HC Deb 05 July 1889 vol 337 c1582
MR. BROADHURST (Nottingham)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the proceedings of a recent vestry meeting at Lowestoft, summoned for the purpose of electing guardians, at which the chairman refused to allow more than eight nominations, and ruled that the voting should be by way of motion and amendment; whether he is aware that as a consequence, two of the names first submitted were not voted on by the vestry; that when a poll was demanded the chairman decided that the voting should be on the motion which contained three names, and for the amendment which contained six names (one candidate having been nominated twice), and that the chairman peremptorily closed the poll within five minutes of opening it, the clock having struck twelve; and, whether, under the circumstances, he intends to take any action with regard to this election?

THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. LONG,) Wilts, Devizes

The attention of the Local Government Board has been drawn to the circumstances connected with the recent election of Guardians for the parish of Lowestoft. The Board propose to direct a local inquiry, with a view of ascertaining the facts as to the proceedings and determining as to the course which the Board should take in the matter.