Newton Abbot: Board of Guardians: Wednesday: Board of Guardians. — Wednesday. The first sitting of the Board took place on Wednesday. The first business to be considered was the election of chairman for the ensuing year. Mr. Staddon proposed, and Mr. Chichester seconded — “That the Rev. C. Wolston be the chairman for the ensuing year.” G. S. Curtis, Esq., was proposed by Mr. Courtier, and seconded by Mr. Maye. Mr. Munroe occupied the chair during the election, which was very exciting during two hours, and much strong feeling was exhibited on both sides. The result was that the Rev. C. Wolston was returned by a majority of two. The rev. gentleman took the chair, much against the wishes of the opposing party, who said that the business had been conducted unfairly, declaring that the poll had been kept open unduly, to receive the names of some persons, who were not then present, which had turned the scale. This was, however, denied by the chairman, and the party in favour of the Rev. Mr. Wolston. Mr. Curtis voted in favor of his opponent. W. Creed, Esq. and G. S. Curtis, Esq. were selected vice-chairmen for the ensuing year, the Rev. T. Kitson having resigned. The following committees were then appointed. Finance Committee: Col. Fox, Mr. Courtier, Mr. Creagh, Mr. Whidborne, Mr. T. Rendell, Mr. Bearne, Mr. Wale, Mr. Lethbridge, Mr. Law, Mr. Pinsent, Mr. W. Burd, Mr. Thomas, Mr. T. Wills, Mr. J. Harvey, Mr. W. Sparke, Mr. Peckins, Mr. Staddon. Committee to Inspect Tenders: Mr. T. Rendell, Mr. Stooke, Mr. Pinsent, Mr. Shapley, Mr. Law, Mr. Staddon, Mr. Hannaford, Mr. Bearne, Mr. Bickford Mr. May, Mr Burd Mr. Palk, Mr. Wale, Mr. Tucker, Mr. T. Wills: House Visiting Cammiltee: Mr. Hole, Col. Fox, Mr. Bearne, Mr. Woolland, Mr. Wale. Mr. Pinsent, Mr. W. Rendell, Mr. Stooke, Mr Law, Lieut. Lethbridge, Mr. T. Rendell, Rev. H. Woolcombe, Mr. E. Palk, Mr. R. Burd, Rev. T. Kitson, Mr. Pike, Mr. J. Bickford, Rev. J. Taylor, Mr. J. Harvey, Mr J. Maye, Mr. J. Harvey. Medical Committee: Mr. W. Rendell, Mr. I. Rendell, Mr. T. Rendell, Mr. Courtier, Mr. Hole, Mr. Skinner, Mr. Lethbridge, Mr. Creagh, Rev. F. S. Taylor, Col. Fox, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Palk, (Highweek) Mr. Burd. On the board resuming for general business, a report of the visiting committee was read, recommending that Mr. Gillard, the medical officer, should have £12 for his increased work in the town, and £8 for Kingsteignton. It was moved by Mr. Palk, seconded by Mr. Hole, that the report be received. Lieut. Lethbridge said he could not conceive that the medical man could do the work required of him, at the rate Mr. Gillard was doing it; he had only 1s 11d per day for attending 59 sick people in the house, and only £8 a year for Kingsteignton, where there had been a great deal of work. Mr. French was for retrenchment, and thought these no times for increase of salaries, and should therefore vote against it. Mr. Palk had heard from the commissioner that there was to be a reduction in all salaries, and he felt that it should be carefully done, except in cases of old and tried servants such as Mr. Gillard. Mr. Kitson spoke highly of the efficiency of Mr. Gillard, whose mode of treating paupers was a great improvement on that of his predecessor. He had heard from Mr. Woolcombe that the rate of mortality at Kingsteignton through the past year had been one in twenty-seven! He thought Mr. Gillard deserved something for his extra trouble. Mr. Courtier was against giving gratuities. If the medical man in his parish had made an application for an increase of salary a few months ago, the ratio of deaths and sick cases under his care would have warranted it. Some months were very different from others; the rate of mortality varied much. If anything was required, he would give it in the shape of an increased salary and would vote for any fair increase required for Mr. Gillard. Mr. Westcott moved, and Mr. Staddon seconded — that the report be received and adopted, which was carried by 15 to 6. (also) … A meeting of the ratepayers took place at the Town Hall on Monday evening last – above 100 were present – to consider what steps should be adopted relative to the report of G.T. Clarke, Esq., Superintending Inspector to the General Board of Health, on the Sewage, Drainage, Supply of Water, and the Sanitary Condition of the Town. J. T. Coward, Esq. was voted to the chair … (discussion) … Mr. Edward Beazley moved, and Mr. J. Pinsent seconded – “That the statement addressed to the General Board of Health, presented to this meeting by the committee appointed at a public meeting of the ratepayers of Wolbourgh, on the 17th day of Decr. 1849, and which statement has been now read, be received and adopted by this meeting and that the chairman do sign the same in behalf the meeting and forward the statement to the General Board of Health”.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0518 Devonport: John Ball Pinsent: 1819 – 1901