[BNA Search: Buckmaster+Battersea+Vestry (1jan1855-31dec1866).]
Published: Saturday 04 June 1859 Newspaper: West Middlesex Advertiser and Family Journal Battersea Election of Vestrymen ... Chadwin, vestry clerk, read the notice calling the meeting, after which he said it would be necessary to elect two ratepayers, agreeably to the Metropolis Local Management Act, as inspectors of votes, case pott should be demanded. Mr. Buckmaster then proposed ...STORMY VESTRY MEETING AT BATTERSEA.
A public meeting of the ratepayers of Battersea, was held in the Infant School, Green-lane-road, Battersea, on Thursday evening, for the purpose of electing nine members for the Vestry, and five auditors of accounts. Mr. Picking, churchwarden, occupied the chair. About 100 ratepayers were present. Mr. Reynolds proposed Mr. Neate and Mr. Jeuer inspectors of votes. The Chairman nominated Mr. Reynolds and Mr. S. Smith, jun., inspectors of votes. After considerable dispiate the names passed. A contention succeeded as to the reading of the minutes of the last Vestry meeting. After the Clerk had read them, Mr. Jeuer opposed the minutes being signed as they were incorrect. The minutes related to the accounts of the church-rate contest. z.ad stated that the accounts had D-?»ssed the meeting. Mr. Jeuer, however, contended that these accounts did not pass the meeting, but it was adjourned. A call was then made for the rough minutes; the Clerk, however, said he had destroyed them, after entering in the minute-book. Several persons then remarked on the importance of preserving the rough minutes. Mr. Reynolds defended the Clerk from the insinuation of "cooking the minutes." He had heard of such practices as cooking accounts, but not of cooking minutes. Possibly the Clerk might be dilatory; but neither he nor his father before him were guilty of the conduct now alleged against him. Mr. Jeuer denied accusing the Clerk of cooking the minutes: but really what did Mr. Reynolds know of the parish, he was only a mere mushroom in its affairs. He wished the business of the evening to go on, but protested against confirming the minutes. He moved the minutes be not signed. Mr. Reynold's said he would move they be signed, or demand a poll upon it. After some discussion as to the difference between confirming and signing the minutes it was decided to adjourn the question. Mr. Chadwin, the clerk, having read the requisition calling upon the parish to elect nine members for the Vestry — eight to supply ordinary vacancies, and one by death, Mr. Starling said that 10 members were required — 8 ordinary vacancies, 1 by death, and 1 in the place of Mr. Reynolds. To suit his purpose, the latter had confused the 54th and 64th clauses of the Act. (Hisses.) Mr. S. then quoted the respective clauses which went to show that no person holding any office or emolument under the Vestry or District Board was eligeble for Vestryman. Battersea was included under schedule; and as Mr. Reynolds was solicitor to the Vestry, he was thereby disqualified and not legal Vestryman, though he had sat there for two years. He (Mr. S.) was aware they could not then elect a tenth member, as they had not given proper notice but he could inform Mr. Reynolds he should not continue a member of the Vestry, remaining which he was liable to a penalty of £50. Mr. Reynolds — Perhaps Mr.Starling thinks he would make a fitter member. (No, no interruption.) Let Mr. Starling put the fine in force. (Great confusion.)
Mr. Buckmaster said it was some years since he had taken any active part in parish affairs, and if he had consulted his own convenience be would not have been there. But the time had come when it was a virtue to resist and duty to obey. Parochial affairs had not been conducted aright, and he disapproved of the way in which the money had been spent; to expose which he knew he would subject himself to the calumny of those whose good word could not help him and had word could not injure him. But he was not going to be disturbed by a little inflated feeling. It was too evident that one right after another had gradually disappeared — little more than the right to elect Vestrymen remaining. may be no matter to some whether the rates be 2s. or 6d. in the pound; but to the majority it is of importance, especially to those who can scarcely obtain sufficient to procure a Sunday's dinner. ww their duty to stand between the rich and the poor, protecting the interests of the latter. The question wa« whether oligarchy of Mr. Reynold's providing should sit in the Vestry, or a fair representation of the spirit of the parish. (Vociferous cheering.) For few years past the parish had been governed by one man — the churchwardens, clerk, vestry, fee, being under his influence; the Board of Guardians alone escaping his domination, and even that Board he had tried to subvert. He (Mr. Buckmaster) had two or three years ago lifted up his voice in opposition to the perversion of parochial management. He would next allude to the law costs of the parish. If that question was to be tried, why not have done it in a business way. He had seldom known such nefarious transaction. Mr. R. may be profound the law, but they might find another lawyer equally learned. Originally the question was to have been settled within a month, then in three months, then some other time was named, when, nobody knows. It was high time the case was put into other hands. For the last two or three years a tide of corruption had set in such as no other parish would tolerate. In a calm and temperate tone he was determined to use what influence he might have until the neck of the corruption was broken, and the foot of Mr. Reynolds was removed from the throat of the parish. (Hear.) He had eaten none of Mr. Reynold's suppers. (Tremendous cheers.) Some years ago a sum of money was given for a right of common to the inhabitants, and Mr. Reynolds, through the churchwardens and overseers, attempted to divert the expenditure of the money from the object which had been decided on by the ratepayers. (Hisses.) Nothing was too great or too small for that individual to engage in — like the trunk of the elephant he could pick up pin or employ himself in transactions of magnitude to suit his purposes. (Vociferous applause.) He hoped to obtain the support as well as sympathy of the meeting in proposing the following names for Vestrymen: — Messrs. Poupart, Hewer, Hart, Finch, Evill, Starling, Brayne, Broad, and Passmore. Mr. Graham seconded. Mr. Reynolds said he had been elected last year for three years as Vestryman. He expected Mr. Buckmaster would have given figures support of his accusations. He protested against the incorrectness of the placards relating to Penge. The sum of 18s. 6d. was for magisterial proceedings, mostly for police expenses. £197 was for removals, but against that they had received £300 last half-year. Some of the paupers had been chsrgeable for five or six years. As to the £900 (A voice, " Not particular to hundred or two.") for law costs, there were included fees to various persons. The auditor could produce vouchers for £200 more, which had been paid and was owing to him. (Oh, oh.) He now proposed for Vestrymen: Messrs. Lambert. Walton, Whiting, Carnes, Brocking, Dives, Griffin, Smith, sen., Jones. Mr. Neate seconded. Mr. Parsons had first drawn attention to the Penge question, when he was given to understand that it would prove good " hatch" for the parish; but be would like to know where the hatch was. Mr. reach proposed a third list, selected from all classes. Mr. Buckmaster should remember if a second lawyer was employed, he would have to go through the whole case and thus entail further legal expenses. He had been called a slippery fish, it not being known what he was — and be would take care they did not know, being determined to belong to no party: The ratepayers should have their eye upon the District Board. He proposed Messrs. Evill, Finch, Hewer, Baker, Whiting, Fowns, Poupart, Noble and Carr. Mr. Lee seconded. Mr. Starling showed how the names of the above list were either already proposed or ineligible. He then reviewed the Penge affair observing that the case was only begun, and no one could tell when and where it would terminate. The meeting then divided, and the names being recorded there were for Mr.Buckmaster's list, 73; for Mr. Reynolds's list, 28. The result was received with deafening applause. Mr. Reynolds, in the name of five ratepayers, demanded a poll, which was announced to take place on the next day. The following persons were proposed and consented to become auditors: — Messrs. F. Parsons, Clark, Simmons, Darby, and Green. This terminated one of the most exciting meetings we have attended. On Friday, yesterday, the polling commenced at eight o'clock in the morning, and was to be continued until eight in the evening, consequently we are unable to give the result of the election.
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1864
Testimonial to Mr. Buckmaster.
The great parochial battles of Battersea are now ended. There will, however, lively discussions in the Vestry whether a lamp-post should be 8 feet or 8 feet inches, or whether it be more economical to use Purbeck or granite for kerbing footpaths, or whether it be possible to do things which are impossible. These vital questions will occasionally occupy the serious attention of men rated at £25 a year.
Happily no one now suspects the parish officers of any misappropriation of parish money, and the great man, before whom all small men were terrified, and parish officers worshipped, now in prison; but Mr. Buckmaster, against whom lawyers on both sides of the river have times sworn vengeance, has achieved a great victory.
For years he exposed the chicanery, the deceit, and falsehood of a party now defunct. Extracts from lawyers' bills were printed and circulated for the edification of the ratepayers; affidavits and opinions of counsel for a time defeated his efforts; but a man waits the truth and justice of his case will the end receive its proper and just reward; and although we cannot endorse all Mr. Buckmaster's opinions, we believe he deserves well of the parish, and this recognition of his services must be as agreeable as, we understand, was unexpected.
the anniversary of his wedding-day he received a polished oak box, containing the following inscription: — St. Mary, Battersea. — This box, containing 64 pieces of plate, was presented to Mr. Buckmaster, by a few gentlemen, in acknowledgment of services rendered in the parish during period of great trouble and difficulty. — August, 1864."
[I wonder if this is still "in the family"?]