3rd Feb 1928 - Buntingford Board of Guardians

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Buntingford Board of Guardians

Monthly Meeting

The monthly meeting of the Buntingford Board of Guardians was held at the Board Room on Thursday (yesterday).

Present: Mr C. Hummerstone (in the chair), Mr F.B. Cannon (Vice-Chairman), Mrs Dimsdale, Captain H.H. Williams, Messrs. H.C. Marshall, C. Fraser, H.S. Ward, A.W. Page, T.J. Stick, A.J. Hayes, G.C. Wilson, and W.J. May, with the Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke), the Master (Mr F.W. Butler), and the Relieving Officer (Mr H.H. Macklin).

MASTER'S REPORT

The Master presented his monthly report, which was as follows: Number of inmages - men 26, women 18. Casuals admitted - men 77, women 5, children 2. During the month 5 males were admitted, and 2 males and 1 female discharged.

CASUALS

Since the last meeting 310 casuals have been admitted, against 174 for the corresponding period last year.

VISITORS

On January 30th, at 6.30 p.m., Mr A.J. Hayes visited the casual wards and signed the visitors book.

On January 31st, four members of the Hertford Board visited the House and signed the visitors book.

GIFT

A gift of apples has been received from Mr E.G. Thody, and much appreciated.

HOUSE COMMITTEE

The House Committee reported as following: "The House Committee visited the House and found all the inmates comfortable and happy. We recommend the estimate for painting the walls of the chapel be accepted, also that the existing fireplace be removed and a radiator installed. With regard to the ironing room, we recommend the flue be covered by wire netting as recommended by the fire insurance inspector."

RELIEVING OFFICER

The question of the appointment of a Relieving Officer in succession to Mr H. Macklin, whose retiremeny dated as from 31st January, 1928, was discussed.

The Chairman read the Sub-Committee's report, and said that although the Committee had put forward certain suggestions he wished to make it quite clear that they were prepared to fall in with any suggestions of the Board, including advertising the post.

Mr Hayes proposed that the post be advertised, and this was seconded by Capt. Williams, and carried.

TENDERS

Three tenders were received for the provision of a bath at the Institution hospital, the tenders being as follows:

Mr G Handy - £5 18s. 0d.

Mr C.H. Poulton - £6 19s. 0d.

Messrs J. Hamilton - £7 4s. 6d.

It was agreed to accept Mr Handy's tender.

FIRE INSURANCE

The Clerk read the report of the Sub-Committee appointed to go into the question of the fire insurance of the Institution, and stated that the entire building had been surveyed by the Sun Insurance Company's Surveyor, who was reporting in due course. The Clerk also reported that a cheque had been received in settlement of the claim lodged in respect of the recent outbreak of fire at the Institution.

OTHER BUSINESS

The other business was of a formal nature.

12th Oct 1928 - Buntingford Board of Guardians

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Buntingford Board of Guardians

MONTHLY MEETING

ANXIOUS FOR THE CLOSING OF CASUAL WARDS

The monthly meeting of the Buntingford Board of Guardians was held at the Board Room on Thursday (yesterday) morning, when there were present: Mr C. Hummerstone (in the chair), Mrs K.J. Dimsdale, Capt H.H. Williams, Messrs. G.C. Wilson, H. Ward, J. Russell, S. Pigg, A.J. Hayes, E.J. Marshal, G. Graves, J. Bygrave, and H.E. Dudley, with the Relieving Officer (Mr B.E. Thody), the Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke) and the Master (Mr F.W. Butler).

The House Committee reported that they had visited the wards at the Institution and found them clean and the inmates cheerful. The Committee recommended that several ceilings be white-washed, for which there was no immediate hurry. The Committee also reported that it had been impossible to solicit tenders for the alteration of windows in the dining hall as the sizes required were not standard and it would probably be necessary to cut away the brickwork, which the Committee hoped to avoid, so the matter was left in the hands of the Chairman to arrange with Mr Thody to go into the matter further.

The Master reported that during the month gifts had been received from Mrs F.R. Williams (books), Miss Davies (sponge cakes), the Rev. E. McKerr (produce from Meesden harvest festival and also from the festival at Wyddiall), Rev. W.L. Shepherd (produce from Great Hormead harvest festival), and Rev. A. Howard (grapes). 

Miss L.M. Baker brought her pupils to the Institution and they gave gifts to the inmates and also sang harvest hymns in the sick wards. The Layston Church Choir also assisted with the singing at the harvest service in the dining hall on Sunday evening last. The Master had written to the kindly donors thanking them on behalf of the Board. 

Since the last meeting 494 casuals had been admitted against 257 for the corresponding period last year. The number was made up as follows - First week 101, second week 117, third week 147, fourth week 129. The accommodation was sufficient.

Mrs Dimsdale pointed out that the casual wards at Hatfield and other unions were closed, and this naturally made more seek admission at Buntingford Union. She did not think it was fair for a small union like Buntingford to have to relieve the large number of casuals when the casual wards of much larger unions were closed.

It was resolved that the Clerk enquire into the matter, with a view to obtaining sanction for the closing of the casual wards here.

The Board dealt with several relief cases and issued instructions to the Relieving Officer.

Among the correspondance was a circular from the Ministry of Health authorising the discontinuance of the examination of casuals; and a resolution from the Cockermouth Union with reference to unemployment, which the Board left on the table.