The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1901-05-15 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

PEOPLE ARE SAYING.ITHE WORKMAN AND THE RELIEVING OFFICER.  That .his Worship the Mayor attended the Orton-road Congregational Church on Sunday in state. The occasion was, of course, the Hospital Sunday collection. There was a good representative gathering of town councillors, Corporation officials, and other citizens, and the local charities benefited by the demonstration to the extent of over thirty pounds. That the Rev. Matthew Stanley, the scholarly pastor of the church, preached an impressive discourse, in which he touched, in a thoughtful and suggestive manner, on the problem of physical pain. He referred incidentally on the serious evil of slum property, which does so much to create the need for hospitals by creating diseass. He showed how physical disease has roots in moral evil, and while strenuously enforcing the claims of the hospitals to support, he insisted that the work of reformation was not limited to the cure or amelioration of disease, but should extend to the removal of the causes now in operation to which disease may be traced.  That the sooner Parliament deals with the education difficulty, which woo created by the Cockerton. Judgment, the better. The present state of uncertainty is causing trouble all round. Birkenhead is not exempt, as was shown at the meeting of the School Board on Monday last. The School Board does not know what to do about the proposed building in Conway-street, which, as originally projected, was to be a pupil teachers' centre, and afterwards, with modifications, eeemed suitable for the accommodation of the higher elementary school. The question now is, bow the School Board will be placed in respect to authority when, and if, the Government Bill becomes law; and the sooner that question can be answered the better.  That the town's welcome to Sir Elliott Lees, M.P., will be given this evening, when an interesting gathering round the dinner tables may be looked for. To-morrow, it is announced the gallant officer will meet his constituents, which means that he will meet a carefully sifted section of his constituents who, in the opinion of the Tory managers, are worthy to be granted tickets for tilie great occasion.  That no less than three tragedies have been enacted in Birkenhead during the past week. In one case an old lady met a violent death in Church-etreet the circumstances of which are now being investigated in the Coroner's Court and the Police Court. A man in Corporation-road committed suicide on Friday, depression of spirits due to difficulty in getting work being the apparent cause. Yesterday another case of suicide was reported from Shrewsbury - road. Forttinately, it is not often that the town is shocked by such a suoceesicui of tragic events.  That the circumstances surrounding this case are particularly pathetic. The lady was well-known and highly respected, and those who knew her would never have supposed that uncle: any circumstances would she have attempted to take her life. Her health had been delicate for some time, but latterly has improved. There seems to have been DO special cause for the deed, and it can only be surmised that it was committed in a sudden acceea of frenzy which sometimes without warning and without manifest cause, may seize even the worthiest and best. The coroner's inquiry may throw fresh light on the point. The utmost sympathy is felt for the husband and children of the unfortulate lady.  That two memorials were started in memory of the late Canon Linton. One was associated with. St. Paul's Church, Argylestreet, where he ministered for so many years. The other was in connection with St. Mary's, whither he removed from St. Paul's. The former movement has now been abandoned, so that the efforts of all may be combined. This action is wise and generous, and doubtless the result will bo a worthy memorial of a man who has truly deserved well of the town. The proposal is to place a suitable subject in stained glass in. one of the large windows of St. Mary's Church. A considerable sum is needed, and the public are invited to subscribe. That interest centred around St. Mark's Church, Claughton, yesterday, when Miss Annie Maaver was wedded t 3 Mr. F. W. Archer. The father of the bride is well remembered by his former constituents as a well-disposed, kindly gentleman, and whether they like his politica or not, he and those who belong to him, will always have , their cordial good wished. In these later times, although Mr. Maclver dwells in the town, he has taken no prominent part in its affairs.  That Ruskin, Hall announces two free public lectures for next Sunday and the Sunday following. The lecturer is Mr. Laurence Small, and he will discuss "Darwinism and Socialism" on the first occasion, and "The Law of Progress" on the eecond. Both lectures will commence at 840 p.m., so attendanceat them need not interfere with churchgOing•  That to-morrow rrharmlay) evening .11. r. Charles A. Beard, 8.A., will ctieeccurse at the  The letter which we published on this subject on Saturday, together with our leading article calling for an inquiry, has borne fruit. At yesterday's meeting of the Birkenhead Guardians a committee of investigation was appointed. The terms of the appointment. as set forth by Mr. W. Mersey Jones, who proposed it, cover not only the present case of alleged oppression, but a general inquiry as to the authorised  mode of procedure when payments have to be collected from relatives. In thus promptly taking action the GUardians show a proper sense of their responsibilities, and we look forward with confidence to the result of the inquiry. In the meantime it is fair to state that Mr. John Evans has explained to our representative that, when the sister of our correspondent appeared before the Relieving Committee, her complaint was not ignored, but she was told that if her brother would himself attend the matter should be inquired into. Apparently she did not clearly understand this. The main point, however, is the hardship endured by the man himself as set forth in his letter. No one would suppose the Guardians would knowingly be parties to any oppression of the poor by their officers, but the case, as it was presented to us, suggested that perhaps they had not realised the need for inquiry. Whether this be so or not. they have taken up the matter now with commendable vigour.  TO