The Sun.
London, England, 1846-11-10 00:00:00

POOR RELIEF WORKS.

A circular has just been issued by Lieutenant Hotham,
of the 75th Regiment, inspecting Officer of \Yolks for the
county of Carlow, to the chairmen of relief committees,
in order that they should clearly comprehend the duties
they are called upon to discharge in the application of
the funds to be raised off the counties to carry public
works into effect. After pointing out the impractica-
bility of the public officers being able to correct abuses
without the co-operation of the gentlemen in the neigh-
bourhood, the circular goes on to say—
" The subjects which will come before you are of so
various, and of such different natures, that it will be
hard for me to apt cify them all to you. But I may
mention a few:—

" Complaints have been made to me already, that al-
though numbers of people are anxiously seeking fur
employment o❑ the roads, farmers and others cannot ob-
tain labour even at increased prices.
"If this should be the case in your neighbourhood, it
will require a close investigation.
" If the labour which is required is of the ordinary
description, and the payment offered sufficiently remu-
nerative, I think we shall find that the cause of it will
be that too many labourers are employed on the works ;
or else that those employed are making more money
than the farmers can affcrd to give as wages ; and, de-
sirable as it is, in the present high price of food, that
wages should be increased for the sake of the poor, they
can never be increased to such a pitch that the farmer
cannot afford to pay them without doing a serious injury
to ❑ext year's crop, by causing imperfect cultivation of
land—thus aggravating for the ensuing year the cala-
mity we are suffering in this. This is one point which a
committee on the spot, able to hear all statements, and
acquainted with the wants of the country, is pcculiarly
qualified to investigate."
Complaint is then made of the want of sufficient care
in employing the carts of the poorer description of la-
bourers ; and it is estimated that, as all work is to be
done by task, it would be desirable that the poor man
should have the benefit of his children's services when
undei• 14 years of age ; after that age adult tickets are
to be issued to the most deserving. The circular then
proceeds:—

" The overseers of the works are placed in a most re-
sponsible position, standing as umpires between the
Government and the poor; on them I hope the com-
mittee will direct their attention, supporting them by
their influence as long as their conduct is upright, and
reporting them to me if they con iider them inefficient.
"It is in these and other matters connected with the
relief of the destitute that I should wish the commit-
tees to become, as it were, local courts of investigation
as to any alleged grievance or abuse, and considered by
the people as such. By the order of Government they
can have no power of interference with the works, how-
ever great the abuse; all they can do is to authenticate
it, and report it to me; but I am confident, under this
system, no abuse can exist very long; moreover, the
very knowledge that a power exists enabling committees
to examine into and report upon abuses prevents their
occurrence, strengthens the hands of the overseers, and
convinces the people of the necessity of conforming to
the established regulations.
" Overseers, and all others connected with the works,
have received orders to give any information the com-
mittees may require, and, in the earnest hope that our
endeavours to carry out this system of relief may be at-
tended with advantage to all classes in the county,
"I have the honour to remain, Sir, your most obe-
dient servant, "A. T. HOTHANI,
"Lieutenant of the 75th Regiment,
and Inspecting Officer.
"The Chairman of the Relief Committee at -."
A

__ MAN STUNG TO DEATIL—On Friday week an
inquest was held at Hemsby, Suffolk, on the body of
Mr. Palmer, a miller, in that village, who a few days
before had, while employed in his :garden, accidentally
overturned a skep of bees. Tho insects attacked the in-
trudee, and stung him so dreadfully, that he died a short
time afterwards. The jury found a verdict accordingly.
—Cambridge Independent Press.
OPENING OF A DAILY EXCHANGE AT NEWCASTLE.
—On Friday afternoon, the Exchange on Sandhill, New-
castle-upon-Tyne, was formally opened as a place of
daily business for the merchants of that port. The
ceremony was performed by the mayor, who was accom-
panied by a numerous body of gentlemen, with music
and the insignia of the corporation.
THE LATE FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE.—On Saturday
Mr. Baker held an inquest at the Cumberland's Head,
City-road, on the body of Mr. IL Rigden, aged 28, who
lost his life at the fire that occurred on Friday morning
last, at 18, Powell-street East, Goswell-road. It ap-
peared from the evidence of Mr. Henry Shank, the land-
lord of the house, that the deceased returned home to
his lodgings on. Friday morning at an early hour, at
which time he seemed slightly inebriated, and was smok-
ing a cfgar. Having been furnished with a small piece
of candle, he retired to bed, and in the course of a few
minutes afterwards Mr. Shank went down from his own
to deceased's bed-room, in order to satisfy himself that
deceased had properly extinguished his candle. Finding
that he had taken his boots off, and had placed them
outside his room door. Mr. Shank concluded that de-
ceased was quite capable of taking care of himself, and
he returned to his own bed. About six o'clock, on Mr.
Shank getting up, and passing the bedroom of the de-
ceased, he could hear the deceased coughing, but did
not imagine that any thing had happened to him. At
half-past eight o'clock, whilst another lodger was passing
deceased's room door, he discovered the fire, and when
the door was opened the flames rushed up the staircase,
and it was with the greatest difficulty that Mrs. Shank
could save one of her children who was sleeping in the
top room. As soon as the fire was extinguished, de-
ceased was found lying on the remains of a feather bed,
most awfully burnt. The feet were totally destroyed,
thas ttlre disfigured,
and the face and other portions of the body were fear-
fullyinevidencethe
originated T he
isfacatpoarri ltym provedapartment
be.
sleepingsa longing' to the deceased, and the jury returned a verdict
of Accidental Death.