The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1885-10-03 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

WIRRAL GUARDIANS.  meeting dg obfypt The usual fortnightly Board of Guardians was held on Wed in the Board-room, Clatterbridge. Mr. „lII.' Russell occupied the chair, and the follow' • members were present :—Messrs. Gruzur and S. Wright,E d jd.ocwareste(vr7W-ch. airmen) Knowles,; ssrs Ch Robin and W. Gleaduiwdmaomwtw, Bushell, W. Jones, G. Cook, S. Lee, T. W: Thompson, R. A. Sacre, Smallwood. .1 andA ct J. "S. Otollihvaev(ecleberke)n. The question of considering the new Lareie Mr T Lee, who had given notice to that effect. • , In Mr. Lees's absence, Mr. Stanton EddowP4 said they were all aware of hoiii force new Art a lunatic was found at learuaseeng;traloeleipsl3cot''lowhe ClTistabl e. Aaghrtraaec rvtibild:gitmaaabne,edovtnreorpoyrasveecioexiveeerailhq, him to the workhouse, where the authoritie there ws.s proper accommodation. He considered the thdifficulties in regard to the treatment of lunatics. The question now left fir deciian was, is the house provided wth accommodation. In his opinion it was not s provided, and unless the Government wera further, and compelled them to build proper accommodation, the law was quite useleas. The Chairman said when Mr. Lee had first mentioned the matter he had told him that the Board were bound to receive the lunatic; but latterly he had said it was only if the. were proper accommodation. Since then they had had time to study the law, and enquire into it; and during the time Mr. Thompson had sent a lunatic to the house, and upon the grounds that there was not proper accommodation they had refused to admit him. The constable was told that h. himself would be accommodated if he liked t.) stop at the house and take care of the luilatir. but he had not done so. The Act said pro. vided there was not proper accommodation. but in that event it did not compel any sticl: deficiency to be remedied by the buililing oi extra places. The man • eferred to had ssid himself that he intended to commit suicide. and if the Board had received him, and entrusted him to the care of an old man, h. might have carried out his threats. lu that case, they would have increased very grave responsibilities. Mr. Thompson had him sent to Dr. Main, and a certificate of insanity wa: obtained. However, another doctor hail certified that he was quite sane. Mr. Thompson said he had only done as L. had with the object of getting information While the man was in his care he kept Lira in a room opposite to his own bedroom, with both doors open. He had great trouLle and inconvenience keeping him. Mr. Bushell said Mr. Thompson had acted exceedingly judiciously. The BOtirlhad a great difficulty to contend with, and it was on,. which they should not overlook. He thought that the two clauses should be read in conjunction with each other. The second elanse read thus: " The relieving officer, overseer, or constable may remove the alleged lunatic La the workhouse of the union in which he is and the master of the workhouse shall. nuleas there is no proper accommodation in the workhouse for the alleged lunatic, receive and relieve and detain him therein, but no person shall be so detained for more than three dayi. Clause 3, however, laid the onus on the mazistrates as formerly :—" In any case that the justice or justices shall be satisfied that it expedient for the welfare of the lunatic or tI4 safety of the public that the lunatic should bu forthwith placed under care and control, such justice or justices, if it shall appear to hint or them that there is proper accommodation for such lunatic in the workhouse of the union in which the lunatic is, may make an order for taking the lunatic to and receiving him in the said workhouse.- In that cast, it was put wupoornkhtohne magi decide rto accommodation. ‘h vet r tHI .• (Mr. Bushell) thought the Board should coal municate with the authority in London. 5' that they might have their duty clearly shoai: them. At present, they were only made mon hazy by the new Act, which was to have doh. away with all difficulties. Mr. Eddowes said the justices might di.agree as to the qualifications of a workhonie some holding that it was provided with al: sufficiencies, and others that it was not.  Mr. Bushell said the whole power was still —rather unwisely—vested in the maeistrate4 for they might know little about the workhouse.  Mr. Russell thought it might look a., though they sought instructions to build if they wrote to London about it. He thought the old law had acted very well. and be diJ not see why they should nia'se any enquiries, at all. He was sure the Board would not clash with the magistrates, who all knew that therc was not accommodation for lunatics it that house.  Mr. Eddowes proposed that letters b. written to the Head constable ana to th• Magistrates' Clerk asking them to infer. their worships that they might not send lunatics to the house.  The Chairman said that the new law wa really a dead letter and of no avail, a; far a. it touched their district.  Mr. 011-ive—s-s.idih-c-re-Was a lunatic ward i most of the large houses. _ _ _  Mr. Jones seconded the propo=al of Mr Bushell.  Mr. Thompson said he would rather snp port Mr. Eddowes's motion. Mr. Eddovves : But there is no oppositiobetween them. I give my cordial support t: Mr. Bushell's motion as well.  Finally the two motions were entbodk.' and the clerk instructed to write the acre,sary letters.  Mr. Bushell said. as to incurring expen4e they were there to do their ditty, no matte what the cost. If they did not know thei, duty it was better that they should be gla to get the information when they could. Mr. Russell being oblige-I to leave, Mr Grundy took the chair.