By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 7th July 1855 contained the following letter from a reader.
This Victorian ratepayer, like many Islanders today, was dismayed at the idea of the public purse footing the bill for legal advice for a local authority that often seems to end up in trouble. In this case the advice wasn’t even followed – that must have hurt!
“COUNSELS OPINIONS.”
To the Editor of the Isle of Wight Observer.
Dear Sir,—I think your readers should know that the old economic portion of the Board of Commissioners are again exercising their morbid appetite for “counsels opinion,” with increased infatuation, and contempt of consequences. The rumour that was received very generally as a calumny, that counsels opinion had been taken for the purpose of learning in what manner the commissioners were to pay the jury’s award and get possession of the enclosed land on the esplanade, proves to be correct, so that the ratepayers, in addition to paying a legal adviser a large sum per annum for simply obtaining his opinions, (evidently considered valueless), will have to supply these dainty revellers in “counsels opinions” at any cost that may be, and appertaining to questions that the merest tyro in the law could solve.
The point raised by Mr. Denman, Mr. Dashwood’s counsel, as to the jurisdiction of the sheriff, is not, it appears, worthy of passing notice, neither is it considered either respectable or dignified to devote a single thought in an endeavour to avert further litigation in respect to this matter.
It is almost time, Mr. Editor, that committees “with full powers” had ceased to exist, if such are their results; at least so thinks
“A GRUMBLER.”