The Sun.
London, England, 1856-11-15 00:00:00

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'04'5P...41.11E13.
7 IN
THE 100R,LAW BOARD A :VD THE
OP MAR TLEBONE.
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A MANDAMUS THREATENED AGAINST TtrE
PAROCHIAL AUTHORITIES.
Yesterday the parochial authorities of St. Marylebone
assembled for their general weekly meeting in the board-
room of the workhouse, New-road, Mr. Bishop presiding.
Mr. RAE, the secretary, read another long communi-
cation from the Poor-law Board, dated " Whitehall,
Nov. 13, 1856," in which the board fully recapitulated
the proceedings between the commissioners and the
parochial authorities up to the present period from the
inquiry instituted by their inspector into the alleged
logging of women in the workhouse to the resignation
of the master, at the same time remarking that th•
board had received no reply to the proceedings of the
board of guardians upon the resignation of the master,
and observing that there being virtually no such officer
in the workhouse now, called upon the guardians to
show cause why they did not proceed with the election
of another master in the place of Mr. Ryan, resigned.
In conclusion, the commissioners said :
" The directors and guardians have not informed the
board what is the object of their consideration with refe-
rence to this matter. But lam directed by the board to
point out again that the office of the workhouse master is
vacant, and has been so since the date of the resignation of
Mr. Ryan, such resignation being absolute and cOmplete in
itself ; so that it is unnecessary for the directors and guar-
dians to consider whether they will or will notascocnenletgiatl.ly
" I am further directed to state that it ie now incum-
bent upon the directors and guardians forthwith to fill up
responsiblethe forvacancy
i n
the performance
order
thatthere
o f the duties may he
some
per
of the office
of master, and legally empowered to enforce the regula-
tions necessary for the due order and discipline within the
workhouse.
" In conclusion, I am directed to inform the directors
and guardians that unless they are prepared at once to fill
up the vacant office, and do forthwith till it up, the board,
however reluctant to adopt such a course, will, in the dis-
charge of their duty, have no other alternative but to
apply to the Court of Queen's Bench to enforce upon the
directors and guardians their legal obligation.
(Signed) " COURTENeY, Secretary."
Mr. POTTER moved that the communication should be
taken into consideration that day week, and in the mean-
time a letter which had been prepared by the rector
would be forwarded to the Poor-law Board. (Hear.)
Mr. BATTING seconded the motion.
The Rev. Professor MARKS drew the attention of the
board to a most important point in the communication,
where the Poor-law Board stated that there was no longer
a master in the workhouse, and therefore if a- y riot or
insubordination arose in the workhouse, the master had
to appear before the magistrate, he (Mr. Marks) should
like to know if he would recognise the master's authority!
Mr. POTTER replied that this question was one of
minor importance. (Hear, and dissent.) The Poor-law
Board wished to show their authority ; they (the
guardia is) disputed it, and he (Mr. Potter) doubted it
altogether. (Hear.) If they admitted the COMEllissioll•
ere' right to dismiss the ma,-te r, they could not elect or
dismiss another without tie board's approval ; and there
was the great question to be solved. (Hear.) If they
acknowledged the authority of the Poor-law Board, they
would have none left themselves. (Hear.) Therefore
he considered his motion for the consideration of the
poor-law letter that day week would fully meet the case,
and when the struggle came be trusted they would be
Able to fight and beat the Poor-law Board. (Hear.)
The Rev. Professor MARKS continued—He hoped
that it was fully undeestood the matter would be fully
considered that day week, and not put off from time to
Lime again as it had been. (Hear.) He sincerely trusted
the matter would be seriously considered that day week
once and for all. (Hear.) Tne question should not be
net by individual opinion, but in a fair and manly manner.
Mr. POTTER rejoined that he trusted the board would
act in concert to oppose and not admit the authority of
the Poor-law Board. (Hear.)
The Hon. and Rev. Mr. PELHAM, the rector, observed
. hat he thought the subject should be considered by a
Special board. (Hear.) Their legal adviser had ex-
pressed a wish that all steps should be kept over until
the settlement of the St. Pancras contention with the
Poor-law Board, but the question there was a very different
one to that in Marylebone—it was respecting the ap-
peintment of an auditor, and not as to the dismissal and
election of a master, It was therefore important under
such circumstances, and as they were threatened with a
writ of mandamus, for their legal adviser to again attend
and give his advice ; for if they met to consider the sub-
ject, they would not like to come to a decision without
Oaving proper legal advice In conclusion, the rector
moved "That a special board be appointed to take into
consideration file whole subject."
This amendment having been seconded,
Mr. POTTER withdrew his motion, as he wished the
hoard to act in a body in such a matter.
Mr. ANDERSON warmly condemned the interference of
she Poor-law Board, observing that by their own letter
on a former occasion it was evident that it was not the
-nere dismissal of the master they were aiming at, but to
get a footing in the parish; for they said that it was not
e mere change of officers would benefit the workhouse,
Lnd at the same time forwarded rules and regulations
`or its future management. For years past they had
aken a most dishonourable part in their efforts to ob-
tin a power over the officers of that large and influen-
,ial parish, and he trusted the parochial authorities would
sow resist them to the utmost of their power. Under
the circumstances, he urged that a motion should be
edopted, in which the Poor-law Commissioners would be
,ntermed that they (the guardians) were alone responsible
,o the vestry acid the ratepayers, who had elected them.
Mr. VANHEEMS said that under the circumstances it
you'd be advisable for the master not to appear at pre-
ent as prosecutor before the magistrate, but any cases
insubordination should be brought before the board
for disposal. (Hear.)
Mr. CARR remarked that the house was in a most die-
:raceful state of riot and insubordination ; and only that
norning the master had applied for additional cells,
(Great dis.atisfaction.) He never saw the house in a
verse state ; and when he went through the oakum-yard
:uring the week, he found the women running about
yelling, and making all sorts of noises. (Increased dis-
Atistaction )
Mr; Tindal, Mr. Potter, and others, charged Mr. Carr
with exaggerating the real state of things, but they ad-
mitted at the same time that 71 insubordinate females
were allowed to assemble together.
Further discussion ensued, and the Hon. and Rev. Mr.
Pelharn's motion for a special board was agreed to, in
order that the subject might be fully gone into and fin-
ally settled. The board then adjourned.

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