III. THE CHAMBERLAINS.
In ancient times the Chamberlains of the Corporation were the financial and administrative officers, described in the Latin version of The Dover Charters as " Custodes dicte ville," one of their principal duties being to act as custodians of the Corporation property. Under date 1387 they figure in the opening passage of a Dover Charter thus: — "This Indenture witnesseth that John Monin, Mayor, and John Hamon, Thomas Lord, Robert Alein, and John at Mill, Chamberlains of the Port of Dover, in the name and with the assent of the whole Commonalty, have granted and at fee fann demised to William Chilton and Johanna, his wife, one plot of vacant land," etc. The Chamberlains, of whom there were four, were paid a small salary, and were elected annually, their accounts being made up and audited after the close of each Municipal year. It was their duty to receive all money due to the Corporation and to record all payments ordered by the common assemblies. The Cham berlains may be described as second rank burgesses, for only a few of them came into the roll of Mayors. In the Stuart Period the number of Chamberlains was reduced to two, and during the last decade of the old Corporation's existence only one was appointed annually. The last Chamberlain appointed previous to the passing of the Municipal Corpora tions Act of 1835 was Mr. Henry Morris, and he, in 1836, was appointed by the new Town Council as Borough Treasurer. The office was subsequently held by Mr. Rigden and by Mr. C. K. Worsfold; but since 1887 the manager of the London County and Westminster Bank has been the Borough Treasurer.