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    THE ANDOVER ABOMINATIONS. JBBJEAK DOWN O...

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    "" ' '"" T" " " '" Saidthey Of The Utmos...

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    The Andover Abominations. Jbbjeak Down O...

    THE ANDOVER ABOMINATIONS . JBBJEAK DOWN OP THE DEFENCE . RESIGNATION OF THE "MASTER » OFFICIAL INQUIRY RESUMED-Axdovxb , Sept . 17 .

    FOURTEENTH DAT . ' This morning at ten o ' clock , Afr . Assistant-Commissioner Parker re-opened his court . The legal gentlemen on each side were present as before . A short-hand writer , sent down by Government , took notes throughout . Before the appointed business of the day commenced . Air . Missing inquired of Mr . Parker whether it was the intention of the Poor Law Commissioners to indict Mr . M'Dougal ? If they did , he should decline entering upon the defence of his client in this protracted inquiry , as such a course would materially prejudice liim in his defence . Mr . Parker said his instructions were to proceed with the inquiry .

    THE DEFENCE . Harriet Annetts , examined by Mr . Missing—I iiave heen four years in this union workhouse . My £ rst occupation was « that of nurse to the children ; the next scullerymaid . I think Mr . Holly was niarliei to Miss M'Dougal about March , three years ago . After their marriage their clothes were sent here to be washed . That was about three months afterwards . I was then scullerymaid . I saw the clothes as they arrived from Stockbridge , and unpacked them . They generally came in a parcel packed in a "moulder , " which went backwards and forwards . The parcel did not contain anything besides clothes , unless it was when I wanted soap . When I wanted soap I used to apply to mistress , and she sent to Mrs . Holly for soap . When first the clothes were sent soap Was sent with them . Sometimes about 3 lb ., sometimes lib . It was generally sent in a cake . I don't exactly know how long it lasted .

    Was ever anything put into the parcel besides the clothes ?—No , sir ; nothing at all , sir . Any tea or sugar ?—Oh ! no , sir , not the least , sir . Tie sending of the clothes continued for about twelve months , as far as 2 can remember . Did you ever sec any single article belonging to the union packed up with the clothes ?—No , sir ; not at all , sir ; not an article of any kind , sir , except the . " moulder . " Cross-examined by Mr . Prendergast—I always saw the parcels of clothes packed up . Every parcel . Mistress never sent a little present to her daughter . ever . Do you mean to tell , upon your oath ?— -Yes , sir . Stop , did your mistress never put in some litHe note or little packet for her daughter ?—I never saw her .

    "Where was the parcel fastened up ?—It was always sewn up . Mistress didtt ; with a slight needle and thread . It was not put into a basket at all until the last three or four times . The " moulder" was thrown over the basket . The things were the two or three last times packed in a basket , because they were very much tumbled , and Mrs . Holly found fault with them . The parcel was made up sometimes upstairs , sometimes down , most times on the kitchen table . Mrs . M'Dougal was sometimes in the kitchen when it was made up . It was sometimes packed in mistress ' s room . She was not there then . She was about her business generall y . Sometimes she was there . She would come in by chance while I was about it She took no notice of wliat I was doing . Do you mean to tell me that your mistress did not Jiuy some little thing in the town ?—No , sir . Question repeated—If she did she used to give it to her daughter when she came here . I never knew her give her anything , or buy anvthing for her .

    lior send a note to her ?—Oh , yes , sir . Not in the same parcel with the clothes . 1 never saw one . I must have seen it if she ever had . JN o parcels besides the clothes ever went to Stockbridge . I never saw it . You were rather on good terms with young Mr . M'Dougal ?—Good terms ! I don ' t know what you mean . I was his servant . Do you mean to swear it was not reported that you were too intimate with him?—I don't know ; there might have been a report , but I don't know what was the reason for it . Mr . Parker here stopped the examination , and said that Mr . Westldks wot sitting too near the witness and JooUny at her in a way he should not , Mr . ' Westlake said the assistant-commissioner was

    quite mistaken . Mr . Parker thought it advisable , considering the relative position of Air . Westlake and the witness , that he should not sit so close to her with his face turned towards her in a particular way while she was giving evidence . -Mr . Westlake emphatically repeated his denial , and left the side of his legaladviser , to avoid , as he said , sucJi unworthy insinuations . lie had never once looked at Uie witness during her examination . Do you remember charging any woman with having made such a report ?—No . Arc you quite sure that you did not threaten a woman in the house for saying you were too intimate with Mr . M'Dougal ?—No . I never threatened any woman anything . 1 should be in a great passion with any one who said so of me , especially with a younj boy like that . ( Laughter . ) Then how came you to te so doubtful about the report just now ?—There may be reports of which I know notliing , as there may be of you and you know nothing about them .

    Air . -Missing—I should like to have that answer taken . Air . Prendergast—What , about me ? ( A laugh . ) Elizabeth Holly sworn , and examined by Mr . Missing—I am the wife of Stephen Holly , of Stockbridge , and the daughter of Mr . M'Dougal . My husband is a parchment-maker . De carries on business OU his own account , and employs from fifteen to twenty-two men , but not so many in the winter as in the summer . I have been married three years and a half . Since my marriage 1 have been in the habit of sending my clothes to the union to be washed . I began that about nine months after I was married . I scut the clothes here to be washed because my Eccon-1 servant was not able to do the

    washing , and upon those conditions mother agreed to do the washing for me until the girl , Mary Ann Banks , did learn to do it . Sarah Cowdery was my first servant . 1 did not send any clothes here while she was so until the day she left me . I found soap for the washing . It was a yellow soap , but of a different kind from the union soap , if compared—a betteimost kind . 1 have never , sincemyniarriage , received any present of union soap from Mr . or Mrs . M'Dougal . Ivor any soap at alL Nor tea in ounce papers . 2 sor any tea at all . ( The witness was asked the same question with regard to cheese , sugar , and candles , which she answered in the negative . ) I

    have never had so small a quantity of tea m my house as an ounce . I buy my grocery goods in large parcels , sometimes from London , llomsey , and other places . I had a bed from the union when I was married . It was a laud of flock bed in an old tick , and purchased from Mr . Hawkins ( who was present in court ) . I never received any sheets from my mother marked " Union sheets . " 1 never had sheets like the union sheets . I novcr used blankets for any hod lniny house like the union sheets . I have the sheets and blankets here which wore in use by my sen-ants . I never received any shoes from the union , nor had anv made .

    Have you ever received , since your marriage , anv one thing from Mr . or Mrs . M'Dougal belonging tb the union 7—No ; nothing , except a basin of dripping the first Christmas after I was married , which was aboui nine months after . There might have been 21 b . or H' A ) ., not more . That is the only dripping I ever r < Tcived from the house , and that I didn ' t know beloved to it . It was roast beef dripping . Mr . Missing directed tho master to produce the bedding . Mr . Prendergast inquired how far Stockbridge was from Aiidovcr , and having understood that it was only jseven miles , he a-ked why the bed and bedding wa'e not produced while the witness es in support of the charges were under examination ? It was most irregular .

    Mr . Missing said that it was one of the inconveniences of the course pursued by the other side in not furnishing particulars of the charges . Air . Prendergast said , that iu the opinion of the learned Assistant-Commissioner this charge was included in . the others , and he had taken evidence accordingly . It was most unfair not to produce the artities before . XL .- witness identified the bed produced as a present from her mother , the sheets as her own , and also ihe blankets , some of which were iu her husband ' s hou-.- ? before idie was married . She never received any ; -ed but that , nor any other tick . Cross-examined by Mr . Prendergast—What was ihe name of the grocer in London of whom you purchased articles in 1812 f—Mr . IMd ^ er .

    No , iu London ?—I have bought things in London , lou nave got a bill-head , father , 1 believe ( turning to t .-c master , who handed the witness a ba « kci ) . 1 did r . oi buy any grocery in London in the first rear atnr -jjy marriage , nor in tkc scccud . I have bou-ht some at sicekbridgc . 1 dealt with Mr . Brid « cr the firei two years principally . I can ' t sav wh . -tW he supphed the union . I have bought some ol * Mr HiU-tieoek . - I have dealt with hundreds of tfioj . * ' . Tl hen 1 went out with Mr . Holl v , if I wanted "rocerv I fcosjjhi it . 1 have bought it at Stockbridge and Anibwr loo . V , e generall y took it home in Mr . lioliy s gig . WcrenotMr . Brid gerand your father intimate ? —1 tion t know . I know that much of mv lather that I don't know whom he was intimate with I have seen Mr . Brld ^ er at tho workbouss wi th m lath-. T but I know nothing of their iuiimacv—notlihi " more than civility . " fa orer-

    Tr » ? * ^ ^ ^ motIier S ° 0 Ycr ™ aSiS tosee ^^ i ^^ ve been They nev « Seuglit MS ; n roai ^ Sf » ^ y at all for mc . was v « ry ^ : £ - nbia = but m «*»» linen , and that I fiflb . S ^™™^ your mother and

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    —They never did . They had a pony of their own when they brought the clothes . Nothing but the clothes ?—No , they never brought anything belonging to the union . No , no , I don't ask that . Nothing then except the dripping?—No ; one basin . Did younotsay , Why , mother , of all the nice things in the " world , you ' ve never sent me anything but this dripping ? No . I don't think she has all the nice things in the world here . She did not send the dripping , I took it myself . Where did you get it ?—From my mother in this house .

    Did you ask for it ?—I did . I told her I was very fond of beef-dripping . How?—On a bit of bread . ( A laugh . ) I told her I liked beef dripping , and she said she would give me that basin of dripping . It was a white pudding-basin . I don't think it is a union basin . _ I have got it now . If you have heard of pans of dripping going to Stockbridge and coming back empty it is quite untrue . I am certain I never received a bit of tea , sugar , butter , cheese , or bacon , all the time from my mother or father . Besides them I have sisters and a brother , and two or three aunts , only one of whom have I ever seen in my life . I never received any present from them . It was not in their power . The only thing I got was the dripping , which I had a taste for . The sheets produced were in my husband ' s house before I was married . I bought some of Mr . Hawkins , about three months after I was married . The sheets produced are those

    used by my servant . They are not both hero . I did not bring the fellow . It is calico . I will swear that it has been in use three years . It is not much worn . It is not large for a servant ' s bed . I never compared it with the union sheets . They are of brown linen . No girl could mistake this for a brown linen sheet . It appears they have though . I have been at home during the last three or four weeks . I have not slept away as I know of . I have been at Andover , expecting to be wanted . I brought the sheets here this morning , and the bed nearly a fortnight ago , when I expi cted it would be wanted . I don't know why I did not bring the sheets at the same time . I brought them and took them back . I brought the blankets too . I brought the bed and the sheets together . I took them away for the bed . My maid sleeps on a feather bed besides this , and she could do that without this one .

    And you took them back without showing them to the witnesses ? Mr . Missing objected . Mr . Prendergast—Stop a minute . Do you know Sarah Cowdery and Mary Ann Banks ? Witness—Yes , 1 saw them at the cottage over the way , but I did not show them the sheets . I did not show them to my father or to my mother . I took them back the same day I brought them here . Somebody told me they were not wanted . I can't say who it was . I am sure it was not father . I could not say it was Mr . Curtis who told me that they were not wanted , and I had better take them back . Mr . Curtis—Good God !

    Mr . Prendergast —Oh , yes , Good God ! We understand that . ( A laugh . ) Witness—I can't swear whether it was or was not he who told me so . The sheet now produced was new when I married . The fellow can be brought here . It is off the same piece . I don't know who supplied them . The girls never slept in union blankets in my house . They could not mistake this sheet for a union sheet . I don't know anything about union blankets . I have passed by them , but I don't know that they are like those now produced . The sheet which lay on my mother ' s carpet was not brought to my house . I don't know where the new things were bought when I was married , or who supplied the sheets for the servant's bed . I did not say that Mr . Bridger supplied me with grocery for the first two years . I bought from him occasionally , and sometimes from others . Where I bought my teal bought my sugar . ( The witness produced a bill for 2 Slbs , of suuar in 1841 , as bought by herlrom Mr . Baker , at llomsey . )

    Mr . Assistant-Commissioner—But you were not married in 1841 . Witness—But I have bought sugar I know . Mr . Prendergast—But you have sworn that you have bought this i of a cwt . of sugar for yonr own use dated September , 1841 , and paid in January , 1843 , and you were marriedinMarchfollowing ? —Yes , but I mistook this bill altogether , I was confused . I have bought sugar . Mr . Holly can tell you who supplied us regularly . I have bought sugar from Mr . Parker . Mr . Prendergast—Well , that is one of the documents for the defence ( throwing down the bill ) . My former servants , Cowdery , Banks , and Laishley , I saw at the cottage over the way the first day Icame , but I did not bring the . bed there . I did not show

    it at any time , nor the sheets . It was not my business to do that , or to get any one else to do it . I don't know that I ever bought any soap in Andover but white soap . Where did you buy the soap you sent here ?—I bought in London , at Winchester , and Romsey , j of a cwt . at a time . I have bought it at Mrs . Policy ' s in London . The witness produced a paper , which Mr . Prendergast was about to look at , but Mr . Missing objected to his doing so . Mr . Prarker ruled that he might do so . The paper was a bill , dated Feb . 25 , 1 S 15 . Mr . Parker—Where does Mrs . Policy live ? Witness—I can't tell you her direction , but her brother-in-law ' s—81 , Newgate-street .

    Mr . Parker ( reading the paper)—31 , Newgatestreet , Cripps and Co ., wholesale stationers . Witness—The soap came through that gentleman ' s hands . We deal with him . By Mr . Prendergast—I have bought some soap I sent here at Romsey . I have had some of Mr . Holly ' s shirts once or twice washed here since last Christmas . Going back to the first , I had my washing done here during nineteen months . I bought soap to send here of the same persons I have mentioned , but I have no bills of it . 1 have bills of an after date , and before , but not one during the nineteen months . I did not always get bills . I don't know that I ever got a Salisbury bill , or a London bill , or a Stockbridge bill , or a Romsey-bill , or an Andover bill , or a Winchester bill , during that nineteen months . The soap 1 bought was in colour brown , like the union soap , but rather a lighter colour when compared . It looked better to me when I saw them together , but that was not very often .

    You can ' t at all tell me where it came from during that nineteen months ?—I can tell you the names , but I have not the bills ; I bought it of Baker of Romsey , lludge of Winchester , a shop in tho marketplace at Salisbury , the name of which I cannot recollect . Edmund Bishop Hawkins , examined by Mr . Missing—I am a draper residing in this town . I remember being applied to by Mrs . M'Dougal for flock to make a bed . We call it rugging . I think it was on the lfth of March , 1812 . I procured some . I

    do not keep the article by me . 1 was paid for it by Mr . M'Dougal . ( Thewitness referred to his books . ) It was paid for with other things . There are entries in tho waste-book , journal , and ledger ; but they are not my own making , except in the ledger . ( The witness examined the bed , opened a corner of it , and produced some of the flock . ) That is the kind of rugsing I furnished to Mr . M'Dougal . ( The master produced a quantity of Hock from the house . ) That I sold seems to have got hard from use , but they appear to be precisely the same thing . A person might mistake one for the other .

    Would the 231 b . of rugging you sold appear to have been about the quantity in the bed here ?—I caunot say . " By Mr . Prendergast—It is entered in the wastehook , 23 fl : > . of rugging to the guardians of the Andover union . It is altered . Probably the mistake was discovered . I did not alter it . One of my men , who has left mc , made the entry . ( The original entry was scratched across with a pen , and the name " Mrs . M'Dougal" substituted for "the guardians of Andover . " ) In the journal it is entered to Mrs . M'Dougal . I don't know when the alteration was made . 1 can swear it was made before the journal was made up . I did not see it made . Every month we make np the journal , and then I post the ledger . I usually do It every month . £ 4 ISs . is entered in tha ledger to Mrs . M'Dougal .

    Mr . Prendergast—Does this alteration appear to have been done at the same time and in the same ink ? It is in the same young man ' s handwriting . He is now in a wholesale house in London . 1 can swear that the original entry aud the correction arc both in the same hand . The bill containing the item of " rugging" was paid with other things in July , 1 S 42 . I received it in cash , not by cheque . There is an ciitn- of mv own in the wastebook , "Mrs . M'Dougal , bvcash , £ 6 lis . lid . " Dad it been a cheque , probably I should have mentioned it .

    I never received a cheque from Mr . M'Dougal on his own account . I supply the union with sheets . They are altogether a different thing from the stout calico sheet produced by the last witness . The width of the unmade sheeting would be about the width of that of which this is made . I served the union with flock , the same article as that in the bed produced . The sheeting is what wc call Forfar sheeting . A union sheet wasproduced . it was very coarse and brown . ) That is the sort I supplied to * the union since the house was opened .

    Stephen Holly sworn , and examined by Mr . Missing —I cany on the business of a parchment-maker at Stockbridge , as much , I think , as any one in the trade . I don't know but that business is my own . I don't know that any one has a better right to it . 1 have visited the union occasionally since my marriage . I never at any time took home i ' n my trap bed linen belonging to the union , nor any papers of tea . I never saw such a thing in mylifo . I have taken away no cheese , soap , or candles , nor any article of food or clothing , from the union to mj house at Stockbridge . I never knew of any such articles being brought to my house by either Mr . or Mrs . M'Dougal . I travel about three days a week in my business , to Newbury , Winchester , Basingstoke , all through the country—London very often . Isometimes £ 0 on these journeys without my wife . I have most

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    of those times purchased housekeeping articles . I never bought tea in ounce papers . Ineverknow'd an ounce paper come in my house in my life . I don't buy such a small quantity . I generally buy sugar a quarter of a hundredweight at a time , unless lump sugar , which I bought at the rate of 141 b . or I 5 lb . Occasionally , when we ' ve been short , missus has sent out for a pound or so . When my -wife was out with me she bought sugar at any shop , she was not parti , cular where . ( Witness looked at the calico sheet produced in court by his wife . ) I don't very often make the bed myself , but that ' s the "quilt" that was in my house before I married . My sister kept the house for me until the time I was married . We were both married on the same day . " . " .. "

    Cross-examined by Mr . Prendergast —Where is she?—I don't know , I ba ' nt aseen her . I never made my servant ' s bed , but I know what I bought before I was married . I never hemmed ' em , nor ironed ' em . I have seen ' em come home , and looked that they were all rig ht . I never counted ' em . Missus did , and sometimes the servants . I did not buy sheeting before I was married . I bought readymade sheets at sales . I might have bought sheets at Stockbridge , or Romsey , or I can't say where . I can't say now many sheets I bought at Romsey . Perhaps two or three there or at Stockbridge . I can't say at which place . I bought sheets at one of the places . I bought either two or three , not four .

    Do they call three a pair of sheets ?—I don't understand it . ( A laugh . ) I bought a bed . I did not buy blankets . I buy new blankets and old sheets . I bought old sheets to give to the servants after wo had done with ' em . I slept in ' em . I can't say how long I used ' em . I might have bought ' em about three years before I was married . They were sometimes off and sometimes on , and sometimes in the wash all that time . I don't know whether my wife or my sister afterwards gave them to the servants . I bought the bed at the same sale I bought the sheets , and a good many things besides . It was Mr . Hulbert ' s sale at Stockbridge , or at one at Romsey . I bought a bed at both places , and sheets only at one . I bought blankets .

    You told me that you always bought new blankets just now , did ' ntyou ?—No , not always . I boughtold ones too at a sale by auction . I don't say where I bought the old blankets . Did you not just now give me a reason why you bought new blankets ?—I don't know . I did not buy new blankets at a sale . Can you give me the name of the grocer who supplied you with tea and sugar during the first two years after your marriage ?—I buy things at any shop where I be , at different places , where it suits me . Sometimes at Mr . Starkie ' s , in London . I don't take money in Stockbridge , so I don't buy there . I think I bought 21 b . of tea in London during that two years , but I don't know what the name was over the door .

    I didn't put it down . My wife has bought in Andover lib ., or $ lb ., or a Jib . I have bought some ol a travelling teaman , named Heslop , a Scotchman , who lives in Southampton , about a quarter of a pound at a time . Mr . Prendergast proposed to call the two servants to question them as to the identity of- the bed and bedding . Mr , Missing objected on the grounds so frequently repeated . Mr . Prendergast said , it was an every-day practice to recall witnesses to identify property . Mr . Parker—Certainly , it would have been more desirable to have those sheets produced , at the time the witnesses were examined . That they were hot may be accounted for by the manner in which

    the charges were presented , and the omission—nothing mor ( J—to give those specific details which Mr . May promised me should be furnished to Mr . M'Dougal . As that was not done , we must secure the evidence in the best way we can . As the sheets and bedding are now here , we will call the witnesses and ask them if these are the sheets , and this the bed , they used at Stockbridge . Sarah Cowdery , sworn and examined by Mr . Prendergast—I was the first servant to Mrs . Holly . The sheets produced are neither of them those I slept in or upon while there . I am quite sure oi that on a second inspection . It was not of the same kind of stuff at all .

    Mr . Missing—Look at the . bed .. Is that the bed yon slept on 1—No , sir , it is not . And all your evidence is as true as that , is it ?—I am quite certain that is not the bed . It was like the bed at the union . This is not at all like it . Bring one of the union beds and compare them—anybody can tell the difference . The blankets do not appear to be the same . They were all new when I went there . By Mr . Prendergast—The coarser sheet was not one I slept in . The sheets I did use were much browner . One of these sheets is calico , the other is coarser stuff . ( A union sheet was shown to . the witness . ) That is more like the sheets I had at Stockbridge , only they were not so new . They had been washed more a good deal .

    Mary Ann Banks sworn , and examined by Mr . Prendergast—I am in service at Andover now . Among the sheets the witness picked out the union sheet and said , That is the sort of sheet' I slept in when I was in service at Stockbridge , but not so

    coarse or so new . By Mr . Missing—The bed is the same I slept on at Stockbridge , I ' m confident . That is the same pillow . Cowdery left that service in July , and I went there in the December following . This is the bedtick I got out of the press for mistress before the marriage of Mr . Holly . By Mr . Parker—I picked some of the flock . Mr . Missing ( addressing the Commissioner ) said he should be unable to go on with any other case today , not expecting so speedy a resumption of the inquiry . He trusted that Mr . Parker would give a few days , as he had formerly intimated he would , to get up the defence of his client . It would be totally impossible to make a defence under existing

    circumstances . Mr . Prendergast observed , that those who had taken the evidence for the master must have made him acquainted with what had been charged ; so far he had an advantage . But an adjournment for a day he ( Mr . Prendergast ) would not object to . Mr . Parker alluded to the adjournment that had taken place last week , and said that he was willing to agree to an adjournment , but he hoped the master would be prepared at an early day to go into his defence . Mr . Missing , after consulting with Mi ' . Curtis and the defendant , asked for a week . Mr . Parker said it would be very inconvenient to adjourn for so long a period . It was ultimately agreed that the inquiry should be adjourned until Tuesday morning next , at ten o ' clock . AxnovEK , Sept . 19 .

    Tho Poor Law Commissioners seem to entertain the opinion that there was no ground for a further adjournment ofthe inquiry to enable the master to get up his defence . They , therefore , sent down their Assistant-Commissioner on the same day that he left this place , directing him to rescind his adjournment , and to proceed with the inquiry , as the following letters show : — " Poor Law Commission . office , Somerset-house , Sept . 18 , 1815 . " Sir , —I am directed by the Poor Law Commissioners to enclose to you , for your information , the accompanying copy of a letter , which the commissioners have this day addressed to Mr . M'Dougal , the master of the Andovsr Union worlihouso . " I am , Sir , your most obedient servant , " Geome Coode , Assistant Secretary . " To P . C . "Westlake , Esq ., Andover . "

    ( Copy . ) " Poor Law Commissioners ' -office , Somerset-lious » , Sept . 18 , 1845 . " Sir , —I am directed by the Poor law Commissioners to state that they have this day had an interview with their assistant-commissioner , Mr . Parker . " The commissioners are informed by him , that at your request , and with th « consent of Mr . Westlake ' * counsel , Mr . Parker has adjourned the inquiry into your conduct on Tuesday next , when you would proceed with your defence to the charges preferred against you . " The commissioners are of opinion that an officer against whom charges of the kind involved in tho investigation now pending in the Andover Union havo heen made on oath , is liable to be called upon to give an explanation and enter upon his defence with the least pessible delay .

    " The time which has * lready elapsed since the investigation began has been amply sufficient , in the opinion of th » commissioners , to enable you to get together the materials necessary for your defence , especially as most of the charges relate to facts to be proved , or disproved , by witnesses on the spot . " Ilad tho hoard of guardians acceded to the recommendation of the commissioners and suspended you ( a proceeding which would neither have assumed your guilt , nor have prejudiced any of jour rights ) , the commissioners mijjht have taken a different view of the course they now think it fit to » dopt . "As it is , the commissioners have requested Mr . Parker to return to Andover forthwith ; and they must call upon you to proceed with your defence either tomorrow or Saturday , and continue with it from day to daj .

    « i inquiry by an assistant-commisssoncv is not a court constituted in such a manner that an adjournment to a future day can vitiate proceedings taken in the interval , and the commissioners , in thus exercising the discretion necessarily reserved to their board , feel confident that they are not inflicting upon you any substantial injustice . " I am , Sir , jour most obedient servant , " George Coode , Assistant-Secretary . » To Mr . M'Dougal , Master of the Union-workhouse , Andover . " These sudden and erratic flirtings of the assistantcommissioner were , as may easily be conceived , productive of great inconvenience to the parties concerned in carrying on the inquiry . Mr . Prendergast went to London , and had only just got home , when he received an intimation of the change of arrangement , and was immediatel y compelled to return ° to Andover . A coiTespondencc ensued between Mr . Parker and Mr . \ tcstloke this morning , in vbieh the former

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    stated that he should proceed to the workhouse at twelve o ' clock , for the purpose of receiving from the master the names of the witnesses whom Tie intends to call in his defence . Mr . Westlake proffered the names of the witnesses to support the charges yet untouched , but , to his great astonishment , he was informed in a note from the assistant-commissioner , that it was not his intention to enter upon those charges , not having received any instructions from the Poor Law Commissioners . Really , Mr . Parker ' s memory is sadly at fault sometimes , for if he refer to the ^ letters from the Poor Law Commissioners to Mr . Westlake . he will find that they have given that

    gentleman an assurance that all the charges should be duly investigated . Those which remain unopened are of the most direct and important nature , relating to cruelty , and the flogging of women with the " cat o' two tails , " contrary to the regulations of the Poor Law Commissioners , and the ringing of the changes on articles supplied for the use of the union by sending away large quantities of those articles , and receiving in return smaller quantities of a superior quality . If Mr . Parker persist in declining to hear these charges , application will bo made to the commissioners in London to fulfil the promise thai tkej should be investigated .

    At twelve o ' clock , according to appointment , Mr . Parker came to the board-room ot the workhouse . Mr . Prendergast , on the one side , and Mr . Curtis on the other , were in attendance , Mr . Parker , addressing Mr . Curtis , apprised him that the commissioners had directed him to proceed with the inquiry , and he was bound to obey them , lie proposed , therefore , to-day to receive the names of witnesses to be examined for the defence , and issue summonses , and to commence hearing them

    tomorrow . Mr . Curtis said he was unprepared to give the names of several witnesses , because he did not know that they would give evidence . He must first ascertain that point . Mr . Prendergast thought these delays hard upon the persons who had to follow up the charges made against the master . Mr . Curtis said he had some witnesses who were ready and willing to { rive evidence , and he would call them to-morrow , but he would not ask Mr . Parker to issue summonses for them , nor for the others .

    Mr . Parker said he must , in complianceWith the directions ofthe commisioners , press this inquiry with the utmost rapidity ; as Mr . Curtis declined asking for summonses he should go through the evidence and select the names of those witnesses whom he thought important for the defence , and summon them accordinglyuponhisown responsibility , by the hands of Mr . Moore , a sheriff's officer . So then , the master declining to furnish evidence for the defence , tub commisionek does so for him . In answer to a question from Mr . Prendergast , Mr . Parker said he had no instructions to enter upon the other charges . Adjourned . Andover , Sept . 20 .

    FIFTEENTH DAT . At the opening of the court this morning , Mr . Missing inquired of . the Assistant-Commissioner whether Mr . Mitchiner had furnished any report of his investigation of the master ' s accounts and the union books ; and , if so , whether that report should be read ? Mr . Parker said , he was in possesion of such a report . Mr . Prendergast—We blame the false entries . If the books are all right upon the face of them , the greater the fraud . Mr . Missing—It is easy to say that . Mr . Prendergast—But we have proved them to be false . We had a tradesman ' s books here the other day , and there was a false entry in the waste-book , consequently the entries in the journal and ledger were false also . The books are falsely kept .

    Mr . Parker read the report , which was an elaborate defence of the master , instead of a mere " aud it of his accounts" as it purported to be . It had evidently been drawn up " for the nonce , " and was full of misapprehensions and gratuitous explanations of the master ' s position , and even speculations as to intentions . When it was finished reading , Mr . Prendergast said , this reminds me of the boy who had to spend 3 d . for his master , and fully accounted for dd . ; but his master did not think him a bit more honest .

    I will undertake to prove that these books are false throughout , and that from the commencement the master has carried on a regular system of fraud . Mr . Missing—What right have you to say so ? Mr . Prendergast—What right have you to put in such a document a- ; that ? Mr . Missing—I put it in as part of the defence . Mr . Prendergast—You have no right to do it . It is not . a legal document . We say the entries are false , and this gentleman says they are consistently false .

    DEFENCE IX ASfeWElt TO THE CHARGES OF DRUNKENNESS . The Rev . Chistopher Dodson , sworn and examined by Mr . Missing—I am chairman of the board of guardians of this union , and have been so since its establishment , for nine or ten years . I have been well acquainted with Mr . M'Dougal during the whole of that time . What has been his general character for honesty and correct conduct ?—Perfectly good . Mr . Prendergast—That is , general character 1 Mr . Missing—Yes . Cross-examined by Mr . Prendergast—I remember Mr . Westlake calling upon me in reference to this matter . He told me he had some charges against Mr . M'Dougal .

    Do you mean to swear that you never heard Mr . M'Dougal was a person of drunken habits ? I do . I have heard that he was merry on Saturday nights . ( A laugh . ) A gentleman oi this town told me since this inquiry began . I think it was Me . Clark . He said he had met tho master looking very nierry on a Saturday evening , walking home . I have heard that he was a person of drunken habits from Mr . Westlake , but not before this inquiry . Ilad you heard that he was also irregular with regard to women ?—Never in my life . I had not a suspicion of it . Did you say to Mr . Westlake , when he told you he had charges against the master , "What is it ? Drunkenness ?"—I don't recollect . If I don't

    remember , I don't . I cannot remember that I did . I can say no more . I will not swear that I did not , but I would rather swear I did not than I did . Mr . Prendergast—Very likely . But we don ' t want to know what yov , woxdd rather swear . Will you swear that you did not ? Witness—I will not . I did not say " women . " I never dreamt of it . I believe I did not . I would not undertake to swear that I did not . I know the guardians . None of them ever mentioned to me that the master was a person given to drinking . I am a magistrate of the county , not for the borough . I do not , therefore , know the constables of the town . 1 am here every Saturday , and leave seldom later than four o ' clock .

    The Rev . Charles Henry Redding , vicar of Andover , examined by Mr . Missing—1 am chaplain to the union workhouse . I have known Mr . M'Dougal from the commencement of the union . His general character during that time , as far as it has been known to me , was perfectly satisfactory . Octavius Hammond examined—1 am a surgeon , residing in Andover . I was medical officer to the workhouse from March , 1 S 3 S , to March , 1 SS 9 . I knew Mr . M'Dougal during that period . I would rather speak more particularly of his character during the time I was surgeon to this house . I never knew him act in any way unbecoming or unfitting his station as master of this house . As far as his general character has come to my knowledge it has corresponded with what I have already said . Of course I don't speak of what I have heard within the last fortnight .

    Mr . Prendergast objected to evidence except as to general character . Mr . Missing wished to know whether his learned friend wished to abide by all the technicalities of a court of law ? Mr . Prendergast said , it was a question for the Assistant-Commissioner to decide . Mr . Parker—1 shall take any particular fact hearing on general character . Witness—I was going to say that I thought his conduct to the inmates humane and kind . Mr . Prendergast—That is not evidence . Witness ( laughing)—I don't care for that , as long as I get it out . That is six years ago you speak of ?—Yes . If the old men complained of not getting those allowances , would you consider him humane and kind ? —I never heard tliac they did not get their allowances . I think they had their allowances .

    That is your supposition . Perhaps you would expect that the people and the children would complain to you ?—I see no reason why they should not . I have had access to them at all hours . They mHit have complained to me if they wished . The children did not come crying to . mc and say they had not « ot then-bread and butter . ( A laugh . ) f have becnui the habit of coming to the house occasionall y since I was medical officer . I speak of occasions of indisposition , but not among the paupers , when I attended the master ' s lamily , and on other occasions . 1 can't say how many times . I can't say once a year

    During the last six years have vou been here s-x times?—Most unquestionably , and more . I won't say eight times . I am sure it averages once a year I wont say more . I might have visited the house halt a dozentimes within the last month , and previous to tho inquiry 1 never saw the master drunk . I have heard ot Ins being in liquor , and I have generally disbelieved it . A laugh . ) I have heard that " n one or two occasions he was so on Saturday evenings , ikcrp was 110 specific occasion on which I had reason to believe it , I never heard of his having been drunk in this House .

    Ihe Rev G . Watson Smythc exainined-I am a P ^ te " it * ATm ° > ¥ financo committee . I have known Mr . M'Dougal three years . His general character or honesty 1 should say , was good , from my capacity as one ot the finance committee ; and as to his humanity , I have always had a very high opinion from my own observation and from inquiries of people who have been in the workhouse .

    The Andover Abominations. Jbbjeak Down O...

    Mr . Prendergast—Have they not compared linn withhiswife?—yes . ¦ ¦ Have they not said that he was a good sort ot person compared with his wife ?—Not exactly ; but I have asked my parishioners who have been in the house how they liked the house and the conduct of the master . They said , " Very well . " Ihave asked about the matron ; and—Mr . Prendergast—I dont want that , Mr . Parker decided on receiving it . Witness—They said they did not like her . They complained of her being severe . I do not live in Andover . I am not in the town on Saturday

    evenings . I leave about four or five o ' clock . I have never heard that the master was occasionally drunk before this inquiry . I have heard many persons speak of it since who havo been in public-houses with him , and they told me , one and all , they had never seen him drunk . He is under very peculiar temptations of being asked by different people to have glasses of beer and spirits . I have heard also , from others who were not present with him , that he has been drunk . Respectable people told me the reverse . I don't go to public-houses . 1 scarcely know the sound of the Eight Bells . I pass it often . I go to the Star every day I come into the town .

    Mr , Parker asked the witness if the term " severe meant " strict ? " He replied that he thought it meant strict , but hot unkind . Mr . Prendergast—Ask him if they said she was a devil t ( Laughter . ) Witness—They did not . Nor a devil of a temper ?—That is another thing . I am not sure that they said that . I will not swear that they did not . Mr . Henry Earle , a solicitor of the tofrn , examined . —I was auditor ofthe union lip to within the last few weeks , for more than two years . During that time I investigate ' d Mr . M'Dougal ' s accounts generally . My opinion is that he was always extremely correct in his accounts , and rendered every assistance in his power to the committee in going through them .

    Cross-examined—In going through the accounts did you find the establishment charge for beer correspond with the Medical Relief and Sick Diet Book ?—I found that tho beer brought into the house was always certified by the finance committee to . be correct . I dare say they did that ; but did you compare the quantity stated to be consumed in the Medical Relief or Sick Diet Book with the quantity stated to be consumed in the Establishment Book ?—No ; I don't think that would be much test , and unless I compared the books with store , I should not like to say anything on that point . I never heard any reports of his drunkenness until this inquiry . I was quire surprised when I did hear them . Is the master entitled to double rations ?—I should not like to speak upon that point without looking at the books .

    Well , but you have been auditor for a long time , tell us what quantity of rations he has a right to subtract from the whole for himself ?—I cannot speak to that without the books . But that is a sort of principle , you know , to guide you in the investigation of the accounts . If you had compared these books , you would , I think , have found how much he was entitled to take for himself , would you not ?—Idon'tremcmber .

    RESIGNATION OF THE MASTER . Mr . Missing now rose , and addressing the Assistant-Commissioner , said , —I am placed in an awkward and unpleasant position . The extraordinary and most unprecedented circumstance of the resumption ofthe inquiry to-day , after the adjournment you were so kind as to grant , and which was acceded to by the other side , has placed it entirely out of ray power , and that of Mr . Curtis , to be prepared with the necessary evidence to counteract the charges of improper conduct with regard to the female inmates preferred against us . You are , no doubt , aware , sir ,

    that charges of that description arc most easy to be made and most difficult to disprove . Such offences , from their very nature , are generally committed in secret , and not in tho presence of third parties . Therefore , it is only by a minute examination of the evidence given in accusing the party , and by documentary evidence , probably bearing upon that statement , that we could , under the most favourable circumstances , rebut such evidence . The charges have been preferred to the Poor Law Commissioners . We asked for time to enable us to make our defence to them . Time was granted by you , but it has been refused by the Poor Law Commissioners ; and the

    consequence ISMr . Parker—I cannot hear any observations upon the course the Poor Law Commissioners have thought fit to adopt . My instructions are to proceed with the inquiry , and I apprehend you are going to tell me what you are about to do . Mr . Missing—The consequence is , that inasmuch as we cannot lay before the public the defence of Mr . M'Dougal In a shape satisfactory either to ourselves or to the public , I take upon myself the responsibility of advising Mr . M'Dougal to withdraw from this

    inquiry altogether . I shall , therefore , neither call any witnesses nor attend further upon this inquiry . I beg to state also , that it is Mr , M'Dougal ' s intention to tender his resignation to the board of guardians . Mr . Parker—Is that course intended to stop the inquiry ? Mr . Missing—I do not mean to stop the inquiry , but to withdraw from it as the legal adviser of Mr . M'Dougal ; and Mr . Curtis will do so too . I have to express to you , sir , before I leave , my sincere thanks for the great courtesy you have shown to me throughout . I have , then , no further evidence to offer .

    Mr . Prendergast—That is just the sort of evidence 1 expected you would offer—none at all . ( Laughter . ) Mr . Missing , Mr . Curtis , and their client then left the hall , and proceeded to the board-room . They were soon followed by the Assistant-Commissioner . The unexpected announcement created much surprise among the auditory , and was the subject of animated conversation during the absence of Mr . Parker , who returned in about an hour , and having filled up a summons , which he sent out by Moore , the summoning-officer , he informed Mr . Prendergast that he had summoned the master to attend the inquiry . The master came in , and resumed his former seat . Mr . Parker said—In consequence of the withdrawal of yourself and your legal advisers , I feel compelled , in pursuing the inquiry , to summon you as a witness . I shall put the questions to the witnesses myself .

    The following persons , whom tho Assistant Commissioner had named on the previous day , were then called : — Mr . CharlesMatcham , landlord ofthe Globe Inn , examined—1 have often seen Mr . M'Dougal at ray house in the afternoon and evening of Saturdays , I have seen him intoxicated half a dozen times perhaps . I have kept tho house four years and a half . I think he was not capable of managing any business . lie could walk home except on one occasion , when he could not walkhome . It hasbeenmostly in the evening that I have seen him drunk . I never saw him so in the day-time .

    By Mr . Prendergast—He generally left my house early in the evening . Mr . William Philip Devon examined—I am landlord of the George Inn , Andover . Mr . M'Dougal has not . much frequented my house ( 'duiing the last two or three years . I have seen him tho worse for liquor three or four years ago . I believe on a Saturday night . I have not often seen him intoxicated . By the worse for liquor , I mean he had some difficult v in walking ; that was from ten to eleven o ' clock at night , Ihave not seen him so in the day-time .

    By Mr . Prendergast—That was the last occasion which I mentioned . There was some disturbance in my house on a former occasion , when some soldiers were quartered on mc . He was intoxicated , and addressing the soldiers who were in the market room , ssad " Soldiers , retire ! Go to bed ! " They refused to mind him , and said their commanding officer was present , and he had nothing to do with them . There was a little bother ; there was no fight , but what vou gentlemen would call "jaw . " ( A laugh . ) They called eacli other hard names .

    Mr . Prendergast—Tho word "jaw" is not in my vocabulary . \ A laugh . ) _ Mr . T . Pontin examined—I am landlord of the Masons Arms-inn . Mr . M'Dougal has frequented my house . I havo seen him drunk several times , perhaps twenty , during tho three years and a half 1 have kept the Masons' Arms . By drunk I mean that he was not capable of taking care of himself . It was m the evening , and principally on Saturdays . I should say I had seen him incapable of taking care of himself eight or ten times . By Mr . Prendcreast—Antonv . the nortor ' waul . 1

    come for him sometimes , and young M'Dougal sonictimes , and finally Mrs . M'Dougal would come and letch lather , son , and porter . I don't mean to say that the son and porter were tipsy . ( A laugh . ) She would see them all out , and follow him . Sometimes the son would come first , and wait half an hour or an hour , and then the porter would come , and wait sometimes an hour , or perhaps more , and then the mistress would come . This would take place at ten , eleven , or twelve o ' clock , and on one occasion it was later than that . He was rather inclined to sing on those occasions .

    Did ho get on very well?—I am not much of a judge of music . ( A laugh . ) Mr . Parker—1 havo not examined all the witnesses 1 have summoned . If I find it necessary I must go on on Monday . I have not yet had an opportunity of collecting the names of parties residing in diflerent parts , and some in London . There are Mr . Fitch , Mrs . Policy , Mr . Baker , of Romsey , and somebody at Winchester and Salisbury , whose names I do not know . As Mr . M'Dougal has resigned , I shall report what evidence I have received to the Poor Law Commissioners , and ask them if I am to go on and take other evidence on these charges . In answer to a question by Mr . Prendergast . The Assistant-Commissioner further statcii , that it was uncertain that ho should hold a court ou Motday ; with regard to other charges , ho had no instructions to investigate them .

    The Andover Abominations. Jbbjeak Down O...

    Mr . Prendergast said , they were of the utmost im portance , not only to Mr . M'Dougal , but to the rate payers of the whole union . Adjourned .

    MORK RESIGNATIONS . After Mr . Missing announced tho intention of Li client to resign , they proceeded together to tho board-room , where ho repeated the observations he had just before addressed to the Assistant-Comm jg , sioner , and presented a long letter from M'Dougal to the board , in which those observations were con , siderably amplified , and which ended with a string of thanks for the many kindnesses he had received from the guardians since he had filled the office of master of the union . This letter must have be en prepared before tho proceedings of the day com . menced . In fact , they appear up to that point to have been preconcerted . The tendering of the master ' s resignation seemed to take the generality of them by surprise , more especially those who had that very morning given him so good a character upon their oaths . It ap . peared , however , that they felt themselves bound to accent his resignation .

    Mr . Missing , in the course of his remarks upon the subject , said ( pointing to the master ) that the Poor Law Commissioners were really visiting the sins ofthe guardians on the head of that unfortunate hull , vidual . The guardians , it will be seen , think themselves more sinned against than sinning . Mr . Parker said , tbat as the master had acted contrary to the regulations of the Poor Law ConmuV sioners , they did not think him a fit person to remain any longer in the workhouse . He should , therefore ,

    be instantly removed . He ( Mr . Parker ) had a person ready , who was well accustomed to the details of the management of a workhouse under the old law , and who , no doubt , would be able to attend to do the duty here until a new master should be appointed . It was then proposed that an election of a new master should take place that day fortnight ; but as Weyhill fair would take place in about three weeks , Weyhill being close to Andover , and many of tha guardians interested in it , it was ultimately settled that it should be postponed for a month .

    While tiiis subject was under ] discussion Mr . Parker had left the room to converse with Mr . Missing ; and before he returned M'Dougal was sent for by tha Chairman and asked if he would stay a month to take care of the house ? He said , he was so thankful to the board for all their kindness , that he would stay twelve months , or as long as he lived , if they wished it . When Mr . Parker returned , and found that tlm hoard had decided on retaining M'Dougal to do the duties of master for another month , ho appeared greatly disconcerted , and very emphatically expressed his disapprobation of the course the guardians had just taken . A very stormy discussion ensued , during wliicJ i Mr . Dodson and Mr . Smythe , the two clergymen , said they very sincerely regretted that the master had resigned , and that he had come to that determination , for they had as much confidence in him

    as ever . Mr . Dodson ( the Chairman ) ended the altercation by saying , that " though he did not wish to fly in tho face of the Poor Law Commissioners , if he was to bo drilled in every way they thought proper , he should make his bow to them ; " and so saying he took np his hat , and walked away . Mr . Barnes , the vice-chairman , said he should do the same , and so he did . . Mr J . Lywood followed their example , remarking that the Commissioners might get somebody else ; he was not going to be humbugged by such people as they . And then the whole board broke up in most admired disorder . Andover , Monday , Sew . 22 .

    The excitement created by the news that the master had resigned , and also the chairman , vice-chairman , and others of the guardians , has been intense . Saturday being market-day , the town was more than usually full of strangers ; who , with the great body of the inhabitants , hailed these events with hearty satisfaction , considering the departure of the master and his men as " a good riddance , " and a circumstance likely to lead to some improvement in tho management of the union . It is almost impossible to say how many of the guardians have not intimated their intention of going without the camp , and bearing reproach with their immaculate brother-delinquents . It is easy enough to tell what is the moving cause of this desertion of office : the resignation or dismissal of the master necessarily involves those in censure who so long have had him under their control , and have suffered him to pursue a course which has led to such a result .

    In addition to the statement of what took place at the stormy meeting ofthe board on Saturday , Ihear that the assistant commissioner was so deeply affected that he almost shed tears while he expostulated with the unruly members of that board , tolling them , that throughout the inquiry lie had leaned towards them and the accused , and endeavoured to further their views , so much so as to bring down upon him tho condemnation ofthe Poor Law Commissioners ; and this was his reward . He had stood b y them , but now they would desert him . The whole ofthe proceedings that morning evinced that they had been artfully prearranged . The master had determined upon sending in his resignation , and a letter for that purpose was prepared , written , sealed , and directed to the

    guardians , announcing that determination , and was actually in the pouch of his legal adviser before the proceedings of the day began . But it was deemed advisable not to heat a retreat without an attempt fo plaister up the damaged reputation of the accused , not by evidence to rebut the facts deposed to , but by an Old Bailey trick of calling accomplices to give him a character . They were clergymen , three in number , and their evidence has eVicited almost universal contempt . The church has not been so thinly attended for years as it was yesterday . The rain mhjlit account for this in some measure , but I know some who stayed away solely on account of the disgust created in their minds by the conductof the clergy throughout the inquiry , and particularly on Saturday last . Their

    evidence was perfectly valueless to t \\ civ prolcye ; ib was ofthe same kind which a poacher once produced to rebut the testimony of two men who saw him kill a hare ; he brought ten men to prove that they did not see him do so . In this case , however , there was an important difference , the majority ©! 'tho witnesses being those who had seen the master drunk rcjieatcdly , and the meagre minority those who professed neither to have seen nor heard of such a thing , though one ef them confessed that the master would get ' merry " on Saturday nights . The Kev . G . W . Smythe was asked by Mr . Prendergast more than once or twice whether or no some persons who had been inmates ot

    the house had not told him that the mistress was a perfect devil ? In vain was the question repeated ; the rev . witness as often said he had not been so told . But why did the learned counsel so poinlcdlv r " question again and again ? Bccauee some days Won " , while in conversation , the rev . witness did actually tell him that persons had so described the mistress to him . The rev . gentleman , as okc ofthe witnesses said , seems to have a memory like a rabbit ' s toil ,--very short . But this is the kind of evidence n-hiclt was used to raise up a sort of masked battery , wuier which the soldier-master might retreat ; ami a "Poore" defence it afforded , although a gallant lieutenant volunteered his professional aid . .

    , The ingeniously constructed report of the eminent accountant" furnished no better shelter , bew " Mr . Parker proceeded to read it he said that . "''• Shaw had lent some assistance to Mr . Mitchiner hi getting it up , and had given it Lis sanction , or nf least had made no objection to any of its statements-Now , what is the fact ? Mr . Shaw never saw t hat report until late on Saturday evening , when J ' ' - Parker called upon him and ' showed it to liim . endeavouring then to secure the sanction which in tne morning he alleged to have been given . Mr . Sna « . however , on perusing the report could not cxprc » himself satisfied with it , and he is surprised tli ; it -

    Mitchiner should ( if he did ) tell the assistunt-eoin ' missioner that he had sanctioned any such rep 0 "' which he declares to be so got up as carefully to conceal everything that would tell against the master , and to make a case in his favour by clever management . It is a fact , that Mr . Shaw one day I'o 3 ltl J objected to the course the " eminent accounUin was taking , and in order that there might bo nn mis * take , wrote a note to him expressing his di ssatisfaction , pointing out certain errors , and reque «"' f attention thereto . Mr . Shaw discovered , by comparing the house-provision book with the ledger , tl'St ™ beef days the beef was short four or five pounds . ' ' master exnlained this bv savin ? that a family mi ?) 1 '

    came in after the meat was down to cook , and lie divided the quantity intended , say for 40 , among tnc increased number 45 ; but . to make up for tbat , " ° put in an excess of bacon on tho following SatunW ' It was further discovered that the bacon was swh « eight or nine pounds on the very Saturdays f ollowniS the Tuesdays when the beef was short . This inaj , account , to some extent , for the bone-gnawing . ' - this fact , however , the " eminent accountant taue no notice . It was well observed by Mr . l ' l-cnde-yipiS that if the books were riht the face of t ' lC 111 '

    gupon the greater must be the fraud . The report se ems w present the same aspect ; and it is no answer whatever to the charge of having deprived several panpC " of tho allowances set down against their n : ' !] ic , '' which they have sworn they never had . Mr . M ' te !" iner endeavours to make an excuse for the master in depriving the children of 4 Slb . of bread in a wcck , t >> saying that ho supplied them with milk , a » ' ., 'j ! with milk a less quantity ot bread would sullicc . , i '" this statement , ingenious as it is , goes for notmiir-Tl . ' ft bills show Hint , tl . n ovnnnsn nf rim milk avCWg ? .

    about Is . lid . per week , and the 481 b . of bread w « •" cost about Cs . 10 R , so that the master pockclcii u «« difference . Mr . Prendergast did quite ri ght m P' ^ testing against the introduction of this illega l t ment ; but it is one of the many wrong stci > s }« ^ the Assistant-Commissioner and his leg al in have taken to serve their mutual client , the mast , It proves too much ; and they must have been sow what sensible of that , or thev-would not have 1 duecd it at an in proper time . " The defence iu . i ej J to the charges oi peculation had closed ; am * ^ such evidence ought to have been g iven upon . ( Concluded in cur . seventh p age , )

• Citation
  • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 27, 1845, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_27091845/page/6/