TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Kumara Times, Issue 3072, 7 September 1886, Page 2

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

“Chiltern Hundreds.” —ln former times, the beach forests which covered the Chiltern Hills, in Buckinghamshire, England, were infested with robbers, and in order to restrain them and protect the peaceable inhabitants of the neighbourhood from their inroads, it was usual for the Crown to appoint an officer who was called the Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds. The office, which has long ceased to serve its primary, now serves a secondary purpose. A member of the British House of Commons cannot resign his seat unless disqualified either by the acceptance of a place of honour and profit under the Crown, or by some other cause. Now, the stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds is held to be such a place, and it is consequently applied for by, and granted, in the general case as a matter of course, to any member who wishes to resign. As soon as it is obtained, it is again resigned, and is thus generally vacant when required for the purpose in question. When the Chiltern Hundreds are not vacant, however, the same purpose is served by the stewardship of the Manors of East Hendred, Northshead, and Helpholme. The gift of the Chiltern Hundreds lies with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and there is at least one instance of its being refused.