A heated Meeting on a cold night.  

At the climax of the "discussion", the Chairman had to take cover behind his chair to avoid being hit by the Vicar.... 

Ah, the good old days!

Elections
Chairman: The first business was the election of the Chairman for the ensuing year. Proposed by Mr W Morphet, seconded by Mr A Thornborrow, that the 
retiring Chairman (Mr Jno Birket) be re-elected. (Carried)

Vice-Chairman: It was proposed by Mr W Shaw, seconded by Mr R Thornborrow, that Mr W Morphett stand on. (Carried)
Clerk: Proposed by Mr R Thornborrow, seconded by Mr W Shaw, that Mr C Metcalfe stand on. (Carried)

Minutes
The minutes of the last meeting were read by the clerk, and on the proposal of Mr W Shaw, seconded by Mr Wm Morphet, these were adopted and signed by the Chairman.

Charity Accounts
The Charity Accounts were read, and on the proposal of Mr C Thwaites, seconded by Mr W Morphet, these were adopted. [See below]

Wallers Charity
Mr Morphett proposed and Mr R Cowperthwaite seconded, that the three retiring member, viz Mr G Thexton, Mr J Birkbeck and Mr Shaw stand on (Carried)

Rating & Valuation
The proposal of Mr Shaw, seconded by Mr Thornborrow, that the two retiring members viz Mr Wm Dixon and Mr J Thornborrow stand on, was carried.

Parochial Committee
On the proposal of Mr C A Thwaites, seconded by Mr J Thornborrow: that Mr W Shaw and Mr Wm Morphet be added to the parochial committee (carried)

Charity Trustee
In the discussion that arose (re the election of a trustee to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of the Rev C Howarth who had left the parish and whose term had another year to run), it transpired that the other trustees had elected the present vicar, the Rev J Steele-Smith in his place. The Clerk pointed out that this was not in accordance with the scheme laid down on April 8th 1913 for the Mallerstang Consolidated Charities.

This statement was much to the annoyance of the Vicar, who still claimed that he was a trustee. The Clerk pressed for information from the other Trustees but their lips were sealed to every question.

From the information obtained from the Vicar, it appeared that the Rev C Howarth had resigned some time previous to the Parish Meeting of 1946 and that the Trustees had not acquainted the proper appointing body (viz the Chairman of the Parish Meeting, in accord with Article 11 of the Scheme) with this fact; but they had retained the information of the resignation until the present Vicar took up residence. They then took it upon themselves to elect him as a representative Trustee. 

The Clerk still persisted that it should be, and is, the work of the Parish Meeting, and he asked that the paragraph of the Scheme for 
electing representative Trustees should be read. This the Vicar did, and it proved that the Trustees were wrong, and this the Vicar agreed.

The meeting then proceeded to elect a Trustee for one year. The Vicar was at once proposed, but owing to the heated argument previously, he refused to have absolutely anything to do with it, although pressed to do so. Several other persons were proposed, but they refused to stand. Finally, on the proposal of Mr Wm Morphet, seconded by Mr C Metcalfe, Mr R Thornborrow was elected for one year. (Carried)

Pasture Letting
As soon as the Chairman announced this, the Vicar rose to his feet and objected to this meeting letting the land, stating that this was entirely the responsibility of the Trustees - he was making this objection to spite the Clerk for his previous objection, as per Trustee Election. The Trustees present tried to come to some decision but the Vicar was adamant, threatening that if they allowed the meeting to let these pastures he would report them to the Charity Commissioners...

The Vicar was now in a very excitable state, waving and threatening. Even the Chairman had to take refuge behind his chair to avoid being hit. Finally the Vicar has his way, thus upsetting arrangements which had been the procedure for 52 years, and the business of the meeting then proceeded.

Footpaths & Styles
Mr Thornborrow raised the question of a certain style leading to a footpath being barred up by the tenant, and asked if this meeting had powers to deal with this matter. The Clerk also mentioned that nearly all the styles on this same footpath had been barred; and formerly it had been the duty of the Lord of the Manor's Bailiff to see to the footpaths. Finally it was pointed out that this was the work of the Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society. As no proposition was made the matter was dropped.

Electors Entitled to Attend Meetings
Miss Chambers raised the question of who could attend, and who was entitled to vote, at Parish Meetings. The ruling was read out by the Clerk.

Road Fencing
Questions were asked about the fencing of the commons. The position was explained by the Chairman and a little discussion took place. Mr C Thwaites  proposed, and Mr C Thexton seconded, that we ask Lord Hothfield to defray the expenses.

The meeting was then closed.

Charity Accounts