ONE OF THE "SIX HUNDRED."

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 125, 23 November 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

ONE OF THE " SIX HUNDRED."

At the Clerkenwell Police Court, London, recently, John Hickley, 64, was charged on a warrant, " for that he, being a person able to work, and thereby wholly or in part to maintain himself, did wilfully neglect to do so, and whereby he has become chargeable to the parish of St. Fancras." Mr. Kendall Moore prosecuted on behalf of the guardians. He said the circumstances of the case were rather peculiar. The defendant was an inmate of St. Pancras Workhouse, and wasablein part to maintain himself. The prisoner, who is blind and very feeble, made a motion of dissent. Mr. Horace Smith ; What do you aay he could do ? Mr. Kendall Moore: He is a pensioner, and has means. On August 30 he asked leave from the workhouse for the purpose of drawing his pension, lie was allowed out, and he promised to bring his money back to the workhouse. Hickley, it was thought, might contribute something from his pensionmoney towards his support. He drew £7 ; but, instead of bringing any of the sum back to the workhouse, ho put the whole of it into the Post Office Bavings Bank. On his return to the workhouse he declined to allow any of the money to be taken out for his support, and the guardians had no power to touch it. Mr. Horace Smith: I see by a letter the defendant has handed to me that he is one of the Six Hnndred who charged at Balaolava. Mr. Rendall Moore : Perhaps if your Worship will say something to him the case can be settled. The defendant is under the impression that he can keep his money and remain in the workhouse at the expense of the ratepayers. Mr Horace Smith : He is one of the Light Brigade, and he says he hopes to leave the infirmary shortly. The defendant : I hope to leave in a month. The Magistrate : Who wrote this letter ? The defendant : I dictated it and a friend wrote it. Mr. Horace Smith : This is an interesting case for old-age pensions He says in his letter he is a " prisoner of war." You cannot be hard upon a man like this. The letter was as follows: — No. 1 Ward, St. Pancras Infirmary. Sib— With regard to my penbiou, I have not acted in a spirit of opposition or selfwill, but through instruction received in all I have done. lam leaving the infirmary very shortly, and shall require some money for my wants after doing so. lam hero, on speoial duty, a prisoner of war. My instructions are to wait— a standing order — and to oboy thorn in quiotness aud confidence. — Your obedieut servant, John Hicklkt, 4th Light Dragoons (ono of the 600 who ohargod at Balaolava.) Mr. Rendall Moore : I admit it is an exceptional case.

Mr. H Smith ; Yes ; and I intend to take an exceptional course. J shall adjourn it for a month.