174 THE MURDER OF AGRICULTURE 

 tion to pass an account of £836 for the opening ceremony 

 and issue your certificate?' Mr Robb asked. ' It is the 

 usual thing.' 



" The Usual Thing. 



" ' Is it the usual thing to hoodwink the auditor?' 



" ' There was no hoodwinking.' 



" ' What possible means has the Local Government 

 Board auditor of going behind your certificate and 

 ascertaining the real nature of the transaction?' 'I see 

 it now.' 



" ' If there were any hoodwinking of the Local Gov- 

 ernment Board auditor, the Guardians were privy to it?' 

 ' I suppose so.' 



"Another item referred to was fifty-nine porcelain 

 baths at £14 each, exclusive of profit, carriage and fixing. 

 They were chosen by a committee of the Guardians. 



" ' Could you not get a suitable bath of enamel at 

 £7?' Mr Robb asked. ' Yes, but enamel wears off.' 



" ' But doesn't porcelain spht?' ' Not the best porce- 

 lain,' 



" 'And nothing but the best porcelain is suitable for 

 the lucky inhabitants of Hammersmith Workhouse?' 

 Mr Robb retorted. ' You paid three times as much for 

 baths for the paupers as the small householder, the man 

 who pays for the paupers, can afford to spend on a bath 

 for himself.' 



Result of The result of this cruel waste of public money is that, 

 ^*^^ in spite of a reduction in the expenses of the Hammer- 

 smith Borough Council of one penny in the pound, they 

 have been compelled to add fourpence in the found to the 



