The Whitehaven News 18 August 1904 To Keep a Father in the Workhouse

To Keep a Father in the Workhouse

The Whitehaven News - 18 August 1904

Page 2 Thomas Preston was a name called at the Whitehaven Police Court on Monday.  No one responded.  Mr WH Atkinson, Clerk to the Whitehaven Guardians, said he did not expect Preston would put in an appearance.  The charge against him was that his father was chargeable to the common fund of the Whitehaven Union. The father was an old man, unable to work, with a family.  Two other sons were contributing, or were willing to contribute, a shilling a week. This man, according to the showing of his employers, Cammell Laird & Co., was earning an average of 39 shillings a week. Defendant had three children of his own but the Guardians were of the opinion that he should contribute at least 2 shillings a week.  The cost of the father's keep was 4 shillings a week and a shilling from each of the other two sons and two shillings from this man the Guardians considered was as fair contribution according to ability. John Arthur Barlow, porter at the Workhouse, said that Richard Preston, aged 80, was last admitted on 29 June and was still in the Workhouse. Mr Atkinson produced a certificate from Messrs Cammell Laird & Co., Birkenhead of the defendant's earnings in the sum of 39 shillings. The Bench ordered that the defendant contribute two shillings a week towards the upkeep of his Father.

 

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