Woolwich Officers. Last Wednesday, Francis Lane, a chip gatherer, a poor woman of...

Woolwich Officers. Last Wednesday, Francis Lane, a chip gatherer, a poor woman of the town, attempted to steal nails from the Yard. The Constable, the Clerks of the Cheque and Survey detained her and took her before Justice Savary at Greenwich. She was committed to Bridewell, Deptford. The Clerk of the Cheque has paid the Constable and the Warder at the Gate, who discovered the attempted theft, for taking her to Greenwich and Bridewell. Ask for the sum to be included in the imprest account. In June 1727, Hope Ramsbottom and her daughter, were found guilty of a similar crime and a publication was displayed warning of the consequences to anyone allowed to pick up chips attempting to steal or embezzle stores. They opine that the chip gatherers should not be allowed into the Yard until the Board has decided on any future action, but hope that the whipping of the present offender, who is not a parishioner here, will deter others.