The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-04-04 00:00:00

THE DIFFICULTIES OP THE POOL

At the Westminster Police-court on Monday an
elderly man, who looked like a farm labourer, applied
with his wife for the assistance of the magistrate to
get back to Trowbridge, Wiltshire. The wife addressed
Mr. Partridge, and said she had been married over
forty years, and during the greater part of that tune
she had lived in Wiltshire, where ;he and her hus-
band were born. They were married in Bradley
Church, and in the graveyard there their children lay
buried. A few years ago, she said, they came to
Chelsea because work was scarce where they lived,
and her husband obtained employment as an ordinary
labourer. Seven months since, when this engage-
ment ceased, they returned to Trowbridge, and rented
a cottage for is. sd. a week. Shortly before Christ-
mas her husband was seized with rheumatism, and
this affliction continuing for many weeks they were
compelled to apply to the Westbury Union for assist-
ance. For five weeks they had outdoor relief, but on
Saturday morning, at five o'clock, they were taken out
of bed by two policemen, and afterwards the relieving
officer brought them to London and left them at the
Chelsea Workhouse. The old man, who stood in the
witness-box behind his wife whilst she spoke to the
magistrate, seemed thoroughly broken down. He
commenced crying, and said he did not wish to stop
in the workhouse. Mr. Partridge said he would have
inquiries made into the case, but he should advise the
applicants to remain a day or two in the workhouse.
At the Lambeth Police-court, Henry L(34resay, 30
labourer, was charged with absconding from Lambeth
Workhouse with clothing, &c., belonging to the guar-
dians, and leaving his children chargeable to the
parish. Mr. Fielder, the master of the workhouse,
stated that on Thursday last the prisoner left the
workhouse, without permission, leaving his four
children in the workhouse. Mr. Biron (to the pri-
soner) : What answer have you to the charge? Pri-
soner: I wanted to get work, and if I had got it I
should have taken the children out. I applied to the
Board of Guardians, and they refused me permission
to go out to seek for work, and the master likewise
refused. Mr. Biron :Is that so, Mr. Fielder? Mr.
Fielder: Yes. Mr. Biron : Well, if that is the case,
how is it to be expected a man can get work, and
cease to be a pauper? Mr. Fielder: But he left the
children. Mr. Biron : How can it be expected that he
could drag four small children about the streets in his
search for work, and without a farthing in his pocket?
Mr. Fielder : The guardians in many cases are
obliged to refuse, knowing th character of those who
apply, and that they mean absconding and leaving
their children. L could not grant permission. Mr.
Biron : I quite understand you acted upon the orders
of the guardians. I cannot enter into an argument
with you. I have expressed my opinion upon the
matter. Mr. Fielder: But I wish to say that the
guardians take all surrounding circumstances in
giving a refusal. The prisoner had been a pauper
from childhood. Mr. Biron : I have nothing to do
with that. lam looking at the fact of the man being
detained in the house when he is anxious to get work.
I am not going to send a man to gaol under such
circumstances. The prisoner is discharged. Mr.
Fielder: We shall be having other men doing like
the prisoner. Mr. Biron : I have already said I
cannot enter into an argument. When I have before
me an offender, and there is reason to show he is
guilty, I will send him to prison. The prisoner was
then discharged.