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| Folios 5-11. Letter from Thomas Nixon, Magistrate, Visitor of the Poor House Basford, to Edwin Chadwick, Secretary to the Poor Law Commission, sending general answers to the queries sent to the 40 overseers, as follows: The 'Association' consists of 40 parishes, with a population of about 50,000, established about 20 years. A list of all 40 is included, with a copy of the 'Rules and Regulations'; They act in opposition to the 'Description of Persons' to be admitted, to give greater benefit to the united parishes; He has been a visitor to the house for about 5 years and one of his rules is to refuse relief out of the House to able-bodied male paupers; He quotes from the 43 Eliz c 2 s 1, as having harmed the Poor Laws; He and the other magistrates had received the letter dated 10 October [1834] and circular dated 6 October [1834] from the Poor Law Commission. He comments on improvements to the old system including settlements and appeals, saving expense and litigation; The improvement on the old Bastardy Laws; He states that Clause 72, however, is universally condemned. Refers to two Filiation Orders brought before the magistrates with comments from the senior counsel regarding witnesses, a brief to be prepared, fees in guineas, costs awarded to the defendants, the powers of magistrates within the Act, Overseer's responsibility to the defendant if failure to get the order. He mentions Clause 76, authorising attachment of wages and Section 59 as being unworkable as Masters will not subject themselves to the imposed liabilities; He suggests that as Clause 72 is unworkable, that in all bastardy cases, Filiation Orders be made at the Petty Sessions unless alleged father objects and has the means to pay to have it tried at the Quarter Sessions; He cites the case of a publican's son with no wages, goods or chattels and how Section 99 as in penalties and forfeitures, committal to prison is unworkable. He also regrets that apprenticeship, hiring and service are not included in Section 64. Mentions fraud and litigation in gaining a settlement of such cases; The Basford House was a model for the Southwell House under the direction of Mr Beeches. Enclosure: Answers to some of the queries of the Commissioners form. Signed by Nixon, Visitor. Includes Officer's names, Mr Towle, Treasurer; Reverend S Banks, Chaplain; Mr But, Surgeon; Mr Ashton, Governor; Mrs Ashton, Matron. It also gives the numbers of years service. Enclosure: List of the 40 parishes incorporated under 22 George 3 c 83 forming the 'Associated House of Industry' at Basford. These are: Annesley, Arnold, Basford, Beeston, Bilborough, Bilsthorpe, Blidworth, Bulwell, Calverton, Caythorpe, Codnor cum Loscoe, [Derbyshire], Cotgrave, Cropwell Bishop, Cropwell Butler, Eastwood, Edingley, Epperstone, Farnsfield, Gamstone, [Gamston], Greasley, Gunthorpe, Heanor, [Derbyshire], Holme Pierrepoint, Hucknall Torkard, Ilkestone [Ilkeston] [Derbyshire], Kirkby, Lambley, Lowdham, Linby, Oxton, Papplewick, Plumtree, Ratcliffe [Radcliffe], Selstone [Selston], Shipley [Derbyshire], Strelley, Sutton in Ashfield, Thrumpton, Tollerton, Woodbro [Woodborough]. Total Population 50,120. Enclosure: Second list of the 40 parishes. Note at end states that many of them are large manufacturing villages. The house has a garden of 25 acres where produce grown is sold in Nottingham, 3 miles away. It also provides work for the able inmates. Stocking making has been given up in the house. Enclosure: Rules, Orders, Regulations and By-laws of the Basford Associated Poor House. Enclosure: Diet Bill at the Associated House of Industry, July 1832, which gives the weekly daily diet for each age, sex and category of inmate. Annotated: with three enclosures and thanking Thomas Nixon, Justice of the Peace, for the information. Poor Law Union Number 334. Counties: Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. |
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