§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)I wish to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that Messrs. Stephen Oldman and Robert Brown were unanimously chosen overseers by the Vestry in the parish of St. Peter's, Thetford, County Norfolk; that the local magistrates have passed over the names of the selected overseers, and appointed in their place Messrs. Ditch and Holden; how many elective votes these gentlemen obtained; and whether it is the intention of the Local Government Board to sanction the election of Messrs. Ditch and Holden; and, if so, by what right and for what purpose are the elective votes of the Vestry to be superseded?
§ *MR. RITCHIEThe appointment of overseers vests in the Justices, and they 14 are empowered to appoint any householders in the parish whom they think fit, without any previous nomination by the Vestry, or without regard to any such nomination. As regards the parish to which the question of the hon. Member refers, I understand that it has been the custom for the Vestry to submit to the magistrates a list of at least four names for selection. In the present year the list contained the names of two persons only, one of whom had already filled the office for two years. In the two previous years, also, the names of two persons only were submitted to the Justices. I am informed that the magistrates considered that, as a matter of courtesy, they should have had a list to select from, and they made their own selection without regard to the nomination by the Vestry. The appointments of overseers are not subject to the sanction of the Local Government Board, and the Board have no jurisdiction in the matter.
§ DR. TANNERIs it not the fact that one of the magistrates who adjudicated on this matter was Chairman, or, at any rate, a very large shareholder, of a company that was appellant in a case against the parish in question?
§ *MR. RITCHIEI know nothing of that. The hon. Member must give notice of the question.
§ DR. TANNERIs it not the fact, as evidenced by communications which have appeared in the Norfolk newspapers, that more overseers have been nominated for the parish than are required?
§ *MR. RITCHIEI know nothing whatever about what has appeared in the Norfolk newspapers, or about any of the statements of the hon. Member; and I think it is very much to be deprecated that questions should be put in this House casting reflections upon people.
§ DR. TANNERI beg to give notice that when I come out of gaol I shall give this matter my most thorough attention.