e freeholders as well as householders. Litigation followed
the choice of the Rev. William Moreton in 1788, and also the election of
the Rev. G. H. Fisher in 1834. It is understood that this system of
"patronage" has been condemned by the Privy Council; and that application
has been made for the proper constitution of a St. Giles's parish, but
the Bishop demands a quid pro quo.

All attempts to create a Parish of Willenhall have, so far, utterly
failed. The existing system of patronage is always the obstacle, and
nothing will induce the voters either to sell or to surrender their
rights in the Advowson.

To fully realise the position it must be borne in mind that in addition
to the three constituted "parishes" created within the original township
of Willenhall since Mr. Fisher became Incumbent of Willenhall in 1834,
Short Heath is now a separate township, with separate District Council,
and that Bentley has its Rural District Council--so that persons who live
in Bentley parish, Short Heath parish, the three constituted
ecclesiastical district parishes or districts, and the unappropriated
remainder of the township (nominally St. Giles's parish), have all the
right to vote for the clergyman if they have the necessary other
qualifications of householder and freeholder.

On the death of the Rev. G. H. Fisher in 1894, no less than 23 formal
applications were forthcoming for the vacant living. The keynote was
given at a preliminary meeting of St. Giles's congregation, at which Dr.
J. T. Hartill presided, and when the most likely candidates were formally
proposed and seconded for adoption.

The voting (recorded on cards) resulted in favour of the Rev. William
Elitto Rosedale, M.A., Rector of Canton, Cardiff, for whom there were
265, as against 26 given for the Rev. W. L. Ward, of St. Anne's,
Willenhall. The Churchwardens consistently directed the procedure at
this public election as nearly as possible along the lines which would be
followed by private patronage; they declined to take any active part in
the circulation of testimonials, or afford facilities for any candidate
to preach in the church, to the possible prejudice of the others, but
they passively acquiesced in each one approaching the electors in any way
which seemed fitting and proper to himself.

The votes recorded on this occasion were:--

Rev. W. E. Rosedale (Canton, Cardiff) 199
Rev. W. L. Ward (St. Anne's, Willenhall) 157
Rev. J.