Cambridge Guardians: the L. G. B. and Mental Defective Cases: Urgent After 4 1/2 months: There was not much business of public interest at the meeting of the Cambridge Guardians on Wednesday morning. The chief item was a letter from the Local Government Board enclosing a report from the Board of Control as the visit of Mrs. Pinsent, one of the Commissioners, to the Workhouse the 17th April last. In her report Mrs. Pinsent stated that the Matron drew her attention to certain mentally defective women in the House, and Mrs. Pinsent expressed the opinion that four of these were urgent cases. The Chairman pointed out that Mrs. Pinsent said four of the cases were urgent, yet it was 4 1/2 months since she visited the House, and Mr. Young said he believed that certain of the inmates referred to were no longer in the House! The matter was referred to the special committee appointed to deal with the question of the reception of mental defectives. … … When the letter from the Local Government Board and the report as to Mrs. Pinsent’s meeting was read, the Chairman said the Board would see that although Mrs. Pinsent said four of the cases were urgent, it was 4 ½ months she paid her visit. Mr. Young asked what steps the Boards would have to take in order to begin operations under the Act to make the House a home for the detention of mentally defective persons … … Mr. Young said he believed that since Mrs. Pinsent’s visit certain of these five inmates had left the house … …
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Referenced
GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949