The Express.
London, England, 1859-01-18 00:00:00

P.ummAurmmnm

INTIATIOATIOX DT TIIZ YRSTIT.

Yesterday, at a special meeting of the representa-
tive vestry of St. Passau, held in the Vestry-hall, Camden-
town • Mr. Chu den 111 the chair,
Mr.' Ross said certain reports of observations alleged to
have been made by Mr. Tyrwbltt, the magistrate et Clerk-
@swell Police-court, had appeared 1a the public press, by
which the reputation of that vestry was at stake, unless they
immediately took step to eel the prose sod the public right
upon the matter so far u that board was oratierned. (Hear,
hear.) The statement was, that a young girl sixteen years of
w, named Mary Ann Hodge, had applied twice during the
night and morning for • lodging in St. Pancras workhouse,
sad had been refused by the muter. (Hem, bear.) Now,
as the emery wee Mused Gar this, it was only right that the
public should know that the vestry of St. Pancreas was in no
way responsible for the conduct of the workhouse or its ma-
nagement, but that it was a matter entirely In the
bawds of the directors of the poor. (Hear, hear.)
He (Mr. Rom) was surprised that the master did not possess
more feelings of common humanity than to permit this poor
girl of 16 to remain out in the streets all night. The board
of directors were elected by the vestry, and as the superior
body he felt that they would not be doing their duty unless
they invesUgsted ties matter tramper:sive of the director*.
(Hem
_,_ hem.) Mr. Roes moved, " That the case of Mary
H Ann odge be vederrad to the General Purpores Committee
for ievertigation sad report, and that Mr. Wiulo, the master,
be at onoe called before them to Lipkin his conduct." (Haan)
Mr. Tuoaas BLD Benin, J.P., seconded the resolution.
It wee not just that the vestry skald bear the blame foe the
directors who had does this. (" Hear, bear," and " No.")
Mr. COWDEROT said he had frequently interposed at the
workhomm-dooe to get females who ware corside admitted,
bat before he became a member of that vestry his applies-
dons were unheeded. Since, however, he had been more
suocemful. He thought they Should demand to know what
instruction, were given by the directors to the master and
doorkeeper with respect to the admission of the camel poor.
(Loud cries of " Hear, hear.")
The CHAIRMAN was not at sll
from
that the vestry
were anxious to relieve themselves the impueation of
being concerned in this transactloa. No one could feel more
indignant than he did himself when he saw the entements
of the public prints and Mr. Tyrwhitt's remarks using
St. Pancras, more especially when he found that this girl
beluga to Clerkenwell, where she had also been mimed,
although actually beloaging to that parish. Further, she
had been brought up at Clerkenwell workhouse, and here-
fore it was clear, fish. was destitute, the knew well where
to go to. (Ilese_, hear.) In his (Mr. Cameron's) opinion,
this magistrate bad gone out of his way sad beyond has duty
—(best, hear)—and lie denied that he had bad • similar care
from St. Pancras during a period of six mooths. The docu-
ment recently published by the Poor Law Board at once re-
futed the insinuation that ins St. Pancras they did not admit
the mutual poor. That return showed that in St. Pavers,
the largest number was admitted of any house in the metro-
polis—namely, upwards of 11,300, while the adjoining pariah
of Warylebone only admitted 375.
Mr. Frames coneidered that the entry should take the
radian opportunity of setting itself right, and clearing their
characters from the opprobrium which such s csee as this
was calculated to inflict on any local autborii tee.
Mr. Roes begged to disclaim any sttack on the directors,
bat es that vestry was assailed, and as ha saw that sub-
soripthme for the girl were announced in the papers, the
The
en investigation took place the better. (Near.)
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. WINLo, the curter of the workhouse, was then called
in, rad having been lammed of the object for which his
sttendance was required, he made the following statement.
He said—l was called between the hours of 1 and 2in the
morning by the night watchman, who said theme wasp a girl
belonging to Clarkeswall, brought to the door by • olice..
MAR, who waited a eight 'a lodging. I told him if the belonged
to Clarkenwell she had, better go there. This was on Tkuus-
day, or rather Friday receraing. On Friday I was went for
by the magistrate of Clsrkenwell. I went, and was told to
sit dowo. Some time after a pollens= got into the box, and
when he did so he appeared not to recollect what be had got
to my, until the clerk said, ' Toe mid Maud so this monks,"
and then Mr. Tyrwhitt said, " Don't you recollect what you
said this morning?" After this the night watchman was
examined, and then I was called on, and made the some state-
ment I have now made here. The magistrate then thought
proper to make the observations whirl. appear in the papers.
The Master here underwent a rigid mmer etominstion by
Meson. Hopton, Brettingtiam, Heernden, Farrar Roes,
Goodwin, and other members, in the course of which he
positively declared that he had no knowledge of the girl
of Velnapyinicgintwice,
th"se ornodestitutte. menion whatever
it been,as emh'e ale tolidiauat
once have been admitted. Ills ground for refuting wee the
statement that she belonged to Clerkenwell, which he knew
to be no great distance. If the girl 'had declared herself
" destitute,' the required no policeman to gain admimicm.
His iostraceloms mire bean the directors, giving him • discre-
tionary power to admit; but to all cases of destitution adroit-
nor:
ktiWitsgat once.
kivizwntedthat. Twhkeienigh.ht portc.7towasmitoitb.larneuthisin
girl's mood application.
Mr. DYIII mid, under the old system at St. Pancras work-
house, ths prinelpla was to admit at once. end id= site.
Mr. Rem wished to know how the master &eke-
tbs. Would ho not ermilise the fact of this poor girl apply-
ing twice for a Wen in one night evidence that she was
destitute ?
Mr. W este mkt he might have dose OP had he known it.
The moomdtags mom afros Wroniaamd.

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