Parochial Matters 1853
The St. Leonards vestry meetings during 1853 were held at the Railway Terminus Inn, the new house that superseded the old wayside inn known as the “New England Bank”, the said new house now more appropriately named “Bopeep Hotel”.
Parochial Officers. At the meeting on the 29th of March the persons named for overseers were Wm Paine, Richard Lamb, Richard Gausden and Charles Farncomb. The inbounds assessors were Messrs. Noon and Parks, and the outbounds assessors were C. Farncomb and W. Draper. The surveyors were Robt. Deudney and W. Draper. Mr J. Phillips was re-elected Vestry clerk and Messrs. Bird, Gower and Catt were appointed constables. It was resolved that Mr Paine be paid £12 per year for collecting borough rates, poor rates and highway rates.
Rates and Assessments. At the meeting on September 29th, a borough rate at 3½d and a poor rate at 3d. were agreed to. Lady Boothby’s new house was assessed at £100 (gross), and John Batstone’s new house at £45. Mrs Moore’s house on the West Hill was raised from £105 to £110; Wm Paine’s from £70 to £80 (gross), Wm Bennett’s, Marina Inn, from £30 to £40, and Sir Woodbine Parish’s from £225 to £240 (gross).
A New Cemetery. At the meeting on Nov 11th, with the Rev. J. A. Hatchard, as chairman, it was resolved “That it is expedient and desirable to provide a new cemetery for the parish, under the provisions of the late Act, 16 & 17 vic. c. 134; and that it is the opinion of this vestry that it would be desirable to concur with other parishes in the borough in providing a general cemetery, if a suitable site can be selected; and that with this view the overseers are requested to confer with other parish officers, that a vestry may be called to more fully consider the subject” Among the parishioners present were the Rev. G. D. St. Quintin, the Rev. J. A. Hatchard, A. Burton Esq., and Capt Hull.
The Magdalen Vestries.
The Magdalen parochial meetings were variously held at the Bricklayer’s Arms, the Albert Inn, the Horse and Groom, the Coach and Horses, the Derby Arms, the Warriors’ Gate Inn, and the Norman Hotel.
Selection of Officers. At the first meeting on the 28th of March, with C. T. How in the chair, the persons named for overseers were Samuel Sinden, Charles Paine, Newton Parks, Wm Hunter and James Ball. Mr C. N. Levett was again appointed collector of the borough rate at a remuneration of 6½d in the pound. A committee was formed to wait on Mr Everett, collector of the highway rate, and demand settlement.
The only business transacted on April 7th, was the passing of a borough rate at 3d in the pound. At the meeting, a week later, Mr S. Putland took the chair, when the overseers borough a/cs were audited and a balance of £10 15s 6d paid over to the new overseers Paine and Sinden. The Collectors a/c was also audited, and found to leave £25 7s 7d in hand. Mr Levett consented to be the collector for another year.
