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In the Throes of Drink.i -,n-_

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In the Throes of Drink. n A PATHETIC STORY TO THE GUARDIANS. A very pathetic ptory of poverty caused by the curse of drunkenness was related to the Board of Guardians on Thursday last, when an application for relief was made by an ex- inspector on the Great Western Railway, a married man..55 years of age. About four months ago he \as constrained, through ill- ness to abanclun his work, and was subse- quently relieved by the Provident Society in connection with the Great Western Railway to the extent of 10s. 8d. per week. Later this was reduced to an average of 4s. 9d. per week, and the rental of the house amounted to 6s. 6d. per week. He had four sons, one of whom was a stationmaster, and another a. tra- velling dr-ipor. There was also a son em- ployed as a behinder at the Old Lodge Works and the lad -of about fifteen was at present out of employment. He had also a daughter an attendant at Carmarthen Asylum. The Clerk read a letter from one of the sons, in which he gave his father and mother a bad character as regards their drinking habits. They had wasted away their money in drinkin??. and hn. dorrosslv misused it. He -c- would support his parents under ordinary circumstances, but as they had so disgrace- fully squandered the money in drink lie de- clined to contribute on principle. Another son wrote: stating that if they were to grant relief, it would all go down their throats." Mr W. B. Jones: Of course it would (laugh- ter). The letter continued that he was prepared to pay towards his parents' maintenance .in the House. The Chairman: I think it is one of the hardest cases we have had before the Board. Mr. Pugh observed that it was a most pain- ful case, and the hest they could do was to offer the House. If, as stated by their own children, they would not be able to look after the money, then it was their painful duty to offer the House, notwithstanding their posi- tion. Mr. W. Y. Nevill said that it had been re- commended that the House be offered, and the question was whether the sons should contribute. Mr. Morley Joseph said they must first of all come into the house, but he did not sup- pose they would. Henry Thomas, applicant's son. was then admitted before the Board. It was a sad story, he said. he had to relate, and it was all about drinking. Up to last June his father was an inspector on the Great Western Rail- way, and that day he was the subject of their attention there. His father had been drink- ing heavily, but his mother had been worse, and in consequence their home was gone. Whilst it seemed natural and loving that they should support their parents, if they did so, under the present circumstances, it would do them harm. For the past ten years he had been endeavouring to get his brothers and sisters to show them a good example at home. They had now, however, all left home, and were in good positions, with the exception of his youngest brother. He had thought of makinor Ifis own home, and these unhaoDV circumstances arose, which clouded his happy anticipations. He was earning 28s. per week, out of which he paid 2s. club money, and 5s. rent. He hoped the Board would allow him to build his future, and that they would not cloud it owing to a cause which he could not help. Mr. Pugh: What is your reason for not con- tributing towards your father and mother? Is if because you think the money will be misused? ■Thomas: I have not refused, but if they will culy get it they will spend it on drink. When my father will be 60 years of age he will get a pension of 4s. from the widows and orphans fund. The Chairman: You have our sympathy under the circumstances. Thomas said he was prepared to pay one shilling. It was decided to allow the applicant to appear before the Board, and Mr. David Harry said that they should not submit him to cross-examination there. His sympathies were wit/i the sons, and with the applicant, too. J The applicant said that his children had Ie- fused to pay towards his maintenance until he received 'iirs pension. He was now desti- tute. The Chairman: I am sorry to tell roti that your children give us a very sad story of the isiate of affairs at your home. Applicant: I should like to get an explana- tion. I have been 41 years in the employ of the G.W.R Co.. 20 years of which I worked as a. signalman, and I have been 17 years an inspector, without a blemish on my character. I do not think there is much drinking abouj that. l could not keep a responsible post like that if I were a, drunkard. The Chairman: We were not. listening to the tittle-tattle of neighbour3 but what your own children tell us. Applicant: Their mother is addicted to drink tsiri.ee she buried a. child, about eight years ago, and it has brought me into this state. Mr. W Y. Nevill: You lia, '-e been in a re- sponsible position. Have you not been able to put something by for a rainy day? Applicant: I have brought up a family of eight children and my wife 'has been very bad in her habits. I am in heavy debt to-day; in Suet. I have an administration order at the Town Hall at the present time. What will become of that I do not know. Mr. Thomas Jones: It is a sad story.. Mr. W. B. Jones: You say you are willing to let yon wife have your pension. If yOur wife is addicted to drink, do you not think she would spend the money on drink if she liad it I Applicant: I would like to come into the House. Before my wife would come, she would commit suicide first. The applicant then. left. The Chairman said it hafl satisfied him that the applicant was prepared to c-cma into the H ou.se. It did strike him very much that. after holding a resDonsible position, he should unexpectedly leave without a blemish. The roan had a better character than the children had given him. Mr. Morlev Joseph observed that it l.v cruelty to leave the woman outside. Could they not have an order from the magistrates to "being her into the House? It. would be ridiculuus to leave her to do what she wished. He thought rhey should promote a bill in Parliament at once to get that power (laugh- ter). The Chairman: They have quite enough, to do there already Mr. Thomas Jor.es asked whether it would not be possible for them to get one of the children to take care" of the mother whilst the father was in the house. Mr. Pugh said it was a serious case, which required drastic remedies. Here was a man volunteering to come into the House, and they allowed the cause to remain outside. He b-elieved they should take drastic action to bring the mother hiside. It was suhsequently decided that the House be offered to both.

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