Newton: Board of Guardians: Wednesday: The Rev. R. R. Wolfe presided, and among those present were Revs. F. J. Taylor, and J. M. Hawker, Dr. Barham, Messrs. E. Ford, E. S. Bearne, J. Creed, W. Law, J. Harvey, H. T. Marshall, T. H. Bullock, W. Salter. A. Pike, J. Weymouth, W. Sowten, T. F. Graham, W. Rendell, W. Bond, C. H. Mattock, G. Rowel], W. B. Haydon, J. Langmead, G. Pinsent, J. W. F. Bickford, T. Drake, J. Ayshford Wise (ex-officio), H. Creagh, S. N. Neck, H. Norsworthy, G. Stooke, W. Addams, F. B. Cornthwaite, Mortimer, E. Beazley, T. Flamank, etc.: The following letter from the Chaplain, giving a reason why he had not visited the house during the week from Jan. 26 to Feb. 2, was read: Highweek, Feb. 11. 1833. My dear Sir, ln reply to Mr. Alsop’s note, I beg to inform the Board that the week before last I was in the North of Devon, where I went to see a sister who had been dangerously ill, and I am not aware that by so doing any of clerical duties were or would be neglected, as I never leave home without deputing someone to act for me in case of emergency. In looking over my report book, I find that during the year 1867 I paid three hundred and seventy-nine visits to the house and received sixty pounds for services. I do not think, therefore, that any Guardian, when he is brought acquainted with the facts, will venture to assert that my duties as Chaplain have been negligently performed. I am, my dear sir, yours truly, W. P. Good. The Chairman remarked that the letter did not contain the information asked for: Mr. Hawker asked who the deputy was, that he might be applied to in case of emergency? If the Visiting Committee were made acquainted with that, they would be satisfied. Mr. Creed said he believed Mr. Templer was the deputy, and considering the circumstances, and the number of years the Chaplain had performed the duties of the house, he moved that the Board pass to the order of the day, which was seconded by Mr. Bickford, and carried. The number of paupers in the house was reported to be 287, being a decrease of 10 on the previous week. The medical returns were satisfactory. There were no returns from Dr. Cann. The Clerk read the following from Dr. Macgill: Ashburton, Feb. 12, 1868: Sir – ln reply to your letter asking when I attended for vaccination at Widdicombe during the last year, I forward you the following particulars: April 31st two cases vaccinated: May 7th., five; June 26th. one; July 1st, three; July 8th, three; Aug. 18th, two; Sept. 1st, three; Sept. 18th, one. Thus, it will be seen I made eight attendances and twenty vaccinations. So far as I am aware, there is only one lately born child unvaccinated in Widdicombe, and I know there is not one unvaccinated in either of the parishes of Buckland or Bickington. When I came to this district I think it was in the worst state of any in England as regards vaccination; now will bear comparison with any. I may mention in support of this that I have, since I came to the district (34 years ago) vaccinated 229 children above one year old, 97 children under four years of age and above. At the present time I do not think there are twelve children unvaccinated in the four parishes, including the town of Ashburton. I am happy to state there are further cases of smallpox in the district under care. —Yours truly, A. Macgill, M.D., M.R. P.S. The statement was considered highly satisfactory. Mr. Creed asked if any reply had been received from the Earl of Devon or Mr. Torr respecting the nuisance at Moretonhampstead. The Clerk said he had received a letter from Mr. Drew, steward to the Earl of Devon, stating that no arrangements had been made with Mr. Torr with reference to the drain at Moretonhampstead, nor has any such been contemplated since the case was dismissed by the magistrates. It is not fact that the place remains in its former state, at the suggestion of the magistrates a catchpit was filled up and the drain paved for some distance, which has had the effect of abating the evil complained of. And I do not apprehend there will be any nuisance to make it injurious, at least I have not discovered any since the alteration has been made — I am, dear sir, yours truly, John Drew.” The Clerk instructed, after the Surveyor had given his opinion that it was still a nuisance, to write to Mr. Drew in reference to it. Mr. John Harvey, in the absence of Mr. J. T. Harvey, who had given notice, moved the appointment of a committee to consider the relieving officers’ districts, with a view to the appointment of an additional relieving officer, so that more time should be devoted to the parish of Tormoham. Mr. Wills seconded the proposition. The Chairman observed that it was only twelve months ago the districts of the relieving officers were fully ventilated and settled upon. There was no complaint from the relieving officer himself that he was overworked, or had not sufficient time to attend to his duties at Torquay; on the contrary, it was not long ago that, having time upon his hands, he was allowed to take the office of registrar of births and deaths, which would not have been allowed if it was considered that he had not time to attend to the both. Mr. Law, Mr. Ford, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Creagh, and others spoke on the matter, after which Mr. Harvey replied, and being put to the meeting, the motion was agreed to.
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Referenced
GRO0369 Hennock: Gilbert Pinsent: 1840 – 1918