The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-03 00:00:00

MORE DISCI

'OVERIES IN ST. PANCRAS,

Yesterday a most extraordinary and painful scene
of excitement took place at the meeting of the
directors and guardians of the poor of St. Pancras,
in the Vestry-hall, by theannouncementj(in addi-
tion to the recent defalcations and. absconding of

Mr. Hallam, one of the rate collectors, and Mr.
Birchmorc, the relieving overseer), that the clerk
to the board, Mr. Charles Hibbard, had also become

nod.. est.

Mr. Churchwarden ATTENBOROUGH having been
Called to the chair, as soon as the minutes of the

previous board were read,
Mr. WTATT said it was with deep regret that he
had a most painful communication to make to the
directors ; although at the present moment they
had no positive proof in reference to defalcation?.
there was no reasonable doubt but that Mr. Hib-

bard, the clerk to that board, had absconded.
(Great sensation.) They were aware that the clerk
had asked for a week's holiday to go and see his
wife, who was ill in the country, and his time to
return had expired last Thursday, but he had not
made his appearance, and from what had transpired
there was no doubt of the fact that he had ab-
sconded. About a fortnight ago himself and Mr.
Attenborough discovered that there was a sum of
£3 for which the clerk had given a receipt not
accounted for, and although they admonished him
severely, still, having full confidence in him and
being assured. that it was the result of error, and
the only one, they did not think it advisable to
denounce him before the board as a defaulter.

(Sensation.) As Mr. Hibbard did not return on
Thursday Mr. Attenborough and himself had
visited his house, and finding no satisfactory infor-
mation as to where he was, they waited upon his
father, and he referred them to his solicitor, in
Ely-place. From what they collected there they
had no doubt he had absconded; and upon exa-
mining the clerk's accounts they found that there
was about £B5O represented as debts due from other
parishes. (Cries of " Oh, oh," and sensation.) At
the same time, with the exception of the £3 re-
ferred to, they had not up to that. moment a proof
of one shilling defalcation against Mr. Hibbard.
In fact, in order to ascertain bow they stood, they,
would in all probability have to write to nearly
every parish in England to know what they owed.
(".Oh, oh," and sensation.)
Mr. Fisher, Mr. Turner, and other members
warmly condemned the conduct of Messrs. Wyatt
onrl Attenborough for not bringing the discovery
of the- £3 betore the lovarcitlin moment they made
it ; and Mr. Turner said it was alleged that Mr.
Birchmore, like Mr. Hibbard, was a most confiden-
tial officer although his dismissal was moved twice
prior to his defalcations.
Mr. STOCKTON did not think Messrs. Wyatt and
Attenborough were deserving of censure. They
looked upon the clerk as an old and confidential
officer, and did not wish to destroy his character
for so trivial a sum. He was, however, truly
astounded at what he now heard (hear, hear.)
Mr. WYATT defended himself and Mr. Atten-
borough, and said another strong reason why they
did not mention the £3 to the board at its last
meeting was that they found it had been paid in
the very morning Mr. Hibbard went away for his
supposed holiday.
Mr. YOUNG thought all they could now do was
to refer this painful subject for investigation to the
committee of inquiry. already appomted as to
Birchmore's defalcations.
Mr. WYATT thought that power should also be
given to put the matter into the hands of Messrs.
Humphries and Sons, solicitors, and employ a
detective. It might also be necessary to offer a.
reward for apprehension.
The CHAIRMAN, in answer to a question from
Mr. Austin, said he had no doubt that Mr. Hibbard.
was fully acquainted with the defalcations of Mr.
Birchmore when he asked for his holiday, which
was on that day fortnight.
In answer ' to further questions, Mr. WYATT
stated that the apprehension as to defalcations
arose from an observation from the solicitor (as was
understood) that if £5OO would cover their clerk's
difficulties he could have it, and he replied it was
no use.
Mr. Cook, the vestry clerk, was called up, and
asked whether he could spare Mr. Burrows, one of
his clerks, to assist Mr. Jaques in performing the
duties of clerk to the directors till a successor was
appointed. He replied that in consequence of the
rigid orders of the vestry in reference to checking
the collectors' rate-books.he could not. Ile-had no
objection, however, to assist hiinself.
After further discussion, it was resolved :
" That information having been received by the .
directors that Mr. Hibbard, their clerk, has ab-
sconded, the vestry be requested to declare his office
vacant. That the vestry also be requested to aid
the board with the assistance of one of its clerks to
assist Mr. Jaques, the accountant, in the perform-
ance of the duties of clerk for two or three weeks,
until a new clerk can be appointed."
Upon the motion of Mr. WYATT, it was further
resolved :
" That the treasurers (London and Westminster
Bank) be informed that the clerk to the directors,
Mr. Hibbard, has absconded, and that he is no longer
authorised to countersign cheques ; but that the
board have appointed Mr. Jaques to do so till fur-
ther notice."
In the midst of this complication it was announced
that the poor law auditor, Mr. Streeten, desired an
interview to make a statement to the board, and on
being introduced said—Having recently made him-
self acquainted, by his audit, with. their books, he
found them in such a state as to render it de-
sirable that he should ask the directors to
appoint a committee- to re-arrange, them, as
he found that there were no two books which agreed
with each other. After entering into some details as
to the books, Mr. Streeten said, in reference to his
audit he had felt obliged to make certain surcharges
upon the directors, but he had not done so in any
unfriendly spirit, but strictly in accordance with
his duty.
Mr. "Wyatt and other gentlemen complained that
they had been surcharged for matters not explained,
and contended that the auditor was bound to ex-
plain this.
Mr. Streeten admitted this, and said he would
do so in his certificate book.
The committee was then appointed and a most
excited board adjourned.