoned to any meeting at which a successor to himself had
been elected. For twenty years he had known plaintiff, and his
children received their early education under him.
In cross-examination, witness was shown the
minute book, which clearly demonstrated that he was a School
Manager in 1905. He had never signed any |