When any member of the 24 or 48 is duly summoned to come before the bailiffs at any place within the town, for the holding of a council [session] or to give help to the town, and absents himself and fails to appear before them at the appointed hour, whoever of the 24 is absent is to forfeit 12d. on each occasion and whoever of the 48 is absent is to forfeit 6d. to the use of the town, unless they have a legitimate excuse; levy [of these fines] is to be made immediately or[, if not possible,] a distress is to be taken by the officers, wherever it [i.e. distrainable property] may be found, and brought into the Tolhouse, there to remain until the fine is paid.