Tag: GRO0340

Passive Resistance: Further Police Court Proceedings at Newton: Mr. M. Fortescue (chairman), Mr. H. T. Eve, K.C., M.P., Col. Bradford, Dr. Ley, Mr. H. St. Maur and Mr. L. Bearne were the magistrates present at Newton Petty Sessions Tuesday, when a further batch of Passive Resisters were dealt with. Rev. Samuel Lyne (Baptist) and Mr. Ernest James Macey, Highweek, were summoned by Mr. T. S. Underhay, Assistant Overseer, for the non-payment od a portion the poor rate. — Rev. S Lyne, by from whom 3s 6d was proven to be due, said he did not object to pay the poor rate. Without going into details, he said he was there to object to the Education Act, but owing to the satisfactory way in which the religious difficulty was met in Highweek he was prepared pay the money into Court … … The following Bovey Tracey “Resisters” were summoned by Mr. H. J. R. Heath, the Assistant Overseer, and son of one of the defendants, for nonpayment of the respective portions of the poor rate: Rev. Ralph Blake, 3s 2d; Rev. W H. Payne, 2s 10d; Messrs. George Pinsent, 1s; Robert Millar Carpenter, 1s 9d; William H. Heath, 18s 10d; William Pascoe, 1s 9d; James Turner, 3s 6d; Arthur Wyatt, 1s 9d; Jabez Tucker, 3s 10s ; George Tucker,1s 9d; and William Sercombe, 4s 4 1/2d. The Rev. Blake said he was taking the same stand as he did six months ago, and he would again if the Act was not altered. He had a strong conscientious objection to paying a rate for sectarian purposes and that was the only means of his making practical protest. As the Bench were dealing with the cases separately. It pointed to the fact that separate warrants to be issued instead of one joint Warrant to cover the whole. If he might be allowed to ask, he should like to know the reason the Justices were adopting a different course from last time? … … Mr. Pinsent said his only reason for not paying the rate was because he did not believe in the Act. It was contrary to his own conscience and to the teachings of the Bible. He refused to pay voluntarily then or at any other time. … (continues) … 

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

Referenced

GRO0340 Bovey Tracey: George Pinsent: 1844 – 1937

Bovey Tracey Townsfolk at Newton: A large number of Bovey Tracey Passive Resisters appeared before the Newton Bench yesterday. Mr. H. J. Heath, son of one the Passive Resistors, proved the rates, and the cases were taken separately. Rev. R. Blake (2s 10d) said his objection was the same as that stated six months ago, and when he came there again his objection—a strong conscientious one—would be the same. Rev. W. H. Payne (3s 2d) objected to the wording of the summons, which stated that he had not paid the poor rate, or any part thereof. He had paid the poor rate. What he objected to, was the part devoted to the teaching of sectarian education:  Believing that the Act provided for sectarian teaching, he objected to pay.  Mr. George Pinsent (1s) said he objected to pay because the rate was devoted to that which was contrary to his conscience. Mr. William H. Heath (8s 10d) said he wanted to know whether the amount was really part of the poor rate, or was it a rate for education? He strongly objected to paying a rate for education when they had no part or power in controlling it. The Chairman: We all object to rates. Mr. Heath: What I object to paying is the working rate. Others appearing were Messrs. Robert Carpenter (1s 11d), William Pascoe (1s 9d), Turner (3s 8d), Arthur Wyatt (1s 9d), William Sercombe (4s 41/2d), George Tucker (1s 9d), and Jabez Tucker (3s 2d). These gentlemen all stated they had conscientious objections. Separate orders were made in each case.

[see also Western Times: Friday 23^rd September 1904 and similar Exeter and Plymouth Gazette: Wednesday 21^st September 1904]

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

Referenced

GRO0340 Bovey Tracey: George Pinsent: 1844 – 1937

Bovey Tracey: A meeting of those interested in the Passive Resistors movement was held in the Schoolroom of the Baptist Chapel on Monday evening. The Rev. W Payne was called to preside. Rev. Blake, Messrs. Heath, G. Pinsent, Sercombe, J. Tucker, Carpenter, Pascoe, J. Hart, J. Turner, T. Wyatt, A. Wyatt, and several other friends of the movement were present. On the motion of Mr. H. Heath and G. Pinsent, it was unanimously resolved to act in the same manner as on the last occasion, any wishing to be passive resistors communicate with the Rev. Blake.

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

Referenced

GRO0340 Bovey Tracey: George Pinsent: 1844 – 1937