Teignmouth: Harhour Commissioners: On Thursday a special meeting of the Harbour Commissioners was held at the Athenaeum, for the purpose of electing a clerk, in the room of J. H. Mackenzie, Esq., who has resigned. It was proposed by Mr. Vicary, seconded by Mr. Pinsent, and carried unanimously “Resolved that the best thanks of the Commissioners be tendered Mr. Mackenzie, for the very efficient services he has rendered at all times to the Commissioners as their clerk; the ability he has shown on all occasions, whereby the business of the Commission has been the subject of consideration, and his constant attention to their affairs warrant this public expression of their approval.” The Chairman read letters from Mr. Reginald, W. Templer, and Mr. John Hellier Tozer, offering themselves as candidates for the office. The Chairman said the clerk would be elected during the pleasure of the Commissioners, and he would accept office on these conditions: — To attend all cases of advocacy before the magistrates without extra charge, and the salary would be £50 per annum. Mr. T. Hutchings said the duties of their clerk had never been clearly defined, and he would like to see drawn up a paper what the clerk’s duties were, as he found charges had been made on several occasions, which he considered should not be paid, but belonged to the clerk, as a part of his duty. Mr. Mackenzie said he had never charged anything but for such things as a properly certificated lawyer only could do, and of course such things as these were extra from the duties of clerk. The Chairman said nothing would prevent the Commissioners from arranging the clerk’s duties after his appointment, as he would be appointed during the pleasure of the Commissioners. It was very easy to understand the duties of the clerk, but exceedingly difficult to write them down. It would involve a great deal of time and occupy a deal of paper. The voting then commenced, each commissioner being called upon by the chairman, who asked for whom he voted, and his vote was then recorded. For Mr. Templer were Messrs. Ward, Vicary, Bearne, Millward, Ford and Pinsent, (6). For Mr. Tozer, Messrs. Drew, Goodridge, Stooke, Mansfield, S. Hutchings, T, Hutchings, Burnett, Harris and Whiteway (8). The chairman then declared Mr. Tozer elected, and read the resolution ” that Mr. John Hellyer Tozer be appointed clerk of the Harbour Commissioners during the pleasure of the commissioners, at a salary of £50 per year, to include all expenses inclusive of the fees for attending before the magistrates, &c.”A letter from Mr. Mansfield was read wherein he said” much as I may wish to facilitate the interests and welfare of this port, and to become a useful member of your commission, I am bound on principle to tender you this day my resignation. In explanation thereof I find the nature of my business being in a measure a restriction and a preventative to my possessing that free agency I should wish to exhibit in all matters connected with the board.” Mr. T. Hutchings asked if a commissioner could resign. Mr. Mackenzie said he could not. He was elected for three years and went out of office by rotation. The meeting then separated, and Mr. J. H. Tozer cordially thanked each of his supporters for their patronage.
[see also Exeter Flying Post: Thursday 3rd February 1859]
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