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Folios 121-123. Letter from W Barlow, Master of the Bishops Stortford Poor Law Union...
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| Reference | MH 12/4540/78 |
|---|---|
| Date | 1850-09-02 |
| Description | Folios 121-123. Letter from W Barlow, Master of the Bishops Stortford Poor Law Union to the Poor Law Board about 'the most distressing position it is possible for a Master to be placed in'. On 7 August 1850 he told the guardians that he could not maintain discipline among his officers with the course pursued, and was told that if he did not like their treatment he could look for a fresh place. He asked for, and was given, a testimonial on 21 August 1850, but subsequently came under very strong pressure to resign. He would have done so for the sake of peace, had it not been such a serious injustice and slur on his character. Given the zeal and personal attention with which he has carried out his duties, resignation would be both dishonourable to himself and injurious to the future management of the workhouse. He requests the Board's support. Annotated: by Sir John Walsham [Sir John James Walsham, Inspector] [two copies, one in Walsh's hand-writing and the other a transcript]: the Board should decline to offer Barlow any advice. While he has unusual qualifications for his role, his temper, lack of tact and unpleasantness of manner have led to quarrels with officers, the porter and nurses, and indisposed the guardians towards him. He has often accused the guardians of not supporting him, and threatened to leave, and things now appear to have irretrievably broken down. The best solution would be for Barlow, an admirable officer notwithstanding an 'ultra-military notion of discipline', to resign, but without any discredit being attached to him. Paper Number: 42400/1850. Poor Law Union Number 167. Counties: Hertfordshire and Essex. |
| Held by | The National Archives, Kew |
| Legal status | Public Record(s) |
| Language |
English |
| Closure Status | Open Document, Open Description |
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Local Government Board and predecessors: Correspondence with Poor Law Unions and...
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