Ancestry UK

Workhouse Life

BYE-LAWS
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
BreakfastDinnerSupper
SundayBread and butterBoiled beef*.Potatoes
MondayDittoPease, with the beef liquorBread and butter
TuesdayDittoBread and butterDitto
WednesdayDittoFresh beef soupPotatoes
ThursdayDittoBread and butter, or baked puddingBread and butter
FridayDittoPotatoes, or green pease, or beans, with fat bacon, or pork, not exceeding 50lbs.Ditto
SaturdayDittoRice-milkDitto

* 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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