§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)asked the hon. Member for Penrith, Whether he has received an intimation that the Vicar of Swineshead declined to allow a poll to be taken by ballot on an election of the Trustees, who were to be chosen in order to carry out the scheme of the Charity Commissioners in respect to the Swineshead Charities, notwithstanding that the Chief Commissioners had written on the 29th of March last—
It will be open to the ratepayers, at any meeting for the purpose of appointing a Trustee or Trustees, to determine, if they so desire, that the election shall be by ballot; and that the meeting summoned to choose Trustees decided that the election should be by ballot;and, whether, in view of these facts, the Charity Commissioners will cause another election to be held?
§ MR. J. W. LOWTHER (Cumberland, Penrith)The Charity Commissioners have received an intimation that the Vicar of Swineshead recently declined to allow a poll to be taken by ballot at the 1364 election of Trustees to the Swineshead Charities. A Petition has been also received, praying them to withhold their approval of the appointment of the Trustees who were elected. This they have no power to do; but by Clause 50 of the scheme any question affecting the regularity or validity of any proceedings under the scheme shall be determined by the Charity Commissioners upon a proper application being made to them, and they are prepared to entertain such an application.