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Folios 582-600. Letter from H B Farnall [Poor Law Inspector], Kettlethorpe, near...
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| Reference | MH 12/15161/408 |
|---|---|
| Date | 1855-02-15 |
| Description | Folios 582-600. Letter from H B Farnall [Poor Law Inspector], Kettlethorpe, near Wakefield, to the Poor Law Board regarding the enquiry which he conducted into the various allegations made by W Ferrand, of Harden Grange, Bingley, into the manner in which the relief was being paid to the poor of the Keighley Poor Law Union. Mr Ferrand stated: 1. that Bernard Green, Relieving Officer, had issued vouchers instead of cash to be redeemed for goods at the shops of Messrs Stowell, Bracewell and Atkinson, Guardians, and that wine supplied by Stowell was worthless. 2. that Mr Sutcliffe, Relieving Officer, had issued vouchers to be redeemed by Mr Leach, a Guardian of the Keighley Union. 3. that rents for paupers cottages had been paid by orders of the guardians, some of these were paid by Bernard Green to Atkinson. 4. that Mr Tewley, a Guardian, kept poultry at the Keighley Workhouse. 5. that the medical officers and relieving officers had, on their appointment, been requested to subscribe to a fund to entertain the guardians. 6. that in some cases the shopkeeper receiving the vouchers retained part of the value to pay arrears which the pauper recipients owed. Farnall had taken affidavits which seemed to substantiate all Ferrand's allegations except number 6. Of the guardians present only Mr Leach attempted to defend himself while Mr Green pleaded ignorance. Two methods of indirectly paying paupers' rents are described, either by buying the paupers' furniture and entering the cost, in instalments, as extra relief which was paid to the landlord, or by deducting a sum from the relief due to the person in question, and who working for the guardians under a labour test, and paying it to the landlord. George Spencer, Clerk to the Guardians of the Keighley Poor Law Union, had been aware of these proceedings but stated that it had been customary, with which Mr Ferrand concurred and said that circumstances rendered it necessary. The vouchers issued were in the form of tickets printed with a monetary value and no receipt was given by the tradesman and the money was paid directly to the tradesman by the relieving officer. Mr Leach stated that the only orders which had been received at his shop were filled when he was away, and he had given orders that such vouchers were not to be accepted in future. He had not received any payments and this was confirmed by Mr Sutcliffe. The practice had been discontinued when the relieving officers became aware of its illegality. Mr Milligan, Medical Officer, said he had been asked for a donation by John Sagar, Keighley Workhouse Master, but had refused. Farnall states that the supply of goods in this way can be dealt with legally. He asks that the auditor of the Keighley Union should be apprised of the actions of the officers of the union with reference to the payment of rents and the issue of vouchers. He is not in favour of payment of any surcharge imposed by the auditors. He asks the Board to write to Spencer pointing out the illegality of the actions of the guardians and officers and informing them of the steps which the Board will take to prevent any recurrence. He also suggests that Ferrand should be informed. Enclosed: deposition by Bernard Green, Relieving Officer, regarding allegations against Robert Stowell, a Guardian of the Keighley Poor Law Union. Cross examination by Mr Farnall into above and also into allegations about the guardians expecting to be entertained to a meal by newly appointed officers of the union. The procedure involved in the purchase of paupers' goods which have been distrained by the landlord for arrears of rent is described and, in the case of paupers working on the roads in order to earn relief, the retention of part of their earnings which is paid to the landlord in order to reduce rent arrears. Enclosed: deposition of John Milligan, Medical Officer for the South District. It concerns the quality of the wine supplied by Robert Stowell against orders which he gave to his pauper patients. He denied that the guardians had asked him to provide a 'feed' for them but a suggestion had been made by the workhouse master along those lines. He had refused to contribute. Enclosed: deposition of John Sagar, Master of the Keighley Workhouse, concerning some poultry which he had been accused of keeping at the workhouse for Mr Tewley, one of the guardians. He mentions a gratuity of £5 which has been awarded by the guardians to recognise the extra duties he has carried out because the workhouse population has greatly increased. He also mentions some of the staff hosting a dinner at the Black Horse after the election of officers at which some of the guardians (including Mr Ellingthorpe) were present. Donations had been given by George Spencer, Mr Mitchell and John Binns on behalf of Mr Ingham, Medical Officer. Enclosed: deposition of Edward Sutcliffe, Relieving Officer for Bingley District. He had followed the same procedure as Bernard Green in issuing vouchers to paupers for goods. He did this in spite of doubts about the legality of the vouchers being redeemed at the shop owned by Mr Leach a Guardian. He had also purchased paupers furniture to avoid it being seized and sold by the landlord. Annotated: the President concurs that the auditors attention should be drawn to the facts in the report and a letter sent to the guardians emphasising the serious nature of the irregularities and the steps which the Poor Law Board will be taking. A copy of the letter to be sent to Mr W Ferrand. Paper Number: 5508/1855. Poor Law Union Number 571. Counties: Yorkshire West Riding. |
| Held by | The National Archives, Kew |
| Legal status | Public Record(s) |
| Language |
English |
| Closure Status | Open Document, Open Description |
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