Folios 257-258. Draft letter from the Poor Law Commission, to T S Fletcher [Thomas...

Folios 257-258. Draft letter from the Poor Law Commission, to T S Fletcher [Thomas Swindell Fletcher], Medical Officer [for the Bromsgrove Poor Law Union] telling him that they have received a report from Mr Austin [Alfred Austin], Assistant Poor Law Commissioner, into the charges of neglect against him in the cases of Mr Pratt's wife and the late Mrs Ward. In the case of Mrs Ward, the charge is not upheld. In the case of Mrs Pratt, they note that Fletcher states that he did not believe that the Pratts were destitute and in need of relief from the union. As Fletcher's view of his duty seems to be erroneous and might lead to 'mischievous consequences', the Commission wishes to point out the propriety, if not the legal necessity, of his complying with the relieving officer's order. However, it is desirable that he should inform the officer of facts relating to the means of support of people he attends, if it seems that the guardians would not otherwise be aware of them.

Paper Number: 15749/B/1843.

Poor Law Union Number 526.

Counties: Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.