VESTRY MEETING—The usual vestry meeting for the nomination of Guardians and Overseers, the election of way wardens, the nomination of a collector for the parish, and to decide which section of the Assessment Act shall be adopted for the parish, for the next year, has just been held. Mr. E. B. Randall was voted to the chair. There appeared to be a general conscensus of opinion against the overseers having to collect the rates, and Mr. S. J. Joll was generally supported when he said that it was not an enviable job. There were times when the duties of an overseer clashed with a tradesman's interests, and moreover seeing they were only in office for one year they could not get acquainted with the duties. He proposed that a collector be appointed. This was seconded by Mr. C. Thompson. Mr. W. H. Simpson stated that in his opinion it would be better to retain the assistant overseer but to extend his duties to collecting the rates, as then the vestry retained entire control as to duties, salary, &c., in their own hands, and the assistant would act as vestry clerk, assistant overseer, and collector. He moved that an assistant overseer be appointed to discharge all the duties of the overseer. This was seconded by Mr. Wyman, and Mr. Joll said the amendment was in agreement with his subject and he withdrew the resolution in its favour. The amendment was then carried unanimously, and Mr. Sargent thereupon retired. The Chairman stated that he (Mr. Sargent) had told him he would undertake the extra duties at £5 more per annum, and this he considered very moderate. Mr. Sargent was unanimously elected. The next business was to nominate overseers and Messrs. J. Higgins and T. Eady were nominated, and for the two Guardians the four following gentlemen were nominated:-Messrs E. B. Randall, W. Spong, G. Wyman, and T. Sanders. Mr. J. Thompson was elected waywarden. The next business was to adopt a section of the Act, and the Chairman stated that if sect. 4 was adopted then the overseers of all cottages must compound for and pay the rates, while under sect. 3 it was optional with the landlord whether he paid or not. Mr. Wyman moved, and Mr. Simpson seconded that the 3rd section be adopted. Mr. C. Groome moved that the 4th be adopted. He thought the rents had been adjusted to meet the 4th section, and although the large landlords might not make any alteration, perhaps some of the smaller ones would pub on the rates, and not take off the rent, and it would cause unpleasantness in the parish. Mr. C. Thompson seconded the amendment, but, being put only three voted for the 4th and nine for the 3rd section, which was accordingly carried.