The Sun.
London, England, 1862-11-01 00:00:00

711 E ALLEGED PROFLIGACY IN lIIE

BEIHNAL-GREEN WOREHO US

The investigation into the accusatio s against
Theobald Meyrick, the master of the workhouse,
was resumed yesterday before R. B. C ne, Esq., the
poor-law inspector, and a board of g rdians.
This was a second case against the defendant,
brought by Sarah Moss, a girl, it was stated, of
somewhat weak intellect, who when she first entered
the workhouse was admitted as sane, but has since

been placed in the lunatic ward.
Mr. Lewis was present on behalf of the defen-
dant, and Mr. Angell for the prosecution.
The Chairman said when he was present before
it was stated that certain monetary temptations had
been held out to Sarah Skinner, for her to forego
her accusation against Mr. Meyrick, but the man
who, it was said, was the party who had tendered
the money was not forthcoming, although he had
issued a summons for his app ion, a conse-
quently he had not sent in his report, but as he
was then. given to understand that there was a
chance of the summons being served, he should still
refrain from sending in his report till the man was

forthcoming.
Sarah Moss, the complainant, said she was 19
years old, and was passed from Bethnal-green
Workhouse to the City of London Union about 18
months ago. She subsequently returned about six
months ago, when she left and went to Bow-road
Union. When in Bethnal-green Workhouse she was
in the infirmary with ulcerated throat. Was in the
infirmary about six weeks. After she left the infir-

mary was set to work in the house. Was well treated,
but had to complain of the master, Mr. Meyrick.
Hales, the porter, went and fetched her out of the

receiving ward to go and see the master, and took
her to the office, where he left her. This happened
when she first entered the house. IV hen she was

alone in the office the master asked her to pull up
her elothes. He told her also to undo her frock,

and she did. He then put his hand on her breast.
She then left the office. She complained to Mr.
Bristow of what had happened. Did not say any-
thing to the nmtron, but told some of the girls.
Pomroy was the name of one of them she told, but
could not remember the names of any of the others.
Went out of the workhouse the day after this hap-
pened, and stayed at home all day, and returned to
the workhouse the following Wednesday. When

she returned Mr. Hales went for her and conducted

her to the presence of the master, and left her alone
with the master, who then asked her to take an

oath denying what she had been saying. She said
she could not deny what she had said. He then
said he would send her about her business. She

then left his office, and told some of the girls what
the master had said to her. Some time after this
she was alone, cleaning some carpets outside the
master's offices, when he asked her if she would
take hold of a dog's tail, putting his dog on a table.
She always conducted herself very modestly, but
did not always use modest language.
By Mr. Lewis—Was admitted into the house on
Sept. 7, 1861, and remained till the Bth of March,
during which time she was punished by the master
for using bad language. Was also punished a se-
cond time, not for using bad language, but for tell-
ing the girls what the master had said. The next
time she was confined for six hours for insubordi-
nation. She was allowed bread and water all that
day. On the 27th of May she was confined for 10
hours—not for using bad language, but for telling
the girls what the master had said to her.
By the Chairman—Did not remember being shut
up on the 10th of May with other girls. Did not
remember a girl named Leonard. Had been before
the guardians before in this room. Did not say
anything to them of what had happened.
By Mr.Lewis—Never said that her mother turned
her in the street at night. Her mother never said
she (complainant) would swear anything. When
she was admitted her mother was asked to see the
board. The master had told her what her mother
had said about her. Her mother had said she was
not right in her mind. Did not remember being at
the master's office at any time with her mother and
Mrs. Pomroy. Never told the master that her mother
had locked her out all night. Was quite sure she
was never in the master's office with her mother and
Mrs. Pomroy. Her mother told her she must get
her living the best way she could. Was positive
she had never said her mother had turned her out

the streets at night. Did know Maria Northburn.
Had said to her out of a joke that she had met two
chaps, who gave her some gin and ale. Could not
say why she had told that falsehood in joke. It
was quite true she was in the park, but not with
two chaps—not at 11 o'clock, but in the afternoon.
Had told the truth when she gave her statement
against the master. She did not tell all the truth
to her mother. She did not like to do so.

Mrs. Moss, mother of previous witness, lived at
5, Albert-place, Bethnal-green. She recollected her
daughter entering Bethnal-green Workhouse. Had
seen the master three times, each time in his office.
The master sent for her and said he had done so to

satisfy her that he had never put the reported ques-
tions to her daughter. He said he had had her in
before Mr. Bristow, and she had denied every word
she had previously said. She then asked to see her
daughter, but the master said she could not see her,
it was too late. She had received a letter from him,
stating he wanted to see her at once. He said her
daughter wanted to come out, and asked witness to
take her out. Witness, however, said she could not
afford to do so.

By Mr. Lewis—Never chastised her daughter
for being out with men. Had never had occasion
to do so. Would not swear that she had not said
her daughter had been out with men. Never heard
of her daughter going into the Park and meeting
two men. Her daughter had never told her so.
Had never told her daughter she might get her liv-
ing the best way she could. She was sure that Mrs.
Pomroy was present with her and her daughter in
the master's office. Had told her daughter she could
not afford to keep her, and that the house was the
best place for her. Forgot if she said when in Mr.
Meyrick's presence her daughter was not. right in
her mind, and that no one could believe anything
she said. Had said her daughter was an untidy
girl. Her daughter was a little unweak in her mind,
but knew right from wrong. Remember positively
that she never told the master her daughter was
weak in her mind. Did not say in the presence of
Hales, the porter, to the master, not to let her out
again as she was not right in her mind. Mr. Onion
took down her statement in writing, but gave her
nothing for her trouble—was quite sure of that.
Mr. Onion went to witness and she not to him.
Her daughter never told her she had turned her into
the streets and locked the doors. Her daughter oc-
casionally told untruths. Had been married 21
years.
By the Chairman—Had told the whole truth on
this occasion, although she had said she occasionally
told untruths.
Stephen Moss, father of complainant, said he was
a tailor, and remembered receiving a letter from Mr.
Meyrick on the 21st of May.
By Mr. Lewis—Remembered the date of the
letter so accurately because he took particular no-
tice. He had a good memory. The letter said,
46 Madame, I want to see you as soon as possible,
concerning your daughter, Sarah Moss." That was
all the letter contained to the best of his memory.
His daughter was discharged from the house three
after the date of the letter. Would swear
that the letter was dated the 21st May. Was not
sure whether his daughter was not at home on the
19th of May swear that he had a received
a letter containing the above contents. He be-
lieved what his daughter had said, but did not
complain.
Could not sayte why
master'sh e did
mn
jos not
o n acomplain.uetiug
uponheard of h
one occasion. He never mentioned
to any on
the master had
seen misconducted him-
thehimself
onlyselfto
his daughter. that Redeughter,
Could not recollect if he
recoect ion
ha firstd seen
ue
hthat
before.mo id not
recollect
r
' penned downany hisoccas wife's
upon whicn Mr. Onion

statement.
Here the witness was severely cross-examined by
Mr. Lewis, and he ultimately admitted that he had
seen Mr. Onion four times previously, thus con-
victing himself of perjury_ lie was at once ordered
to leave the witness-box.
Hales, a porter, was next called.
Er; mined by
Mr. Lewis—Remembered the mother of the gr'
ir.
Moss saying she wished her daughter to be kept in
the house, fur she was not quite right. Her daughter
was about at night, and she was afraid she
get herself into trouble_ The master had toldwould the
girl what her mother had said.
Susan Pomroy, an inmate of the workhouse, and
superintendent of the cleaners, said she had beard
the mother ask the master not to let the girl out, as
she was constantly running after men, and she was
[earful of her getting into trouble.
By Mr. Lewis—Heard the mother say the girl
wee not right in her head. She was constantly being
hers
paanvie been
herself
shed. Witness did not believe the girl could
h
right in her heed or she would never con-
duct
immoral but asstnilied
By the ChairniPan—Di
did. Her conversation was not
d consider her a malicious
girl, bat thought her
sense.conduct arose from want of
By Mr.
the girl ' Angell—Had told the
not to be right. Had master she believed
soon after the girl told the master this
the matron several enteredtimthe house, and had told
the matron and Masteresw.h No one was present but
girl stopped out lateat • when the mother said the
night. Had frequently
re-
ported the girl, and each time she told
the luaster
she believed the girl was not right.
Mr. Buncombe, medical officer- of the City Union
Workhouse, was called for the
Purpose of reporting
upon the mind of complainant. He considered - e they
could not rely on her oath. Her conversation
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