The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-11 00:00:00

Revolt of a Board of Guardians.

An alarming scene ensued on the meeting of the Board of
Guardians of Portsea Island on Wednesday, when it was
discovered that they had been surcharged the sum of two-
pence three farthings per week per head for their tea. This
surcharge was made by the Poor Law Board, which impe-
rial institution had previously disallowed the cost of buns
and cake provided for the pauper children on Good Friday.
When the board met, the Clerk called attention to the
fact that the Poor-law Board had refused to:allow an item
in the board's audited accounts for tea supplied to the
guardians at their fortnightly meetings, and ho also said
that the Poor-law Board had surcharged the guardians for
the amount.

Mr. HOWELL said it would be something novel for a
board of guardians to "mutiny" against a poor-law board,
" but," said ho, " I am going to propose that all do so now.
It is a hard thing, after sitting here so many hours trans-
acting public business, to be denied the small privilege of
restoring ' fallen nature' with a cup of soothing tea.
(Laughter.) I say it is a hard thing to come hero and pay
attention to the poor-law business and then be called upon
to pay for a slight means of refreshment. I say, let us meet
the Poor-law Board face to face, and refuse to pay for the
tea. Let us pass a resolution that we positively refuse to
attend here any more to carry into effect the operations of
the poor-law until the Poor-law Board think proper to
withdraw their vexatious opposition. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. DA:VEY—It is not often that Mr. Howell and myself
row in the same boat, but I will row with him now and
second his motion.

The CLERK—I cannot outer that resolution on the mi-
nutes, because it is an illegal resolution.
Mr. DAVEY—My idea is that we direct the clerk to write
to the Poor-law Board, and inform them that we will not
act until tha cup of tea is conceded. The cost has nothing
to do with it ; it is upon principle only that I advise this
course, I do think that, as men elected by the people to do
their business, we ought to make such a stand now that
the Poor-law Board will be quite satisfied that it is our
intention not to carry on business any longer. (Hear,
hear.)
The CLERK again urged the illegality of any such reso-
lution as that suggested by Mr. Howell. He would not enter
it on the minutes.
Mr. DAVEY—Then let us write a note to the Poor-law
Board, without regard to Mr. Devereux—l'll sign it.
Mr. KENT—SO will I.

Several Guardians—So will we. (Loud laughter.)

. Mr. HowELL—I think the clerk is quite right not to act
in this mutiny—let us act for ourselves. It would be bad
grace on the part of the clerk to enter such a resolution.
But we are a board of guardians, and it is for us to say that
wo will not stay here under such circumstances, and that
as a body wo pledge ourselves not to sit again until the
restriction is removed.

Mr. DAVEY—I second the proposition that the Poor-law
Board shall bo written to, calling their attention to the
disallowance of the 21d. for tea, and informing them of
our intention not to attend again until the restriction is
removed.
Mr. HOWEII (who had been busily writing)--I beg to
propose "That the Poor-law Board having refused to allow
the guardians to take tea at their meetings, and surcharged
certain members of • the board with the amount, the mem-
bers of the board hereby positively refuse to attend any
future meetings to administer the Poor-law until the Poor-
law Board withdraw their opposition thereto."
Mr. DAVEY.—I quite agree with that, and I'll second it.
The CHAIRMAN—I have made Up my mind not to attend
here again while the restriction lasts.
Mr. DAVEY—We'II all stick to you—you know we do.
(Hear, hear.)
The motion was carried neon. con.
This terminated the proceedings.

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