VICAR'S UNPAID RATES.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17586, 15 December 1928, Page 14 (Supplement)

VICAR'S UNPAID RATES.

IMPRISONMENT ORDER. The Rev. Gilbert Watling, vicar of St. John's, Dyson's Road, Edmonton, England, was summoned at Tottenham for non-payment of rates amounting to £l6 15s -id. When Mr Watling's • name was called there was no answer, and Mr Cadman, the collector, said that nothing had been paid. Mr R. Green, the presiding magistrate, said that at the last hearing the vicar promised to pay. Personally he did not like the position, and had

no alternative but to commit the vicar to prison for 28 days. Mr Watling has been before the

Tottenham Court many times in connection with his unpaid rates. In February last when ordering the vicar’s committal to prison at once for not paying £lO in rates Mr Green, the chairman of the court, said: “This man is making a trade of this. He is using the court as an

implement for the purpose of cadging from the generous public. I have known the time when I have received through the post £6O, £7O, or £BO for him, and you do not know how much he has received himself.

This man has no right to pose as a martyr when as a matter of fact he is sponging and cadging from the benevolent public. Mr Watling subsequently denied the allegations, and said he was bankrupt. It has been stated that his stipend is at least £350.