wisely in declining to hold a court in 1840, when the accounts could have been audited and when claims would not have been debarred by the statute of limitations]
The Deputy-Mayor of Faversham said it was very proper to go into the question of the last fines and to audit the accounts, but he supposed all further notice of them would be unnecessary in consequence of the statute of limitations. The Faversham people thought it must be a very unimportant municipal affair that required to be settled only once in 29 years, and on that account both obsolete and unnecessary. They also thought that the Municipal Act set aside anything that they could do there; but the deputation came to support the dignity of the ancient institution and out of respect to the chair's.
On the motion of the Mayor of Sandwich, it was resolved that the accounts be passed. It was next resolved that the usual fee of five guineas be paid to the Chaplain, with thanks for his most excellent address, and a hope that it would be printed.
The Chaplain (the Re. T. Nightingale) said that though he had no local standing among them, he should feel it a dereliction of duty if he did not tender them his warmest thanks. With regard to publishing his sermon, they might not know that the notice he had was very short, and the sermon was put together somewhat hastily; still, he would take their request into consideration, and if they should think it deserving, nothing would give him greater pleasure than to comply with that request.
The next question being to appoint another solicitor in place of the late Mr. Shipden, it was ultimately decided that the Town Clerk of Dover be appointed without salary. Out of this question arose another - whether it was advisable to continue these meetings. Mr Rock, a baron from Hastings, asked what would be the consequence? He thought they could not give them up altogether, as that would be giving up their character. Baron Ginner (also of Hastings) asked what would be the position of the towns which were not affected by the Municipal Act if they abolished the court? Those towns governed themselves under the charters granted to that court, and it was a question whether they would be qualified to elect mayors or bailiffs if the court were abolished.
It was then moved by the Deputy-Mayor of New Romney that the meeting at its rising should adjourn till another summons was issued. He thought they would not be justified in throwing up all their privileges by dissolving the court.
