Workhouse Life
BYE-LAWS
FOR THE
REGULATION & GOVERNMENT
OF THE
HOUSE OF INDUSTRY,
IN THE
ISLE OF WIGHT.
________
NEWPORT:
PRINTED BY JOHN ALBIN
________
MDCCXCII.
________
FOR THE
REGULATION & GOVERNMENT
OF THE
HOUSE OF INDUSTRY,
IN THE
ISLE OF WIGHT.
________
NEWPORT:
PRINTED BY JOHN ALBIN
________
MDCCXCII.
________
I.
THAT all poor persons, single or married,
without families, who are unable to maintain
themselves, be taken into the house, and not
supported out of it by any settled allowance or
pension.
II.
That all poor persons, whose families are too
large to be maintained by their own labour, may
offer one or more of their children to he received
into the house, at the discretion of the weekly
committee.
III.
That orders for admission into the house be
made by a committee only; except in casualties,
or sudden illness subsequent to the last committee,
when an immediate admittance may, be necessary:
in such cases (and in such only), two directors,
or acting guardians, may give an order for
the rune on any other day; as may the surgeon
alone, in cases which happen in the night; with
the further exception, that persons sent by order
of removal, or by a vagrant pals, be immediately
received, without any other authority; but
that the persons thus admitted be reported to
the next committee.
IV.
That poor persons received into the house,
for temporary relief only, shall not be deprived
of their household goods, furniture or other property.
But such wearing apparel, and other
goods, as any pauper may bring into the house,
shall be deemed and taken to be the property of
the guardians of the poor, during the time such
person shall be maintained in the house.
V.
That pensions may he granted by a quarterly
meeting — but in extraordinary cases only; such
as blindness, lunacy, epilepsy, and the like; in
which, admission into the house may be judged
improper; provided, that an examination be
previously taken on oath, respecting the place of
the the pauper's settlement, and the inability of
himself, and such of his relations as are compellable
by law to maintain him: provided also, that
nothing herein contained be construed to make
void any pension already granted; but that the
same be continued and renewed, unless such
pensioners appear, on a similar examination, to
be improper objects of relief from any parish
within the island.
VI.
That a weekly committee may grant to the
use of any poor labourer's wife, on the birth of
a fourth, fifth, or sixth child, the respective sums
of five shillings, seven shillings and sixpence, or
ten shillings and sixpence, according as he may
then have living, four, five, or six children,
under fourteen years of age; but, that five
shillings thereof be applied, by the overseer, to
the payment of the midwife.
VII.
That one churchwarden, or overseer of the
poor, of every parish, be obliged to apply to the
weekly committee on every sitting, either in
person, or by a director, or acting guardian, and
to report (after due enquiry made by himself, at
the respective dwellings or the poor) the number
and ages of the family, and other circumstances,
including the place of settlement, as well as the
illness of all persons in his parish, who may ask
for, and stand in need of, relief, under the penalty
of any sum, not less than forty shillings and
not exceeding five pounds, as directed by the
act; but that relief may be granted to any pauper,
who may be in the same manner reported
by the surgeon, a director, or acting guardian.
VIII.
That in case of an application wherein the
preceding regulation hath not been adhered
to, the committee, if it see proper, may entrust
a director, or acting guardian, or the surgeon,
with an order of relief, to be delivered, or not,
to the pauper, according as the person, thus entrusted,
may find the circumstances of the case;
or the committee may order the surgeon, or
parish-officer, to visit the said pauper, and to
make a report, as before required, to the next
committee, which may then give relief from the
time of the first application .
IX.
That when any poor person, by casualty, or
sudden illness, subsequent to the last holden
committee, may stand in need of immediate relief,
before application can be made to the next
ensuing; a director, or acting guardian, on the
knowledge of the fact and necessity of the case,
may recommend such person to the care of the
surgeon, (which may likewise be done in all cases
of sickness among the poor, though no pecuniary
relief be applied for) and may, where necessary, order, in writing, a reasonable sum, not
exceeding the usual earnings of the sick person,
after the rate of one shilling a day for a man, and
for others in proportion, as a temporary support
till the next weekly committee; to which
the overseer of the respective parish must in
person report the circumstances, and receive
directions for the farther relief of the pauper;
and (to be entitled to the allowance of the sum
ordered all the settling of his accounts) must, at
the same time, return the said order for confirmation,
by being signed by the chairman.
X.
That all casual poor, relieved by the order of
a director, or acting guardian, shall, on the report
of the surgeon at the next weekly committee,
be ordered into the house, or relieved out
of it, as shall appear expedient for the health of
the patient.
XI.
That the weekly committee, on application of
an overseer, may grant monthly relief out of the
house to the families of men impressed into the
sea-service, during their continuance as impressed
men, not exceeding the sum of one shilling
and sixpence a week, for two children under the
age of ten years; the sum of two shillings a
week, for three such children; and the sum of
three shillings a week, for four such; to be paid
weekly by the respective overseers, who are required
to stop payment on the death or discharge
of any such man, and report the state of the
family to the next weekly committee; and that
this proportion of relief be adopted in all similar
cases.
XII.
That when it shall appear to a weekly committee
that labour in husbandry cannot be obtained
at the usual wages, on account of a general
existing scarcity of work, the committee
may order any reasonable sum, not exceeding
one fourth of the real earnings of such labourers,
employed by its consent, to be paid by overseers
to the different persons employing them, so that
such earnings do not exceed six shillings a week
for each man, and so in proportion for others.
And when such earnings do necessarily fall short
of six shillings a week, merely on account of the
unseasonableness of the weather (as in deep snow
or hard frosts), the deficiency may be made up to
that sum, for a man who has a family to maintain.
XIII.
That a sum, not exceeding ten pounds in any
one year, be laid out in purchasing spinning wheels,
cards, and such like implements of
work, for the use of the industrious poor
women and children; which, after being marked
"HOUSE OF INDUSTRY," may be lent or given them, at the discretion of the weekly committee; and that work in spinning, knitting, &c. shall be supplied from the house, by an order
from the said committee, to all persons of the
above description, who may not be able to procure
any such work elsewhere:.
XIV.
That servants, who are legally entitled to a
maintenance from their masters during an illness,
shall not be received on any terms into the
house; nor be relieved in money during the term
any such service may legally continue.
XV.
That in case any doubt shall arise, whether
the settlement of any pauper, applying for
relief, be in the island, such pauper shall be immediately taken before two justices, to be examined, in order to be removed, if the settlement appear to be elsewhere.
XVI.
That a book be kept, in which shall be made
an entry of the admission of every pauper into
the house, expressing his or her name — age — .
place to which he or she belongs the reason of
his or her admission by whom sent and certified,
and the day when admitted; with blank
columns, to be filled up with the time and manner
of such pauper's discharge; which book
shall be produced to every weekly committee,
and signed by the chairman.
XVII.
That the relations and friends of paupers,
maintained in the house, be permitted to see
them at proper times, upon producing a note
from a director, acting guardian, or parish-officer, to the governor or matron.
XVIII.
That the poor in the house shall at all times
demean themselves peaceably and quietly; — shall
not swear, curse, quarrel or give rude language, nor be guilty of any uncivil or indecent behaviour; — shall not refuse or neglect to execute
the work or service they may be required to perform,
nor be remiss therein (such work and service
being suited to their strength and ability),
on pain of losing their next meal, for the first
offence; and for every repeated offence, such
other punishment, within the direction of the
Act of Incorporation, as the weekly committee
shall chuse to inflict.
XIX.
That no person shall strike, or abuse, the
governor, or matron, or their assistants, but
shall at all times obey their lawful commands; — and
if any of the poor shall think. themselves
aggrieved by the governor, or other officers of
the house, they are to make their complaints to
the weekly committee: But if any perron shall
strike, or abuse, the governor, or matron, or
their assistants; or shall, after admonition. or
correction by the weekly committee, continue
disobedient, or refuse to work, the governor
shall immediately carry such offender before
one of his Majesty's justices of the peace for the
county of Southampton, acting for the division
of the Isle of Wight, to be dealt with according
to law.
XX.
That every single woman, becoming chargable
to this corporation the second time, on
account of bastardy, shall be carried before two
justices of the peace, to be dealt with according
to law; and that all such women in the house
(except those, who are employed in the hard
work of the house, and those who have been
punished as aforesaid), as well as all other persons,
who, by reason of their own criminality or
misconduct, are there kept and maintained, shall
be placed in separate apartments from the other
poor, provided for that purpose, — shall have
their names entered in the black book, — shall be
allowed no solid meat on meat-days, and wear
coarse yellow coats or gowns, or other disgraceful
distinctions, at the discretion of the weekly committee.
XXI.
That, for the encouragement of those paupers
who shall discharge the business to which they
may be appointed, with care and diligence, rewards
shall be given them from time to time, at
the discretion of the quarterly committee.
XXII.
That no poor person in the house shall ask
alms — but a box shall be provided, and fixed in
some place to be appointed by the directors and
acting guardians, for occasional donations; to
which there shall be two locks, and the key of
one of them shall be kept by the governor, and
the other by the clerk for the time being; and
the money put into the box, shall be at the disposal of the committee.
XXIII.
That the men and boys shall apply to the
governor, for leave of temporary absence from
the house; and the women and girls, to the
matron, for the same purpose.
XXIV.
That the governor shall, in no case, place any
pauper in the wards, without previous careful
examination, and washing; and (if it be thought
necessary by the weekly committee) new clothing;
— and, in that case, the governor shall cause
the old clothes to be well cleansed; and, if there
be a probability that such pauper may be discharged
from the house, his old clothes shall be
kept, in order to be delivered to him, on his
discharge, in exchange for the clothes supplied
by the house.
XXV.
That the governor shall see the meat, flour,
and other articles, weighed and measured, and
keep an account of the quantity and price
thereof: — shall give an account every Saturday
to the committee, of all provisions, and other
stores, brought in, used, and expended, the
week preceding — likewise of all work done in
the house; and make his complaint, against all
persons that may have, in any respect, misbehaved.
XXVI.
That the governor shall make, or cause to be
made, all the entries into his weekly book of
provisions, with all possible exactness; specifying,
in a marginal note, the prices of such as
are not contracted for, and marking, as such,
the produce of the corporation's land; and that
no provisions, beyond what have been actually
consumed, shall be entered in the weekly book,
under the article of expenditure. He shall also
punctually insert in a book, to be used as a daybook,
all articles brought into the house, every
day as they are brought in; the said articles to
be regularly posted every week in the ledger, to
be produced, with the several bills, for the examination
and allowance of the weekly committee.
XXVII.
That the governor shall take care that the
outward doors be not opened before six in the
morning, and locked at eight in the evening,
from Lady-day to Michaelmas — and not opened
before eight in the morning, and locked at six
in the evening, from Michaelmas to Lady-day;
except, upon special occasions — shall lock the
door at ten o'clock every evening, with the
master-key, which is entirely entrusted to his
care; but is to open the said door for the matron
at any time before he retire to rest, and to report
the same to the next weekly committee;
and shall read prayers, or cause them to be read,
every day — in the morning, before the bell ring
FOR WORK, and in the evening, after supper.
XXVIII.
That the governor shall employ no person out
of work, but by an order of the weekly committee;
to which it is recommended rather to admit ,
into the house, than to employ under the governor
any poor man, who has no children to maintain,
and no view of any other employment.
XXIX.
That the governor shall make a monthly muster
of all the paupers in the house, and give in
his return to the first weekly committee in each
month: shall frequently exercise the paupers in
playing the fire-engine, given by Mr. Hesse,
that they may be expert in the use of it, in case
of fire: shall, once in every month, read, or
cause to be read, to the poor, the bye-laws,
rules, and orders, that none may pretend to
plead ignorance thereof; — and the same shall
be read over, yearly, at the general meeting
on the last Thursday in June, immediately after
the election of the officers of this corporation.
XXX.
That the governor be never sent out of the
island on public business, except in cases of
necessity.
XXXI.
That the matron shall deliver out the soap,
and see all the linen washed and got up, and all
the beds sheeted once a month: shall take care
that no linen be hung up to dry in any of the sick
wards: shall (as far as she and the servants of
the house are capable of teaching them) instruct
and employ such girls as are of a proper age, in
cookery, housewifery, washing, and scouring,
and other work, in order to, qualify them for
service: and shall, on the last Saturday in every
month, produce her accounts, for the examination
of the committee, and to receive the signature
of the chairman.
XXXII.
That the governor and matron, or one of
them, shall attend divine service in the chapel,
and never be both absent from the house at the
same time: they shall make ready the provisions
in a clean and wholesome manner, and see that
breakfast be ready at eight o'clock, dinner at
twelve, and supper at the time the workers leave
off work: they shall cause grace to be said before
and after meals — keep all the rooms neat and
clean ; see them swept every day — or at least
three times a week, and washed as often as they
can conveniently have it done: shall cause the
windows to be set open every day (except in
rainy weather), and suffer no victuals to be
eaten out of the dining-room by any — but the
sick, and such as officiate as servants of the
house.
XXXIII.
That the governor and matron shall cause the
children's heads and hands to be kept clean —
likewise all the clothes and beds: shall deliver
to everyone of the poor, clean linen on every
Saturday evening, and take in their foul every
Sunday morning: shall see all the poor to bed by
nine o'clock in summer, and by eight in the
winter: shall be careful to have all fires and
candles put out (except in the sick wards), and
suffer no person to smoke tobacco on any account,
save in the men's kitchen; and by no
means above stairs (except by an express order
of the surgeon): shall see that no candles be used
in the evenings, in the months of May, June,
July, and August, except by the governor, and
in the infirmaries: shall take special care to prevent
all persons, particularly the children, from
making waste in their provisions, or in the materials
on which they are employed to work: and
that this article be particularly attended to by
the superintendants of the different work-rooms..
XXXIV.
That the governor and matron shall not, but
by order of the surgeon, suffer any poor persons,
belonging to the house, to drink tea therein : — and
neither the governor, matron, or other
officer, shall buy or sell, or suffer any distilled
liquors to be brought into the house, without
leave of the committee; nor shall any tobacco
or tea be allowed, but to such persons for whom
the surgeon may think them necessary.
XXXV.
That the governor and matron shall execute
all bye-laws, made by the directors and acting
guardians under the authority of the act of parliament; and also such temporary orders as both
or either of them shall receive from the weekly
committee the same being first entered in the
committee-book, and attested by the clerk;
such temporary orders to continue in force, till
altered by some subsequent committee.
XXXVI.
That the chaplain shall perform divine service
every Sunday (MORNING and EVENING), according
to the established rites of the Church of
England, shall preach a sermon every Sunday
morning — shall read prayers every Wednesday
morning — and publicly administer the Sacrament
four times in every year, viz. on CHRISTMAS
and EASTER days, on WHIT or TRINITY Sunday, and the Sunday next before, or next after,
MICHAELMAS-DAY: shall catechise the children
once a month — visit the sick — and perform all
other occasional duties of his function.
XXXVII.
That the same person shall act as surgeon,
apothecary, and man-midwife: shall by himself
(or occasionally by a deputy, approved of by a
quarterly meeting) duly attend, and administer
proper medicines to all such persons in the house,
and such poor out of the house, as a committee,
a director, or acting guardian, may recommend
to his care; and shall make a report (noted in a
book provided for that purpose) to every weekly
committee of the illness, and other circumstances,
of every such patient whom he has visited in the
course of the week: shall, when called in to any
poor woman in any difficult obstetrical case, in
which a midwife hath been ineffectually employed,
be allowed TWO GUINEAS for every such attendance;
and shall be paid TWO SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE for every patient he may inoculate and attend, by order of a committee — of
director — or of an acting guardian, in cases not
admitting of any delay.
XXXVIII.
That as often as any person shall fall sick, or
lame, in the house, notice thereof shall be given
to the surgeon: and the nurses, in whose ward
any person shall die, shall immediately acquaint
the governor therewith, who shall cause the
corpse to be carried into the proper place, and a
coffin and shroud immediately provided : — they
shall take care to deliver the apparel of persons
dying in the house to the governor; who shall
lay up the same in the wardrobe, and deliver an
account thereof to the next weekly committee.
XXXIX.
That a book shall be procured, in which the
name of any officer or servant of the house, who
shall be proved guilty of a wilful breach or neglect
of any bye-law, or order of any committee,
delivered to him in writing, shall be entered by the
committee before which such proof is made: and
that during the continuance of such entry, not
erased, such officer, or servant, shall be incapacitated
from receiving any gratuity or promotion;
and if his name shall be entered three times, and
all three entries remain unerased, such officer,
or servant, shall be discharged from his office, or
service, at any time,. at the discretion of a quarterly,
or other meeting, having a power to discharge officers and servants; but — that any such
entry, or entries, if made by a weekly committee,
may be expunged by a quarterly meeting, on
appeal — or on account of any subsequent good
behaviour, or any other circumstances arising in
favor of such officer or servant: but nothing
herein shall extend to defeat, or diminish, any
power or authority previously vested in any
committee, of discharging any officer or servant.
XL.
That only one sort of flour be served into the
house, and that from the whole meal dressed
through a 14s. cloth ; and that only one meal of
solid meat be served weekly — the other meat dinner
to be composed of meat cut into very
small pieces, the bones broken very small, and
boiled into broth, properly thickened with vegetables, &c;. and that only 150lbs. of meat be
allowed for that dinner ; but that fat pork or
bacon (to be bought in the flitch, without the
hams) may be boiled, cut into very small slices,
with pease, beans, or potatoes; for one dinner
in the week, not exceeding 50lbs. — and that the
annexed bill of fare be particularly observed;
subject, however, to such alteration, as the season
son of the year, or other circumstances, may
render expedient in the opinion of the weekly
committee.
XLI.
That the paupers, in the sick-rooms, be fed,
in every respect, in conformity to the directions
given by the surgeon; and that he be requested
to give orders for any meat, flour, or other
provision, which may be wanted for that purpose,
over and above, the usual dressings; of
which, a separate account shall be kept.
XLII.
That the officers of the house be allowed a
joint of meat, of any butcher's meat of the same
price as the meat contracted for, with a pudding,
from the flour used in the house daily; but that
a separate account of the expence of their table,
beyond the usual provisions of the house, be
kept, for the inspection of the committee: and
that the washer-women, and the two men who go
with the horses, shall be allowed a pint of ale
each a day; but no other pauper in the house
shall be entitled to ale, unless it be ordered by
the surgeon.
XLIII.
That all contractors shall deliver their goods
at the House of Industry, either by themselves or
their own servants; and all meat, flour, and other
provisions, to he used within the week, shall be
delivered before eleven o'clock on every Saturday
morning: that nothing shall be brought into
the house, without notice given to the governor,
or, in his absence, to the matron: and all
contracts, for articles amounting to twenty
pounds per quarter, shall be signed upon
stamps.
XLIV.
That, in all advertisements to tradesmen, and
others, respecting the delivering in proposals for
contracting for any kind of goods, to be used in
the house, it shall be particularly specified, that
all proposals will be rejected by the committee,
that are signed with the proposer's name, or
marked with any character, by which it may be
known from whom such proposals come — and all
committees are enjoined to reject the same: and
when one tender only shall be made, for serving
the house with any article to be contracted for — that tender shall be accepted, or rejected, at the discretion of the committee.
XLV.
That the tea for the poor sick people in the
house, shall be bought at the same place, and of
the same person, who contracts for sugar; and
shall be received by the governor, and delivered
out in like manner as the other stores.
XLVI.
That in contracts for coals, a meter shall be
employed, and paid by the corporation, for remeasuring
that article, when delivered at the
house.
XLVII.
That no person, appointed to any station in
the house, shall presume, at any time, on pain of
dismission, to take (in respect of such station) of
any tradesman, stranger, or other person, any
fee, reward, or gratuity, of any kind, directly,
or indirectly: and that if any tradesman, or other
person, having any dealing with this corporation,
shall offer or give any such fee or gratuity; or
shall serve into the house any article, different
from the contract or charge, made by him for
the same; such perron shall be peremptorily disqualified from serving the said corporation with
any kind of goods whatever.
XLVIII.
That all bye-laws, which concern the officers, &c. shall be fairly transcribed, and given to such
of them as are to carry them into execution; — and every officer of the house, not obeying the
same, shall, on conviction, be discharged.
XLIX.
That every person, who, being duly qualified..
shall be elected a director, and shall refuse to
act, shall forfeit the rum of SIX POUNDS ; — and
every guardian, refusing to act when elected an
acting guardian, shall forfeit the sum of FOUR
POUNDS — unless reasonable cause shall be shewn
and allowed by the majority of the directors and
acting guardians, present at the next general
quarterly meeting after such election.
L.
That if there shall not be present two directors
and three acting guardians at any weekly committee,
each director of that month not being
present, shall forfeit TWENTY SHILLINGS — and
every such acting guardian, TEN SHILLINGS
LI.
That a chairman be chosen, by every committee,
to preside and regulate the proceedings;
and every member of any committee, who shall
not appear in the committee-room within half an
hour of the time appointed for their meeting,
shall, if a director, forfeit FOUR. SHILLINGS — if an acting guardian, TWO SHILLINGS — in case
such default shall delay the proceeding to business:
and no member (under the same penalty)
shall leave the committee while sitting, without
leave of the chairman — and on no account, if
there be not a sufficient number of members remaining
to constitute a committee.
LII.
That two or more members of the weekly
committee, shall visit the house every Saturday,
and inform themselves whether the governor,
matron, surgeon, and the rest of the officers and
servants have behaved conformable to the rules
of this corporation — whether the rooms, bedding,
&c. be kept clean — whether the meat,
and other provisions brought into the house be
wholesome and agreeable to the contract — whether there be any infectious disorder in the house — and whether the poor want necessary clothing,
&c. or have any just matter of complaint — and
shall make report of such things as they think fit,
which shall be entered in the committee-book:
and the said weekly committee shall, once in
every month, give directions for the quantity of
meat to be brought into the house for the use of
the paupers: shall have a bill of fare laid before
it the first week in every month, to be signed by
the chairman; and that one or more members
shall see the meat weighed, and report the weight
and quality thereof to the rest of the committee.
LIII.
That the chairman of every weekly committee
shall, as often as there may be cause, make complaint
to some magistrate, against such overseers
as may neglect to visit and appear at the House of
Industry, in behalf of any poor person applying
for, and standing in need of, relief: and that the several penalties on directors and acting
guardians, as well as those on churchwardens,
and other persons liable thereto, shall be impartially
sued for by the respective committees.
LIV.
That one director and one acting guardian of the
committee of the preceding month, shall attend
the two first meetings of the next month, to explain
the proceedings of the last to the sitting
committee, and otherwise assist it as far as they
are able; and that the acting guardian to attend
such meetings, shall be determined by ballot
among the five acting guardians of the same
committee; and that the directors, and such
acting guardians so to be chosen by ballot, not
attending, shall be subject to the same penalties
as are now in force (by virtue of the act of parliament
or any bye-law), for non-attendance on
a weekly committee: that no weekly committee
shall be permitted to break up before one o'clock — and that this order be fixed up, over the chimney-piece, in the committee-room.
LV.
That a book shall, at all times, lie open in the
committee-room, with pen and ink at hand; that
in case any director, or guardian, or other persons,
visiting the house occasionally shall perceive any thing improper, or can suggest any thing for the benefit of the institution, they may write their thoughts or observations therein, that the weekly committee may consider the same,
and make report (if it see proper) to the next
meeting, to he held for the purpose of making
bye-laws.
LVI.
That if the directors and acting guardians:
shall refuse or neglect: to hold any annual or
quarterly meeting; every director or acting
guardian, failing in his duty in this respect (if
in the island), shall forfeit the sum of forty
shillings.
LVII.
That on the Saturday immediately preceding
every quarterly meeting, the directors and acting
guardians of the poor for that quarter, shall, on
notice to be given them by the secretary, take a
survey of the several paupers in the house; and
such persons as appear to be improper objects,
shall (at their own option) either be discharged
from the house, or allowed only so much provision
as they earn; and that every such survey
shall be returned in writing (signed by the
chairman) to the next quarterly meeting: and all
persons so discharged, and not quitting the house
accordingly — or returning without such cause
as shall be approved by the weekly committee
— shall be immediately set to hard labour, and
have nothing allowed for their support and
maintenance beyond their own earnings.
LVIII.
That the committee shall, every year, cause a
new inventory of all the goods and furniture in
the house to be taken, and laid before it on the
last Thursday in June, and shall then compare
such inventory with that of the preceding year.
LIX.
That every quarterly committee of accounts
shall examine into all the accounts of the preceding
quarter, and shall prepare them for
publication, and after they have thoroughly
examined them, they shall let their hands to the
same; and the separate articles of the incidental
expences, paid by the governor, shall be entered
in the quarterly account-book, in the same
manner as the bills, &c. and no bills or salaries
of officers shall be paid by the treasurer, till a
printed order be produced, signed by the
chairman of the committee of accounts.
LX.
That any subscriber to the county hospital,
who shall send thither a pauper belonging to any
parish in the isle of Wight, shall be repaid by any
weekly committee all necessary charges thereby
incurred.
LXI.
That any sum, not exceeding TWELVE SHILLINGS, may be allowed for the burial of any
poor person dying out of the house, on application
being made to the next weekly committee,
or to a magistrate — on oath, that the deceased did
not leave effects sufficient for defraying funeral
expences; but that nothing shall be allowed when
the person is not buried at the sole expence of
the corporation, and in the usual manner of such
paupers; of which the officiating clergyman is
desired to give a certificate.
LXII.
That the directors and acting guardians will
enforce the laws against all offenders, who, by
begging from door to door, in streets or highways,
may make themselves liable as idle disorderly
persons (by 17th GEO. II.) — to be committed
to the house of correction, there to be kept
to hard labour for the space of one month: — and
will cause information to be made against all
persons as liable to the same penalties, under the
act for establishing this corporation, who shall
order, or knowingly suffer, their children to
seek a maintenance by begging from door to
door, in streets or highways, under the pretence
of opening gates, or any other whatsoever — such
children being too young to be legally punished
in their own persons.
LXIII.
That the churchwardens and overseers of the
poor, and the surveyors of the highways, of every
parish, shall assist the directors and acting guardians
in procuring work for,) and in employing,
labourers out of employ (and capable of working
on the highways, and elsewhere), for the wages
they may earn, according as such churchwardens
and overseers may be respectively required so to
do, by all order of a weekly committee; and that
for this purpose they shall, on an order to them
given by a weekly committee, call a vestry on the
next Sunday, not only to enquire into the cause
of such labourers being out of employ — but into
the best means of employing them on the highways,
or elsewhere, according to the particular
season of the year, and the state and condition of
the highways; and that the said churchwardens
or overseers of the poor, or one of them, shall
make a report to the next weekly committee,
subsequent to the said vestry, of all the proceedings
had in consequence of such orders — and in
particular, how far the surveyors have obeyed
the same, in employing such poor on the highways,
or for the use thereof — such surveyors
being liable, as parish officers, to the penalty of
FIVE POUNDS, for disobeying such reasonable
orders — if the said labourers become chargeable
to the guardians of the poor, for want of employment.
LXIV.
That no churchwarden, or overseer of the
poor, who may be sent to convey paupers to
their places of settlement, or on any other business
out of the isle of Wight, on the part of the
House of Industry, shall be allowed more than
ONE SHILLING for breakfast, TWO SHILLINGS
for dinner, and TWO SHILLINGS for supper:
that no more than one parish officer shall be paid
on any such business, unless an additional one be
ordered under the hand of the chairman of the
committee, or by the justice signing the order;
and that in all removals of paupers to their
parishes, the officers shall go on horseback, and
the paupers shall be conveyed in a cart, and have
TWO SHILLINGS each per day allowed them for
support.
LXV.
That the churchwardens, and overseers of the
poor, of every parish, on notice being sent them
three months before any ballot of children to be
put apprentices may take place (specifying the
number of apprentices to be bound in the parish,
and the day of balloting), shall call a vestry,
within a fortnight after such notice, for the purpose
of nominating proper persons (as they come
in rotation, according to the value or lands and
tenements they occupy in the parish) to receive
apprentices; and the said churchwardens and
overseers shall return to the next weekly committee, the name or names of every person or persons so nominated at such vestry, and acquaint every such person of the return made, and of the day fixed for balloting for apprentices at the
house of Industry: and that a premium of
TWENTY SHILLlNGS shall be paid to every
apprentice, at the expiration of their respective
terms — on a certificate of their good behaviour,
during the time of their apprenticeship, being
produced, and that they have entered into a
fresh service for a year.
LXVI.
That the overseers of the poor shall pay the
average rates into the hands of the treasurer
within SIX DAYS after the time required in the
warrant; * — that all defaulters in this respect shall
be immediately summoned, to shew cause why
the penalty incurred by the act should not be
levied upon them; — and that notice to this effect
shall be printed under the warrant of the average
rates.
LXVII.
That orders for the relief of the occasional
poor, and letters of recommendation of the poor
applying for relief: be printed and distributed to
the directors and acting guardians, and church
wardens and overseers of the poor, containing
directions to the said officers how to use them,
and to make returns to the weekly committee [See Appendix].
LXVIII.
That every director, or acting guardian, who
shall give any order for the relief (in money, or
by admission into the house of any pauper, contrary to the general act of parliament, or to any
bye-law existing, shall be liable to pay the sum
or sums so ordered; or the weekly expences of
such persons, thus admitted by their order.
LXIX.
That in cases of bastardy, general bonds of
indemnity shall always be required, where proper
securities can be had; but where the reputed
father cannot find a sufficient person to join with
him in such security, he shall be indulged with
placing TWENTY POUNDS in the hands of the
treasurer, as a deposit, and receive the interest
thereof as long as he shall maintain the child;
hut, if the sum of TWENTY POUNDS cannot be
obtained, any sum, not less than TEN POUNDS;
may be received as a collateral security, at the
discretion of the weekly committee, or magistrate
before whom the reputed father is brought — provided
the interest be left in the hands of the
treasurer, to accumulate and make up the sum
of TWENTY POUNDS: and that, in all cases
when money is paid as a collateral security, a
general bond of indemnity without a bondsman
shall be given — provided also that it be agreed
between all the said parties — and that it be so
expressed in the receipt, that if the reputed
father shall not well and truly perform the condition
of the said bond, but shall neglect to pay
for the maintenance of such bastard child, for
three calendar months successively, the money
thus placed in the treasurer's hands shall, from
thenceforth, be forfeited, and become the sole
property of the said guardians of the poor; and
as such, be transferable to their general account
with the treasurer, by order of any committee:
and that the said forfeiture shall not defeat the
said guardians from suing the said bond, when
they may see occasion: and that in all cases of
such deposits, if the reputed fathers do not
maintain their children agreeable to the condition
of the said bonds, and on such default an
application for relief be made to a weekly committee,
no sum exceeding ONE SHILLING a week
shall be allowed the mother towards the maintenance
of any such child — unless a larger sum be
ordered by two justices, on her appeal.
LXX.
That when it shall be found necessary to make
use of any part, or the whole, of the fund of ONE
THOUSAND POUNDS, which has been raised from
the savings of the average rates, and is vested
on bond from the treasurer, to answer any
extraordinary demands the great extent of the
buildings, and the various articles of furniture,
may require, beyond what can be spared for the
same, from the average rates in anyone year —
such sums so used, shall be re-placed from the
first savings that may be afterwards made.
LXXI.
That Rev. HENRY WORSLEY. L.L.D. THOMAS WORSLEY, and DANIEL COLLINS, Esqrs. Rev. JAMES WORSLEY, and Mr. THOMAS
COOKE, jun. (any three of them to constitute a
committee) be empowered to see that the road,
leading from Town-gate to New-bridge, be kept
in good and substantial repair by this corporation,
under an agreement, that the parish of Carisbrooke
do annually contribute five pounds towards that purpose.
LXXII.
That the gentlemen who have the management
of the farm, at the House of Industry, are desired
to lay the land down in grass as soon as it is practicable; and that no gratuity be given to any such manager, till he report a progress made therein, to the satisfaction of the quarterly meeting.
THE END.
BILL OF FARE
Breakfast | Dinner | Supper | |
---|---|---|---|
Sunday | Bread and butter | Boiled beef*. | Potatoes |
Monday | Ditto | Pease, with the beef liquor | Bread and butter |
Tuesday | Ditto | Bread and butter | Ditto |
Wednesday | Ditto | Fresh beef soup | Potatoes |
Thursday | Ditto | Bread and butter, or baked pudding | Bread and butter |
Friday | Ditto | Potatoes, or green pease, or beans, with fat bacon, or pork, not exceeding 50lbs. | Ditto |
Saturday | Ditto | Rice-milk | Ditto |
* When the beef cannot be kept sweet for a week, the Sunday's and Wednesday's dinners may be exchanged.
N.B. The sick have fresh meat and broth, with other provisions, according to the surgeon's directions — who is desired to give written orders for the same.
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