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Aberystwyth Board of Guardians.

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Aberystwyth Board of Guardians. The fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Monday at the Board Room, Union Workhouse, when there were present :-Mr Wm Morris, Cyfoeth- ybrenin (chairman), presiding; Mr Hugh Hughes (vice-chairman), Mrs W H Colby, Rev 1 A Penry, Messrs B E Morgan, T E Salmon, and Edwin Morns; John Bonner, Llanafan; John Jones, Llanbadarn Upper; James Jones, Llanbadarn Lower; William Mason, Llancynfelin; Evan Jones and David Morgan, Llanfihangel Upper; Daniel Jones, Llan- gwyryfon; Wm Davies and Daniel Morris, Llanilar; David Jones, Llanychaiarn; Joseph Parry, Melindwr; Thomas James, Trefeirig; with Hugh Hughes (clerk), E Llewellyn (assistant clerk), and W Jones (master). i An Inmate's Request.—A letter was read from P. Evans, one of the inmates, asking the Guardians to allow him to go to Sunday School, and also to have a day off now and then, as he had not been out since the first week in May last. The Master told him then not to forget that it was an exception, and he did not ask him any more as he had told him repeatedly that he was not allowed out only for an heur or two every month.—The Master said Evans was allowed out twice every Sunday—morning and evening. What he had stated in the letter was not altogether correct.—As this was regarded as a question of discipline, the matter was left in the hands of the Master. Masters Report.-Thc Master reported that the number in the House the first week of the past fort- night was 49, as compared with 63 the correspond- ing period last year; and the second week 48 as compared with 66 last year. The number of vagrants relieved during the past month was 70, as .compared with 44 the corresponding period last year. A parcel of books and periodicals for the use of the inmates had been received from Mrs Thomas, Ynys House, Llanbadarn-road. A number of the inmates had paid their annual visit to Nantceirio, where they were kindly entertained by Mrs and Miss Morgan.. Oitt-delief.-The amount of out-relief adminis- tered during the past fortnight was as follows:- Per Mr T. Vaughan, £56 2s 9d to 177 paupers per Mr J. J. Hughes, £43 15s to 152 paupers; per Mr T. Morgan, P,52 18s to 161 paupers. The New Gardeiter.-The Master asked the Board whether the new gardener, who was a local preacher, was to be allowed to leave the House on Sundays. On the previous Saturday evening be asked to be allowed to go off, as he had an engage- ment the following day at Borth.-It was remarked that perhaps the gardener had not yet had time to cancel his engagements, and the Chairman was asked to inform him that his whole time was at the disposal of the Board. Suggested Alterations.-The Rev. T. A. Penny submitted the report of the committee appointed to enquire into the alterations and additions which the Medical Officer and the Local Government Board Inspector had suggested should be carried out at the House. The committee met on the 17th inst., when there were;present Messrs B. E. Morgan, J. B. Morgan, Edwin Morris, G. Fossett Roberts, and Rev. T. A. Penry. After careful consideration the following recommendations were agreed upon: I.-That the sick wards and dormitories be better ventilated. 2 —That bathrooms be erected in con- nection with each of the sick wards, and that the present w.c's. be removed and reconstructed with due regard to sanitation-their present position being unsatisfactory 3.-That a convalescent room be provided by building over the waiiing-room. 4.—That receiving wards (with sleeping accommo- dation) be erected on the plot of land adjoining the waiting-room, and that another convalescent room be provided above same. 5.-That the stone- breaking cells be removed and new ones be erected at the back of the house. 6.-That a new bath be provided for the casual wards. 7.-That the casual wards be better lighted and ventilated. 8.—That the women's day room (at the south end of the cor- ridor) be converted into a store room, provided with shelves, etc., for the supply of clothing. 9.— That the cooking arrangements in the outer kitchen be reconstructed.—The Rev. T. A. Penry said the Committee was unanimous except on one point,and that was the construction of an additional con- valescent room over the receiving ward. Some thought that if receiving wards were to be erected at all, that the opportunity be taken to erect an additional convalescent room for the men as well. There was a room at the lower end of the house that could easily be converted into a convalescent room, but it would be inconvenient for the nurse, who would have to walk continually from one end of the house to the other. That, probably, would raise the cry at some future time for an additional nurse. All the committee were agreed that it was better to have all the sick at the same end of the house.-The Clerk said it would be necessary to get the sanction of the Local Government Board to the alterations. He sug- gested that the proposals be submitted to Mr Bircham, inasmuch as he bad interested himself in the matter. This would also save the necessity of drawing up another set of plans, which might be rejected.—Rev T A Penry said they had already had two sets of plans drawn up.—Mr BE Morgan: Are we bound to follow Mr Bircbam's recommenda- tions.—The Clerk The Local Government Board always consult their inspector.—Mr Salmon said it was a well known fact that they wanted a convale- scent room in the house, and the sooner they got it the better. As the Board had decided not to dis- pose of this building, he thought they would have to incur this expense. He proposed that the matter be placed on the agenda of the next meet- ing.—Mr John Jones suggested that Mr Bircham be asked to meet the committee t" consider the recommendations.—The Master said the last time Mr Bircham was at the House, he expressed himself Willing to meet the committee, and to'belp them in the matter.—It was decided that the Clerk write to Mr Bircham, asking him to meet the com- mitteee. Out Relief or the House.—Daring the con- sideration of relief cases in the Aberystwyth dis- trict, a case which had been adjourned from the previous meeting was again mentioned. It was one in which two women, one forty two, and the other fifty-two, applied for an increase of relief. One had been bed-ridden for about twenty years, and she was stated to have been described by the Medical Officer as an imbecile. She had been, it appears, receiving 5s a week, and bad been in Teceipt of relief for many years past. The other woman was taken ill about 12 months ago, and was given 2s 6d out-relief. They then, while keeping on their house at Penparke, moved to Aberystwytb to the house of an aunt, who was stated to be an experienced nurse, in order that one of the women might attend at the Infirm- ary to undergo an operation, which, it appears, had been satisfactorily performed, and the two women were now living with their aunt. An application was now made on their behalf for an increase of their out-relief.-The Rev T. A. Penry and Mr James Jenes thought the women should be asked to come into the House.—Mr Hugh Hughes. however, strongly supported the giving of increased out- relief. These women had hitherto been kept out of the house. They should have some consideration for the paupers under their charge, and not treat them like dogs.—Mr Salmon, speaking in Welsh, was also opposed to the women being forced into the house. If the woman had been bed-ridden in her own house for twenty years, he was sure she would not live twelve months in the Workhouse.— Mr David Jones and Mr John Jones deprecated the remarks of Mr Salmon. The treatment which invalids would get in the House would be better than what they could get in their own homes in most cases. If the guardians themselves did not speak respectfully of the House, how could they expect outsiders to do so.—Mr Salmon said he would repeat in English that most of the people who were forced to come to the House never went out alive. He ventured to say that if this woman who Vimi been bed-ridden twenty years, was brought to the House, and made to comply with the regula- tions of the House, she would not live for twelve months. He aid not wish to say anything dis- respectful of the attendance given at the House, but having to live under new conditions broke these poor people's hearts and they were not used to confinement.—The Chairman: But the confinement won't hurt them very much.—Mr Salmon: You don't know what it is yourself, Mr Chairman.—Rev T. A. Penry said it was too bad to make accusations against the House. It was not the first time, nor the second, nor the sixth time that Mr Salmon had made the remarks, and what would the public think ?—How could they expect people to nome into the House when this impression was -abroad 1 They ought to be more guarded in their remarks, and deal more fairly with the House and with all the officials. There bad been some in the House who had been there for many years, and in the sick room too, and from all appearances' they would be there for years again. That did not speak badly of the treatment they received.—Mr ,Salmon said he did not complain of the treatment given at the House. What he said was that these people could not live under the different system.— Mrs Colby proposed that the women get 5s a week ,each, and Mr Salmon seconded.—Mr Thomas James proposed as an amendment, that they be offered the House.—Mr James Jones said be would second that on principle.—On a division, the amendment was carried by twelve votes to seven.—Mr John Jones (to Mr Salmon): I Toted for the amendment .as a protest against your remarks ?—Mr Salmon I am sorry you should show such feeling against these poor, wretched paupers. It shows the sort of guardian you are. A Biblical Quotation.—Immediately following i the above discussion, another application came be- fore the Board from an old woman in the country district for an increase in her relief.—Mr Salmon wished to know whether this case should not be treated similar to the others, and the House offered to the woman.—Mr Thomas James said it was a f tup rising fact that he, a man from the middle of mountains, should have to teach Mr Salmon, who had lived in the town all his life, his duties as a guardian. His conduct reminded him of one of Solomon's proverbs, in which it was said, Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him." (Loud laughter.)—Mr Salmon: I am glad Mr James re- members that verse on Monday morning. Perhaps he will have forgotten it by Friday or Saturday.— It was decided to grant the application for an increase in the relief.—At a later stage of the meeting, one of the reporters proceeded to an ad- joining room for a Bible, to get the proper trans- lation of the quotation, Mr James having spoken in Welsh. His return to the Board room, with the Book in his hand, gave rise to another hearty laugh amongst several of the members, whom the vice-chairman (Mr Hugh Hughes), afterwards ac- cused of making sport of the Bible. The Cook's Stzlary.-On the motion of the Rev T. A. Penry, it was decided that the cook's salary be increased from £18 to £20 per annum.

-------DOLGELLEY.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS.

PONTRHYDFENDIGAID.

[No title]

TREGARON.

LLANILAR.

ABERAYRON.

- LLANRHYSTYD.

YSTUMTUEN.

.0 Montgomeryshire Standing…

NEW QUAY.

--ABERYSTWYTH

ABERDOVEY.