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On the 1st September, 1891, Mr. William Culshaw was appointed Bookkeeper
and Assistant to the Accountant, at a salary of £110 per annum; and he entered
on his duties on the 21st September, 1891.
(7) MESSENGER.
In the month of June, 1891, owing to numerous complaints as to the service of
Notices of Vestry and Committee Meetings, the Vestry referred it to the Officers'
Committee to consider the method of summoning such meetings with a view to an
improvement being effected. The Officers' Committee considered the question, and
made the following report, dated 3rd July, 1891—
"That having regard to the serious complaints made by the Vestry Clerk
and other officials, and various members of the Vestry, of acts of
disobedience and neglect of duty on the part of the Messenger, he be
called upon to tender his resignation."
This report was considered by the Vestry on the 21st July, 1891, but in view of
Mr. Russell's long service under the Vestry, the further consideration of the recommendation
was postponed for three months.
On the 27th November, 1891, the Officers' Committee considered a letter from
a Medical man complaining of the Messenger (Mr. Russell) having required money
and his tram fare for conveying to him a fee for notifying an Infectious disease, and
the Committee, after fully enquiring into the case, recommended—
"That Mr. Russell be dismissed from the service of the Vestry forthwith,
and that he be suspended until the Vestry Meeting on the 1st
December."
This report was considered by the Vestry on the 1st December, 1891, but owing to
Mr. Russell's denial of the charge, the recommendation was not adopted. I then
read a second letter to the Vestry which had been received that day from another
Medical man, making a similar complaint against Mr. Russell, whereupon
Mr. Russell handed in his resignation, which was accepted by the Vestry. Mr.
Russell applied subsequently for a superannuation grant, but this was not
entertained by the Vestry.
On the 9th December, 1891, the Officers' Committee, in view of the decision
ot the Vestry on the 1st December, 1891, re Russell, decided to resign their
positions on that Committee, and resolved as follows—
"That we, the undersigned members of the Officers' Committee have resolved,
that in our opinion the action taken by the Vestry relating to the
Committee's recommendation re Russell, renders it impossible for us to
continue our membership with proper regard to our self respect, and