BATTERSEA OVERSEERS' ACCOUNTS.
Startling Parochial Disclosures.
1859 REYNOLDS BUCKMASTER
Startling Parochial Disclosures.
BATTERSEA OVERSEERS' ACCOUNTS.
J. C. Meymott, Esq., the Poor Law Auditor, resumed his investigation into the accounts of Mr. Reynolds on Tuesday morning last, in the Board Room of the Union Workhouse, relative to the law charges made by him in connexion with the enge proceedings, which has for some time past created very great dissatisfaction in the parish. The Auditor, after a minute investigation of some of the late Overseers' receipt books, inquired whether Mr. Reynolds was present, when his clerk stated that he was unable to attend in consequence of illness, but that a gentleman would shortly arrive who would act as his representative.
Mr. Lvth wished to know bow long Mr. Reynolds had been unwell, had passed him that morning on the road, and he then appeared in perfect good health. This statement was corroborated by other ratepayeis who had also seen him. The Clerk — He has been unwell for some days, and I can vouch for the truth of it. The Auditor stated that it appeared that the sum paid, and that was the amount of the bills. very important communication had been, made to him, by Mr. Buckmaster, which contained an objection the accounts that must once decided. It slated that the terms made Mr. Reynolds was to the following effect undertake to carry on the action, and if succeed will make the legal charges, but if unsuccessful Iwill then only bring in a bill for costs out pocket."
Mr. Biet ley, the gentleman previously referred to, said that he had been suddenly requested by Mr. Reynolds to attend that occasion, and he would commence by reading an explanatory letter from him, which might also be considered au apology for his absence. The Auditor — But what do say is the cause of his non-attendance to-day?
Mr. Bierley had not seen Mr. Reynolds, and he could therefore only read the communication, as at that time he was almost entirely ignorant of the facts of the case. He proceeded to read the letter, which stated that such was the state of his health that he had been advised to avoid any excite.nent, and consequently he was prevented from attending the audit. It then purported to detail the whole of the proceedings connexion with the law-suit. He had been appointed solicitor to the Overseers, &c. and intimated that the course now pursued towards him was not fail or just. It likewise stated that he believed there had been some tampering with the minutes, and that there was some power at the Board which was inimical to him, hut the whole art'air viewed as intended to embarrass the late Overseers.
The Auditor — l cannot entertain the question in reference to the motives of individuals. Have you any documents? What you have read can only be considered as a statement or a speech.
Mr. Bierley — l have not any with me such as you require. Ihe Auditor expressed his willingness to hear any statement from those persons wdio were present when the a.leged conditions were made.
Mr. Hart said that Mr. Reynolds guaranteed the ratepayers that ho would not charge more than costs out of pocket if was unsuccessful. This declaration wa-. made in the open Vestry.
Mr. S. Poupart jemembered perfectly well the Vestry at which the agreement was made. There was a strong objection made to the Penge lawsuit, and a poil took place.
Mr. Reynolds distinctly made the conditions, as stated, and it was only on that assurance that he had voted for thi legal proceedings for otherwise he should most certainly not have acquiesced.
Mr. G. Bass confirmed the previous testimony.
Mr. Reynolds said it would be a great advantage to the parish if he succeeded, and, not, the expense would be but trifling.
Mr. Chadwin, the vestry clerk, spoke to the same effect as regarded the conditions made at the public Vestry. At a subsequent meeting the Overseers, Mr. Reynolds said that he should withdraw his former proposal. The Auditor — Was the subject then regularly brought forward? Mr. ( hadwin — It was conversational, and the Overseers replied that that was understood, and he (Mr. R ) added that there must be no interference with him.
Mr. Green gave similar evidence to the conditions, but he voted against the proceedings. The Auditor read aloud Mr. Reynolds' letter, and said it conflrmed the evidence given. Considerable discussion here took place respecting the taxation the bills, &c., which was stopped (he Auditor referring again to the letter, wherein it stated that the conditions were superseded in consequence of his having been prevented, by rule obtained, from acting as the attorney the Pengc proceedings. But the ratepayers were not to suffer on that account. Because there was another attorney that did not affect the original agreement, and the proceedings might have been continued.
Mr. Merriman, who appeared for the present Overseers, said that the difference in the amount would be very considerable. The parish documents relating to the proceedings were not now produced, nor was it known who possessed them.
Mr. Montague read a notice which he had sent to the Churchwardens and Overseers, intimating that he should appear at the next audit and oppose any further payment on account of the Penge lawsuit, but notwithstanding they had since paid 500 to Mr. Reynolds.
Mr. D. Jones referred the circumstance of the parish officers, after receiving the above mentioned notice, expending a sum of money to ascertain how they were proceed under such circumstances.
The Auditor said he should now go into an examination of the bills, and the sum of 56 at once disallowed an old account, with observation from the Auditor that Mr. Reynolds had received a great deal more than costs out of pocket on those bills.
Some other charges were reduced. ordered the other accounts to be amended, which the Clerk, with Mr. Bierlev, immediately did. The following was the result of the Auditor's decision:
The amount bills 17 8 Reduced auditor to . . . . 1448 0 Disallowed 17 Struck off on the Ist day of audit 22 16 6 Total amount disallowed 0
The next general meeting the Battersea Ratepayers' Protection Society will be held at the Lammas Hall, on Tuesday evening next, June 14, at seven o'clock, when the Committee invite all members to attend.
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