CASTLETHORPE

PARISH COUNCIL ELECTION.

The triennial meeting for the election of Parish Councillors was held in the Council School on Monday last. As the chairman of the Council, Mr. J. E. Whiting, was seeking re-election, Mr. Masterman presided. The meeting was well attended and it was noticeable that more than usual interest was taken in the proceedings. At the outset it was obvious that some were there with doing all they could to turn the old Council out, but the good sense of majority of the electors defeated the object. The Council is composed of five members. For the seats nine persons were nominated, and the subsequent voting by show of hands resulted in four of the old members being re-elected with Mr. T. Osborne, J.P. in place of Mr. W. T. Clarke, junr. Who did not seek re-election. The votes recorded for the five elected were 53, 46, 46, 45, 45. The four defeated candidates received 39 votes only between them. Mr. E. Richardson, who only secured 7 votes, thereupon initiated a demand for a poll and he had great difficulty in getting four others to support him. It follows therefore that unless the four responsible for the demand do not withdraw before Tuesday next there will be a poll.

The Parish Meeting

Arrangements had been made to hold the Annual Parish Meeting on the same date and subsequent to the first meeting. Mr. Masterman presided. The official statement of the Tyrell Charity Accounts for the 12 months was read by Mr. W. T. Clarke, which showed that £13/14/0 had been given to the poor of Castlethorpe, leaving a balance in hand of £12/18/10. Questions were asked in reference to finding a suitable building for storing the hand bier which had been purchased through the efforts of the Choral Society and presented to the village by them. The Chairman of the Council explained that the Ministry of Health had been communicated with in reference to the legality of expenditure for this purpose. The Minister, however, disclaimed any jurisdiction to determine the question. It was therefore suggested that the parishioners should dael with the matter voluntarily. It is hoped that something will be done in the near future for this commendable object. Mr. Markham and Mr. Whiting gave lucid statements of their interviews with a representative of the Northampton Electric Lighting Company who are proposing to bring the over-head electric wires across their property, etc. A resolution was passed requesting the Council to arrange, if possible for a representative from the Company to attend in the future at a public meeting and explain the scheme. Thanks were accorded to the Chairman at the close.