First Parish meeting
held in Whittington Lightbourne School Room
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Dec: 4: 1894
Present C.W. Lawrence Esq. / C.F. Dobell Esq.
Messrs J.N. Attwater / J. Lamont / J. Denley / J. Greening / W. Leech
Burton / W. Hobbs / R. Bee / W. Waring / W. Hall / Mustoe / Marchant
Hadland / Pitts / Seats / C. Cox / Sims
the Revd A.C. Lawrence
Mr J. Attwater Overseer & Guardian, proposed that the Revd A.C. Lawrence should be Chairman of the Parish meeting of the Parish of Whittington. Seconded by Mr. C.F.Dobell who dwelt on some of the Features of the Local Government Bill. Mr J.N. Attwater then enquired if anyone dissented from the Revd A.C. Lawrence being Chairman, no one dissenting, the Revd A.C. Lawrence was unanimously chosen Chairman of Whittington Parish meeting.
The Chairman thanked those present for having elected Him & assured them he would do his utmost to promote the Interests of the Electors of Whittington Parish.
He then pointed out that two Items were specified on The Parish Notice posted on The Church & Town Barn, one as to the Election of a Chairman - & the second was thus expressed "to discuss Parish affairs & if thought fit to pass Resolutions" - This 2d Item required some Consideration for it depended on the feelings of those present whether there should be any Business or not & also this being a Parish with a population under 200 there was no necessity for a Parish Council like there was in a Parish - such as Sevenhampton, with a population of 300 & upwards where one was Compulsory here this was not the case & it therefore rested with the Feelings of the Electors present whether there should be a Resolution passed in favour of a P.C. or not, wh. resolution if carried by a majority wd be forwarded to The County Council wh. would then decide whether a P.C. was desirable or not - this led to a further Consideration, which was most suitable for a Small Parish like this a P.M. or a P.C. & what was the difference between the two - He the Chairman could not say there was any real difference between a P.M. or a P.C. in fact He thought there was none & that all the powers possessed by the P.C. belonged also to The P.M. & on that account He did not see what it mattered whether there was one or the other.
If anyone had any Resolution to propose they would all be pleased to listen to it; after about 20 minutes interval the Chairman inquired whether anyone had anything more to say or Questions to ask & as no one responded the proceedings terminated & in the usual way Mr J.N. Attwater proposing a Vote of Thanks to the Ch: who responded by thanking Mr. Attwater & expressing his satisfaction at so quiet & pleasant a meeting.
A.C Lawrence ch.