The Warwickshire Herald. — 1899-02-02 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE AT A GUARDIANS' MEETING.  An extraordinary scene occurred at the last meeting of the West Ham Board of Guardians. After the report of the call over ccmmittee had been read, the Rev. Tom Warren expressed himself strongly respecting the inmates being put on certain task labour by order of the committee without the authority of the full Board. Mr. Mills, the chairman of the committee, denied that this had been done, and challenged Mr. Warren to quote an instance. The Rev. T. Warren: I can easily do that. John Burns, a man of weak intellect—(laughter)—was doing sensible work. but Wa9 taken from it and put to the detestable task of breaking ten bushels of stones.  Upon this several members rose and began speaking at the same time; and the Rev. T. Warren concluded his remarks with • motion to the effect that all task work should be ordered by the full Board.  This was seconded by a lady member. The chairman interposed with a remark, which again brought up the Rev. T. Warren, who exclaime in an angry tone: "I will not stand it. I will not be bullied by the chairman; he is always at it." _ _  The chairman: I don't expect anything proper from you; I have never had it vet. The Rev. Tom Warren : No more have I from you. (Cries ot "Sit down, Warren; disgraceful.") A member : I should like to say one word. Another member We d,m' t want to hear; we have had too many words already. Another member : We have had enough of this rot. Warren doesn't know what he is talking about. (Confusion.) At this point the scene was beyond description. The chairman plied his hamw:er vigorously, the members shouted one against the other, and rapped the tables and water bottles, creating a great din. The chairman: I shall leave the chair, and adjourn the meeting. The Rev. Tom Warren: I move we go on with the business.  Mr. Anderson: I second it. You are compelled to go on, Mr. Chairman; it is monstrous. The chairman If I leave the room, who can take the chair?  The Rev. Tom Warren: We'll soon put someone else in. . . _  The chairman (rising): The Ilcard is adjourned until three o'clock. (More noise and confusion.) Mr. Anderson: You can't do it; the members are your masters. The chairman: I will not Fit here and Le bullied. Mr. Warren: No more will I ; understand that. (Cries of "Out Relief," "Vote," "Time," Lc.) The chairman: A motion for out-relief is carried. The Rev, Tom Warren: I claim a division. (Cries of "Rubbish," :`Don't put it.") . . . .  The ladle's here picked -111 their jackets, the gentlemen took their hats, and all left the room amidst a scene of general confusion.  Information has reached London that the man Ravelli, who escaped to Italy after the Long-acre murder, has been tried, found guilty, and sentenced to thirty yeara' imprisonment.  A serious fire occurred on Friday at Brook Farm, Tandridge, near Croydon, the property of Mr. Michaelis, the millionaire. Four stacks and the outbuildings were destroyed by the names, which made great headway in consequence of the nearest engine being four miles distant. Amen named Henry Tivella, aged thirty-two, while working the other morning on the roof of Messrs. Carbutt's Rice Mills, Dockhead, slipped through a fanlight and fell into a shafting, where be was caught in the machinery and his body mutilated in a shocking manner.