Teignmouth: Election of Harbour Master: A meeting of the harbour commissioners was held at the Court House on Thursday last. The following commissioners were present: Mr. Vicary, chairman, Messrs. Ward, T. Hutchings, S. Hutchings, Coleman, J. Drew, jun., Elias Ford, Stooke, J. B. Pinsent, Bearne, Milward. The minutes of the last meeting having been read, and the usual business transacted, the meeting proceeded to the election of harbour master, in the room of Mr. Matthew Warren, deceased. There were five candidates for the office — Messrs. Captain Bartlett, T. Bulkeley, J. Poland, William Warren, and Henry Warren (son of the deceased). The usual salary is £30 per year, but Capt. Bartlett offered to perform the duties without fee or no reward. The names of the candidates having been read by the chairman, and a show of hands given for and against each, the names stood thus: For W. Warren, no votes; Henry Warren, 2; J. Bulkeley, 3; J. Poland, 1; Capt. Bartlett, 5. The chairman then read a resolution that Capt. Bartlett be appointed harbour master. A show of hands was then made, and it appeared that Mr. T. Hutchings, Mr. S. Hutchings, Mr. Ward, Mr. Millward, and Mr. Stooke voted for, and Messrs. Pinsent, Drew, Ford, Coleman, Bearne and Vicary against the appointment of Capt. Bartlett: The chairman then declared Capt. Bartlett out voted and called on the meeting to vote for Bulkeley. Messrs. Vicary, Bearue, Drew, Ford, and Pinsent then held up their hands for, and only two against his appointment, viz., Messrs. Stooke and Coleman; several of the board expressing their intention of reserving their votes for Mr. H. Warren. The chairman, however, declared Mr. Bulkeley duly elected. The mode of election was greatly against the majority of the meeting, and the election of Bulkely may be rather attributed to the confusion attendant on this mode of voting, than to any feeling that he is at all preferable to the other candidates to fill the office. That Capt. Bartlett’s offer should not have been accepted as a source of astonishment to many, particularly as his practical knowledge of maritime affairs and his independent manner, would have rendered him a valuable man in the office. That the Chairman declared Mr. Bulkeley elected without requesting votes for Mr. H. Warren, is also a matter of surprise, and it is the opinion of several parties that the election has not yet ended, and that an attempt will be made by the other candidates to have another election.
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
GRO0518 Devonport: John Ball Pinsent: 1819 – 1901