412 LAND REFORM 



exposing her two children, who were 5 and 9 years, 

 she said she was not begging. The Alderman : 

 Where does she live? Witness: In Pearl Street, 

 Spitalfields, sir. The prisoner, her husband, a girl of 

 19, and four boys of the ages of 17, 9, 5, and 2 years, 

 all live in one room, for which they pay 7s. The 

 Alderman: Is the husband a drunkard, officer? 

 Police-constable : No, sir ; he's a dock labourer, but 

 unfortunately cannot get work. He has done half a 

 day's work this week. The Alderman : Well, Mrs. 

 Nowell, I shall discharge you, but we shall take 

 charge of the children for you. Prisoner : Oh, sir, 

 don't take them away from me. I should not like to 

 part with them. The Alderman . I shall give you 

 I OS. out of the poor-box. The prisoner left the court 

 weeping, and the children were sent to the workhouse 

 until the court decides what is the best course for 

 their good." (" Daily Telegraph," January 22nd, 

 1904.) 



" At West Ham, William Ashworth, 43, a labourer, 

 of 4 Rendel Road, was charged with stealing a coat 

 and vest. The prisoner was seen to take the clothes 

 from a stall outside the shop, and when given into 

 custody he said to Constable Shipway, * I took the 

 things because my wife and children are starving.' 

 Mr. Fowler (the clerk) : Have you made inquiries 

 about that ? The constable : Yes, it is quite true 

 what he says. He is a dock-labourer out of work. 

 Mr. Fowler : Things are very bad for them now. Is 

 he a respectable man ? The constable : Yes, sir, but 

 he cannot find work. Mr. Gillespie (to the prisoner) : 

 Well, I shall bind you over, but if you are in trouble 

 again, you should go to the workhouse and get relief. 

 The prisoner : I have been to the relieving officer, 

 and he told me to go into the workhouse, but I did 

 not want to break my home up." ("Times," Novem- 

 ber 15th, 1904.) 



