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| Folios 200-205. Letter from Thomas N Firmin, Clerk to the Guardians of the Southampton Incorporation, to the Poor Law Board, enclosing a copy of minutes of a meeting held on 10 September 1856 when an inquiry was conducted into an allegation made to the guardians, on 2 July 1856, by Mr Davidson [Daniel Davidson] Master. Davidson claimed that former workhouse girls were 'stock in trade' at a brothel in Cumberland Street. Also discussed was a letter from the Poor Law Board referring to the guardians' investigation into the continual disagreement between Davidson and Miss Payne, Matron, with Miss Johnson [Amelia Johnson] Industrial Teacher. Copy of minutes of a meeting held by the guardians on 10 September 1856 enquiring into the allegation, made by Mr Davidson [Daniel Davidson] Master, on 2 July 1856, that former workhouse girls were 'Stock in trade' at a brothel in Cumberland Street. Also discussed was the ongoing disagreement of Davidson and Miss Payne, Master and Matron, with Johnson, the Industrial Teacher at the workhouse. Guardians present at the meeting were Messrs G Gould DP, Falvey, Wolferstan, Carter, Grant, Pearce, Pitts, Avern, Newman, Gorsuch, Hall, James, Emanuel, Tout and Cox. Davidson was asked for proof of his allegation. He recounted a story about Mary Ann Comport, a former inmate, that had been told to him, first by Payne, Matron, and then [Elizabeth Langtree] a workhouse inmate, whom he later questioned. Mary Ann Comport, Davidson said, had left service with Mr Rowland and was 'living a bad life' with Martha Hardy, another former inmate, at Mr Hardy's house in Cumberland Street. The guardians discussed Comport's employment in service at George Coles'. The circumstances under which she left were recited [not included]. Although free from blame and much pitied she had been reproved by the guardians following observations made by the [Master] at the time. In reply to guardians' questions, Davidson stated he thought Johnson, Industrial Teacher, did not know the girls, Comport and Hardy. The assertions he had made did not refer to the present industrial teacher. The clerk now enumerated the various places where, at different times, Comport had been in service. Mr Carter [G Carter] Guardian, asked Davidson if remarks he had made before 2 July were intended to be applicable to Johnson. These comments were: 1. He wished to see workhouse girls in service at 'the Polygon, Crescent and other similar places'. 2. The present system of industrial teaching was a farce. 3. The 'Stock in trade' of a brothel in Cumberland Street is comprised of workhouse girls. Davidson declined to answer and was directed to retire. Elizabeth Langtree, inmate, in her statement to the meeting, said Comport had told her she went to live at Hardy's when, after leaving service, she was unable to pay for lodging. Langtree also said that she had told Payne that Comport 'was leading an improper life' but now admits this belief was based on workhouse gossip. Langtree denied having been questioned about this by Davidson, or saying anything to him in Payne's presence. Her impression, she added, was that Comport thought Hardy's was an 'ill conducted house' and she did not approve of the 'goings on there'. The clerk now read letter no 27726/1856., dated 30 July 1856, from R W Grey, Secretary of the Poor Law Board, to Thomas N Firmin, enclosing an extract from minutes of the guardians' meeting held on 2 July 1856. These referred to an investigation into the continual disagreement of Davidson and Payne, Master and Matron, with Johnson, Industrial Teacher at the workhouse. Having considered the statements of charges and counter charges, the board considers that, even if proved, it was not necessary to order the resignations of any officer. The guardians are reminded that Johnson is only an assistant to Miss Harland, the Schoolmistress, and Payne rightly sent articles for school use to Harland who is the responsible officer. Observations made by Davidson about Johnson were 'clearly censurable' and should not have been made. However, Johnson had not shown the respect due to the master and matron and the board disapproves of her conduct. The board requests the guardians to admonish the master, matron and industrial teacher. They should attend to their respective duties and be more considerate towards each other. A proposal by Mr Cox, seconded by Mr Carter [G Carter], censors the conduct of the master in making a reckless assertion that is not substantiated by evidence and is false regarding the system of industrial teaching. The guardians repeat their lack of confidence in him. An amendment, proposed by Mr James and seconded by Mr Emanuel, considers that the charge made by the master on 2 July 1856, had not been proved and the master should withdraw his statement. The amended proposal was defeated. A vote was then taken on the original proposal, which was carried. A further proposal by Mr Falvey, seconded by Mr Avern, states the opinion that, having read the Poor Law Board's letter no 27776/1856., dated 31 July 1856, relating to disputes between 'In door' officers, the guardians who attend to the workhouse business are better able to judge all the facts of the case. They see no reason to alter the decision made on 2 July 1856. A proposal by Mr Avern, seconded by Mr Wolferstan, to send a copy of the minutes of this meeting to the Poor Law Board, was carried. Mr Wolferstan proposed and Mr Carter [G Carter] seconded a proposal to send a copy of the first resolution, relating to the master, to Davidson. Annotation: 'former papers' Mr Hawley [W H Toovey Hawley, Poor Law Inspector] 18 September 1856. Acknowledge and note that representations by Davidson about girls from the workhouse being inmates of a brothel appear to be exaggerated. [Edward Pleydell Bouverie] President, notes that these papers explain that the master's allegations were made hastily. With so much 'warmth and party feeling', his advice is 'to send a simple acknowledgment and then put by'. 24 September 1856. Paper Number: 35578/1856. Poor Law Union Number 407. Counties: Hampshire. |
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