The Cemetery. On the 1st of March the Burial Board reported that Walker, the sexton, had sent in his resignation to give up his office and his cottage on the 25th instant, as he felt himself unable to do the heavy work of the Cemetery. On the motion of Ald. Rock, the resignation was accepted, with the understanding that Walker should be employed in some of the lighter work.
Appointment of Walker’s Successor. At the meeting on June the 7th the Burial Committee reported that 13 applications for the sexton’s situation had been received, and after examining the testimonials, they were brought down to two – namely Wenham and Kenward. Six committeemen were present, and the voting being equal, the chairman gave the casting vote for Wenham, whom the committee therefore recommended. Ald. Ross moved the adoption of the report, and Coun Poole moved as an amendment that Kenward be engaged. When put to the vote, Wenham was elected by 13 to 4.
Cemetery Screens. At the July meeting, Couns. Poole called attention to the inconvenience caused at the Cemetery in wet weather through the want of another screen, and after some discussion, it was resolved that a second one be procured.
The Chaplaincy. At the August meeting a letter was read, in which the Rev. J. Parkin informed the Council that at a meeting held at the Halton Parsonage, the Hastings Incumbents had received the resignation of Mr. Nightingale, and had unanimously elected the Rev. Samuel Allen to succeed him as the Cemetery Chaplain. It was hoped that the appointment would be approved by the Council. Coun. Howell thought that such an appointment was discourteous to the Council; and Ald. Ross thought it very strange that a gentleman should be appointed to the office of whom they knew nothing. – The Town Clerk said the Council had no power to appoint a chaplain; and that such power belonged to the incumbents of certain parishes in the borough. – Coun. Winter contended that Mr. Parkin’s letter was perfectly legitimate and correct. It was just what the original appointment ought to have been. The Burial Board at that time arrogated to itself a power it never possessed, and he felt glad that the election had gone back to the original position it ought to have had. Mr. Nightingale, some nine or ten months since, had very properly, when there was a disagreement between him and the Council, sent in his resignation to the incumbents concerned. They had now acted rightly in electing a successor. The “compensation fees”, however, Mr. Winter argued would now lapse. They could not pay the new incumbent of St. Clement because he had done no duty. The Town Clerk and some of the Councillors thought otherwise. He moved a resolution that the receipt of the letter be acknowledged; that the -
