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BRIDGEND AND COWBRIDGE BOARD…

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BRIDGEND AND COWBRIDGE BOARD OF GUARDIANS. a SWEEPING RECOMMENDATIONS BY DR*. RANDALL. CONVERTING THE WORKHOUSE INTO A PARADISE. STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT OUT-DOOR RELIEF. "AMOUNTS TO CHRONIC STARVATION." At the weekly meeting of this Board on Saturday, the Rev F. W. Edmondes, M.A., presided, and there were present—Mr Edmund D. Lewis (vice-chairman), Col. Turbervill, Revs Eynon Lewis, S. Jackson, J. R. Humphreys, and W. W. Richards Mrs Randall and Mrs Parry Messrs T. L. Roberts, J. I. D. Nicholl,-H. O. Irvine, Edward Lewis, John Davies, Griffith Edwards, T. Jones (Maesteg), J. Jones, W. Jones, J. H. Thomas, D. P. Thomas, Evan Matthews, W. Hopkins, W. Howells (Wick), Lemuel Griffiths, D. H. Price, W. G. Loveluck, R. Williams, Evan Williams, T. C. Jones, W. Pennant, J. David, Edward David, John Thomas, Richard Thomas, William Griffiths, J. Rees, W. B. Loveluck, J. G. Loveluck, T. Richards, Morgan John, J. C. Thomas, W. Howell (Pencoed), Daniel Samuel, E. Morgan, Howel Williams, Hopkin Williams. STATISTICAL. The Clerk reported the number of paupers in receipt of out-door relief to be 758 as against 841 dnring the corresponding week of last year and the expenditurefS5 7s 6J as against J6S2 4s Id. THE UNREPRESENTED PARISHES. A letter was read from Mr Mansel Franklen, Clerk to the County Council, stating that the Local Government Committee ordered that ejections in the parishes where the nominations had been declared invalid on the occasion of the recent election should be held on the second Monday in February, the procedure of the Local Government Board order as to the election of District Councillors to be followed as near as possible. The Chairman observed that the order included the whole of the parishes for which at present I there were no representatives and that was very satisfactory. The Clerk read a further communication from Mr Franklen stating that the committee had decided to grant the application of the Guardians that they should retire simultaneously every third year; and an order to this effect would in due coarse be made- This (the letter added) would settle the question as to District Coun- cillors, who would all retire at the same time. Mr J. H. Thomas asked if the order of the committee was final, or was it to be submitted to the County Council for ratification? The Clerk replied that it was final. POOR-LAW CONFERENCE. The Board was asked to send three representa- tives to the annual Poor Law Conference to be held in London, Colonel Turbervill and Mr J. Barrow having been nominated. The Vice-chairman (Mr Lewis) said it would be very fitting in face of the new movement if a Lady Guardian would go, provided Mrs Randall or Mrs Dr Parry would like to. Mr T. L. Roberts thereupon moved that the :two ladies mentioned be requested to attend the con- ference. The Chairman, however, pointed out that only three representatives were wanted, and two gentle- men had already been elected (laughter). A member then moved that Mrs Randall be the lady representative. Mrs Randall: I am very much obliged to yon, but I would rather not. The same member then proposed Mrs Parry. Mrs Parry I would rather not, thank you. The Chairman I am sorry to say that both ladies decline (laughter). It was decided to remit the 10s subticription asked for. ELECTION PETITIONS. An order was read from the Local Government Board with reference to security of costs in cases of election petitions," the effect of it being that the petitioner shall lodge £ 50. BOARD ROOK ACCOMMODATION. Mr J. H. Thomas, in accordance with notice of motion, proposed that a committee be appointed to take into consideration the question of providing a proper accommodation for the guardians at their meetings. The attendance that day again, he said, proved the necessity of better accommodotion and if better room was provided it would be an en- couragement to members to stop longer than they did at present. He thought the utilising of the adjoining rooms instead of the present one would be a good plan. To compose the committee he nomi- nated the chairman, vice-chairman, Col. Turbervill, Messrs J. 1. D. Nicholl, W. Howells (Wick), Edward Lewis, T. Jones, and W. Pennant. Mr T. C. Jones seconded the motion, which was carried, Mr J. H. Thomas' name being added on the motion of Mr W. Pennant. SWEEPING REPORT FROX THE MEDICAL OFFICER. The medical officer (Dr Randall), who was not present himself, submitted the following report:- I beg to bring forward for your consideration a few recommendations, structural and administrative, which I feel are desirable to add to the comfort and well-being of the poor suffering and infirm inmates of this workhouse and also a suggestion as to the mode of dealing with out-door recipients of relief. s SJructurut-The provision of a day room for each ward, where the convalescents and old people might sit when able to leave their beds; and, in the case of the men, to be enabled to smoke with- out interfering with the comfort of those who are too ill to rise from bed, and who may be suffering from some chest affection to whom the smoke may prove irritating, or even tend to retard recovery. This, I think, might be accomplished by adding an upper floor to the back wards, then by using the ground floor for the day room. In this way additional sick ward accommodation would be obtained, so that one of the existing front wards on the male and female side might be utilised as a day room. These wards might be occupied by the more helpless and infirm inmates, to whom going up and down stairs might be a difficulty. (2) A detached or semi-detached lying-in ward should be provided, so that sounds issuing from it could not be heard in the men's yard, as at present is the case. Also there should be provision for thorough ventilation. This could be obtained by adding an upper floor to the back wards on the female side. Then the ground floor could be used as a convalescent ward. Separate sanitary accomo- dation should be provided, and hot and cold water laid on to these wards. (3) Two detached wards for contagious cases should be built, each con- taining a separate ward for contagious skin diseases and one for lock cases. These should have separate sanitary offices and bath. (4) Im- proved flushing apparatus in the w.c's and re- construction of the portions of the drainage that has not hitherto been effected. (5) Gas should be laid on to all parts of the house. Cases have occurred of old persons leaving their rooms at night and being unable to find their way; also occasionally falls have taken place in consequence of the prevailing darkness. (6) The pleasant room on the first noo- should be found as a nursery for the children, furnUhed with a couch, some small ehairs, and rugs or matting on the floor, with a a responsible paid attendant. (7) There should be also a separate ward for the imbeciles and persons of unsound mind, with a paid skilled attendant. Administrative, (a) Nursing.-The nursing staff of the workhouse, is insufficient, and I beg to suggest that it be increased by the appointment of an extra nurse, who shall be a qualified midwife, and who would be able to give the skilled and kindly ministrations so necessary to the sufferer before, during, and after the attendance of the Medical Officer. (b) By agreement between the two nurses, one might per- form the duties of night nurse during alternate months. At the present time tLis work is entrusted to the inmates-a most unsatisfactory arrangement, as they are incapable of discharging efficiently such duties, (c) A door porter would be a useful appointment. He would also act as messenger. This would save the old or delicate from being ex- posed to the risk of taking cold in wet and inclement weather, as is sometimes now the case. He would also be extremely valuable in dealing with the occasional cases of delirium tremenn and every delirium which have to be treated in the house from time to time. (d) With regard to the wards that they should be rendered more cheerful by, that couches should be supplied for use by day and dressing gowns and slippers for use by night, as occasion might require, (e) That the diet be somewhat im- proved at any rate to the extent of giving those over 60 years of age, half-pint of milk for breakfast, and the same for tea, or supper and that the rice dinner for all inmates, should be changed to an additional meat dinner. For variety in diet once a week, cake might take the place of bread and butter, or jam or marmalade might take the place of butter for the old people and children. This could be done with little or no increase of cost. Miscellaneous.—Seats should be provided in each garden for the use of the inmates on fine days. The distinguishing drtss for all inmates of 60 years and upwards should be abolished. Separate rooms should be furnished for aged married couples. A supply of newspapers and illustrated periodicals should be provided for each ward. Dominoes and draughts should be supplied, and tobacco or inuff given regularly to those who desire it. I consider that the day clothing of the old men and children is not sufficient, particularly during the cold months, and in this matter I hope to have the special support of the lady guardians, who are eminently fitted to give a reliable opinion, and I trust also to have that support in my other suggestions. I have thought the blankets on the bed insufficient, but as Mr Messenger has informed me that three doubled blankets could -be supplied to those who wish, I think that would be ample for ordinary requirements. With reeard to out- door relief, I hold the opinion that out-door relief. It decided upon, should be given with a liberal hand, and in only a few cases be less than 5s per week per head. At present the relief given some- times amoutits to chronic starvation. The cases in which less than this should be given would be those whom it is found have made no attempt at provision for self-maintenance during sickness or other causes, but in these cases it would be more advisable to relieve in the workhouse. The Chairman moved, anti M r Pennant seconded, that the report be referred to the House Com- mittee. Mr Edmund Lewis remarked that he was sur- prised that Dr Randall did not propose that every pauper in the country should have a pension (hear, hear, and laughter). Mr Nicholl So am I. It was decided to ask Dr Randall to attend the committee meeting, which it was decided to hold on the following Saturday.

CHURCH DEFENCE AT KENFIG HILL.…

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PEIiJUHY AT BRIDGEND. -------------

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