Folios 194-197. Letter from William E Goodacre, Clerk to the Guardians of the Mansfield...

Folios 194-197. Letter from William E Goodacre, Clerk to the Guardians of the Mansfield Poor Law Union to the Poor Law Board, acknowledging a letter, dated 31 July 1867. Goodacre states that the half year in question closed in the books on 30 September 1866, the last meeting of the board being on 25 September 1866. He states that on that date the bills for the half year had been sent out and several were not obtained until the following board meeting date, 9 October 1866, consequently cheques could not be signed until 23 October 1866. He states that it was deemed to desirable to have the cheques, for the half year included in the treasurer's books as well as in the ledger for that period, it was allowed to remain open, although it is usually balanced for every meeting, to give tradesmen and others time to present their cheques. He states that he was then prevented by other businesses from proceeding with the balancing of the ledger, and therefore not requiring the pass book, he omitted to get it balanced for the half year, and on calling on the treasurer for that purpose, the treasurer asked whether a few of the credits, four in number, which had been paid to him should be included in the half year accounts. He says he informed the treasurer that, as the book was still open, it would be as well to do all the items belonging to that half year accounts. Goodacre states that Mr Jowett charges him with doing this for the purpose of screening the other overseer, who had paid the £33, and Jowett says that if it had been him he would have been summoned. Goodacre says, that whilst admitting the irregularity, which will not occur again, he denies, distinctly and solemnly, Jowett's charge of improper motives, it being impossible, for either the guardians or himself, to know from the entry 'Scarcliffe £33', by whom it had been paid, especially as it was by no means unusual for overseers to pay their contributions orders in two or more portions.

Annotated: inform the clerk the circumstances to which he refers afford no justification whatsoever of his conduct in requesting the treasurer to enter the £33, which was not paid in until 2 November, under the date 27 September. They trust, however, that they may rely upon his assurances that a similar irregularity will not occur again.

Annotated: write to the collector, and with respect to his statements, that the extra sum charged for stamps was to cover 'some loss sustained other ways', and request him to explain what loss he refers to, and whether the entry was made in the accounts by himself. Request that he will inform the Board whether they are to understand that the incorrect state of the rate arose from it not being in conformity with the valuation lists.

Paper Number: 32362/1867.

Poor Law Union Number: 337.

Counties: Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.