Vestry Minutes Book
covering Highways matters

Easter Tuesday 1850
Mr John Twitchen was continued as Surveyor of the Highways for the year ensuing
Mr John Twitchen produced his accounts which showed a balance in hand of £ 29-9-11d

12th April 1850
Vestry Meeting 'for the purpose of appointing a fit person as Sexton in the room of John Seward deceased.'
and also to take into consideration the best means of arranging with the Trustees of the Turnpike and the general management of the highways.
Resolved unanimously that as a Committee on behalf of the Parish to make such arrangements for the repair of the turnpike as they may think best for the interest of the Parish'

Mr John Drake the Churchwarden reported he had examined the Book of the Surveyor of the Highways as requested at the last Vestry and found several errors therein which increased the balance from £29-9-11 to £40-17-7 and that a discrepancy appears in the statement of the former years balance.
Proposed, Seconded and Resolved >'That Mr John Twitchen the Surveyor do deliver up the Account for the year ending Ladyday 1848 and Ladyday 1849 to the Churchwardens for further examination on behalf of the Parish.'

4th June 1850
Mr John Drake and Mr Flower reported that on examination of the accounts of Mr John Twitchen the Surveyor there appears a balance of Five Pounds and two pence due to the Parish for 1848 and 1849.

18th June 1850
Mr Twitchen the Surveyor was called upon for his explanation when he stated that it had arisen from error for which he was unable to account and that he had no knowledge of any alteration being made in the figures.
Resolved 'That the Surveyors Account Book for the year ended March 25th 1850 be sealed up and retained in the custody of the Churchwardens'
Resolved That Mr John Twitchen be suspended from the office of Surveyor of the Highways now held by him and that he do forthwith make up his accounts to the 15th instant and deliver the same to the Churchwardens.'

20th August 1850
Meeting called '.....to determine as to the reinstatement or discharge of the Surveyor of the Highways who has been suspended by order of the Vestry and to take into consideration the appointment of other Surveyors and the general
management and control of the Highways within the Parish for the future.'
Proposal that he be reinstated; amendment that the suspension continued.
Amendment passed and suspension continued.

18th October 1850
'Moved and seconded that Mr J Twitchen be requested to retire' and,
'That in case Mr Twitchen does not signify his intention to retire from his office within six days from this day......the Vestry Clerk be directed to attend before the Magistrate and prosecute Mr Twitchen.'
'Carried without division.'

1 st November 1850
'...Mr Twitchen had resigned ... had produced his accounts'
'Resolved That Mr Twitchen be paid his salary Twenty Five Pounds to the 29th September and the account balanced'
'That a Surveyor be appointed for the Highways until Ladyday next at a salary of Fifteen Pounds and that he give security in the sum of One Hundred Pounds and that Mr John Twitchen be appointed Surveyor.
That the Surveyor be empowered to contract with any person or persons for the maintenance and repair of Roads until Ladyday and that he be recommended to accept the tender of Mr Cowley.
That the following persons be appointed a Committee to direct the expenditure of the monies to be collected by the Rate and to order the repairs required to Arches Bridges and other Things not included in a contract and generally to assist the Surveyor.'

5th November 1850
'The following were agreed on as the Terms of Contract for the Repair of Roads with Mr Thomas Cowley.
Roads to be kept and left in good repair to the satisfaction of the Committee appointed at Three Pounds per mile until 25th March 1851.
Payment to be made by installments in the last week of December, January, February and March on production of Surveyor's Certificate.
To employ Parishioners of Kingsclere in the work.'