2nd March 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 morning, when there were present Mr C. Hummerstone (in the chair), Messrs. F.B. Cannon (Vice-Chairman), Claud Fraser, W.J. May, G. Graves, A.J. Hayes, T.J. Stick, H.H. Williams, A.W. Page, and G.C. Wilson, with the Master (Mr F.B. Butler), the Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke), and the Relieving Officer (Mr H.H. Macklin).

Master's Report

The Master presented his monthly report, which showed that 2 inmates had been admitted, 2 discharged, and one had died. The number now in the Institution was 45.

During the month 388 casuals had been admitted, against 189 for the corresponding period last year.

The Master reported that the copper in the laundry was worn out, and a new one was needed.

The Rev. Howard is holding a service at the Institution on Sunday next, and the Master asked for sanction to purchase some chairs and hassocks, which a tradesman is willing to supply at cost price.

The Master also reported the receipt of the following gifts: Books from Mrs Brian Laing and Mrs Clark, and cakes from Miss Lushington and the secretary of the Buntingford Football Club.

House Committee Report

The House Committee reported that they had considered the suggestion of furnishing one of the rooms as a chapel, but had left the matter over for a month.

A new copper was essential in the wash-house, as also was a wire cage for the stove and pipe, which had been recommended by the Insurance Company.

The Committee also stated that the milk supplied to the Institution had not been of a good quality, and the sanitary inspector had submitted a report thereon.

The patients in the hospital and the inmates of the House were visited, and found to be comfortable and proceeding satisfactorily.

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The Chairman said he was sure the Board was very grateful to those who had sent gifts to the Institution.

With regard to the equipping of a room for the religious services, the matter was left in Mr Thody's hands to enable him to find out that amount of money would be required to meet the cost. The Board thought £5 or £6 would pay for the chairs and hassocks.

Mr Hayes asked whether it would not be possible to use the chairs of other rooms, but the Master replied the only ones available were those in the Board Room, and he thought some difficulty would be experienced in carrying the chairs about.

A tender for the provision of a new copper was received, but it was agreed to invite other tenders before carrying out the work.

The Clerk read Mr Thody's report of his inspection of the milk supplied to the Institution, in which he stated the reason for the milk turning sour was lack of cleanliness. The Contractor (Mr Smith) sent a letter to the Board, stating that he could not understand what caused the milk to curdle in so short a time.

Mr Page said that new milk supplied at 5 o'clock in the evening should remain fresh for twenty-four hours, and the Clerk was instructed to write to Mr Smith.

Relief

Several cases were dealt with, and instructions issued.

Appointment of Relieving Officers

The Clerk read a letter from the Ministry of Health, stating that the Ministry had assented to the appointment of Mr B.E. Thody as successor to Mr Macklin.

The Clerk also read a letter from the Ministry agreeing to allow two years to be added to the late Relieving Officer's actual years of service for the purposes of superannuation.

The Clerk read copies of resolutions which had been passed by other unions in the country.

Estimates

The Clerk presented his estimates for the half-year ending 30th September, from which is appeared that the amount required for Common Fund Charges would be £2144, as against £2073 for the corresponding period last year.

The Clerk stated that the increase was accounted for by the increased cost of in-maintenance due to the large number of casuals.

A Guardian's Resignation

A letter was read from Capt. E.T. Morris, tendering his resignation as a Guardian and Rural District Councillor. 

Capt. Morris stated that his other engagements did not allow him to attend the meetings, and he sincerely thanked the members of the Board and their officers for the help they had given him in the past.

The Chairman, in moving that a letter be sent Capt. Morris expressing the Board's regret at his resignation, said Capt. Morris had done a great amount of work in the past and his services would be greatly missed.

Capt. Williams, the Chairman of the Rural District Council, endorsed Mr Hummerstone's remarks, and this concluded the business.

28th December 1928 - Festivities at the Poor Law Institution

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Festivities at the Poor Law Institution

Through the untiring efforts of the Master and Matron (Mr and Mrs F.W. Butler), who neglect nothing that will prevent the inmates from spending a merry Christmas, and to the generosity of many kindly donors, all the inmates spent a happy time in the Institution one of the happiest in the real sense of the adjective.

On the 16th inst. Miss E.N. Davies sent sponge sandwiches for tea.

On the 18th inst. Miss Lushington provided cake for tea and distributed sweets and tobacco, for which, one leaving, she was loudly cheered.

On the same day Miss Baker took her pupils to the sick wards, where they sang carols, and these were greatly appreciated by the sick inmates.

On the 21st inst. the Rev. and Miss Shepherd, of Great Hormead, visited the wards, and left parcels for the inmates from that parish.

The wards and dining hall had been tastefully decorated by the staff with evergreens and paper chains, which gave a festive appearance. Breakfast on Christmas Day consisted of ham, and each inmate received a new shilling as a gift from Mr Claud Fraser, a member of the Board of Guardians. Parcels and other gifts were handed round, the kindly donors of which are below mentioned.

For dinner there was a liberal supply of roast beef, roast pork, chicken, parsnips and potatoes, plum pudding, ale and minerals, and after Grace had been said by Rev. A. Howard, Hon. Chaplain to the Institution, the inmates did full justice to these viands, and ate and drank to their hearts' content. The Master was assisted with the carving by Mr B. Thody (Relieving Officer), Mr H.H. Macklin, Mr W. Bonness and Mr F.J. Butler. Mr H.C. Marshall, another Guardian, provided nuts and fruit for dessert.

During the meal the Misses Olive and Marion Macklin rendered pianoforte selections, and visitors to the wards included Mrs A. Dixon, Dr., Mrs and Miss Fell and Master S. Howard. Capt. and Mrs H.H. Williams provided iced and fruit cake for tea, and also distributed sweets. Cheers by the inmates followed, and in replying Mrs Williams wished all a happy time. She also referred to the King's health, and afterwards all sang the National Anthem.

In the evening an entertainment was held, the inmates being chief performers. The Matron and Master R. Butler were at the piano.

It is impossible to single out any performer, as all showed fine talent for the music hall. Sweets, nuts, cake and tobacco were again handed round, also coffee and ale, and all went well until 10 p.m., when the merry day was brought to a close.

The Master called for cheers for the Guardians and other kind donors of gifts, and cheers were also given, with musical honours, for the Master, Matron and staff. The National Anthem followed.

The following are gifts, together with the kindly donors, besides those already mentioned:

Mr F.B. Cannon (Vice-Chairman of the Guardians), 10s;

Hertford Board of Guardians - per Dimsdale Fund - 3/- each Hertford inmate;

Mrs and Mr E.C. Clarke (Clerk to the Guardians), sweets and tobacco;

Miss Lushington, Christmas cards;

Mrs A. Dixon, parcels for women, tobacco for men;

Mrs Goode, parcels for Cottered women;

Mrs Fell, sweets for sick women;

Mrs F.R. Williams (Standon), biscuits for sick women;

Miss E.N. Davies, sweets for inmates and casuals;

Messrs. Moss & Sons - per Mr Daniels - bon-bons;

Mr and Mrs A.G. Day, bon-bons;

Mrs Joobins (Reigate), Xmas greetings;

Mrs H. Clarke (Newtown), books;

Mrs Wheeler (Ware), books;

Captain Salvation Army, books;

National Institute for Blind - per Mrs Scarborough Taylor - parcel of groceries, sweets, &c.

28th December 1928 - Sausage Dinner to Inmates of Poor Law Institution

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Sausage Dinner to Inmates of Poor Law Institution

On enquiries we find that the Master has not been approached in this matter.

It will be remembered that the late Mrs F.J. Robinson, until her death, followed the custom of her husband and provided the dinner which has been held for upwards of 35 years.

Might we suggest that one of our local philanthropists will come forward and keep the ball rolling so the inmates may continue to enjoy this long-looked-for treat.

6th August 1926 - Inquest at the Poor Law Institution

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Inquest at the Poor Law Institution

The District Coroner (H.F.J. Banham, Esq.) held an inquest, without a jury, at the Poor Law Institution on Saturday, July 30th, touching the death of Walter Benstead, 60 years of age, a labourer, who died as the result of a fall whilst window cleaning.

Stephen Baker, labourer, of Buntingford, stated: "I lived with Walter Benstead for about eight months. I have known him 20 years. He has an uncle in Buntingford, who is his nearest relative. I saw him in the morning before he went to work, and soon after he was brought home by Mr Postle. I have known him to be giddy at times. He would not see a doctor. The body I saw in the mortuary is that of Walter Benstead."

Mr Harry Postle, dairyman, of Salisbury House, Buntingford, stated: "Deceased has been in my employ for about seven years, doing odd jobs about the place. On Saturday last in the afternoon he was cleaning windows, which he has done several times before. My house is in the main street. He used a 20 round ladder with a 56lb weight at the foot to keep it from slipping.

I saw him at 11 o'clock when I gave him a pint of beer. He was quite sober. I saw him again about 4.30 p.m., when my brother brought deceased to me in the yard. He was being carried. His faced was grazed and his right-hand knuckles were bleeding. I bathed his face with cold water, gave him some tea and sent for the doctor. Dr Dixon came at once. Deceased soon came round and told the doctor he came over giddy. Deceased then walked round and went home with assistance."

Frank Postle, brother of the last witness, stated: "I was sweeping up the front near the deceased. I saw the ladder slip on one side - the weight was at the bottom of the ladder. As the ladder came down the weight remained in an upright position at the bottom, but was pushed out into the gutter with the ladder. Deceased came down and hit his head on the doorstep. When I saw him he was about 10ft. from the ground cleaning the window over the porch. His pail and clothes were on the porch. He came down the side of the door post rather sharp."

Mrs Julia Conyard, of Buntingford, stated: "I was standing in the High Street near Mr Postle's house on the opposite side of the street. I knew deceased. I saw him up the ladder; his pail was on the verandah. I saw the ladder slip out. There was a weight at the bottom. The ladder came down straight. Deceased fell upon his face and struck the doorstep. He came down with the ladder."

Mrs Ethel Milton, of Buntingford, stated: "I saw Benstead on the top of the ladder. I saw the ladder slipper - the foot into the road. Deceased was coming down with the ladder. He fell and struck his face on the doorstep. I saw the weight at the bottom of the ladder. It had rolled over on to its side."

Dr Richard Wm. Fell, Medical Officer at the Institution, stated: "I saw deceased on Sunday after he had been admitted. He was unconscious. He roused a little when spoken to. He had a slight abrasion on the nose and bruise on his right arm. The left side of the face was paralysed. He had a strong pulse.

There was every evidence of a cerebral haemorrhage. The caused would be a diseased artery of the brain. It would not required any violence to bring on the haemorrhage, probably carrying the pail up the ladder would be sufficient exertion to cause it. There was no injury to the body of any importance. The paralysis of the face was characteristic of cerebral haemmorhage."

The Coroner summed up after inspecting the weight, and stated that the evidence was not conclusive as to whether the ladder slipped and caused deceased to fall, or whether he pushed the ladder away and then fell. He would return a verdict of "Death by Misadventure."