POOR LAWS. The New Ulster Union. [Communicated by one of the Suffering Inmates.]

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 23, 8 November 1845, Page 3

POOR LAWS. The New Ulster Union. [Communicated by one of the Suffering Inmates.]

It may be recollected by most of our readers that, a few years ago, a New Union House was established in New Ulster, for the purpose of giving protection and relief to all who might come within its precincts, and for the better administration of justice. It is with regard to the treatment the poor people received at the hands of those appointed to the charge of this Union House that we call the attention of the public. Owing to the death of the Overseer, it had lapsed into great disorder under his Deputy ; therefore the Board of Guardians — or rather the Commissioner in England — with great pains, selected for the situation a Mr. Impulse, as being fully qualified to fill the important situation, and able to restore by his ability and experience the wonted peace of the establishment. Upon his arrival to take charge, the Deputy overseer resigned ; and Mr. Impulse immediately installed a Dr. Sinecure in his room (a person whom he had fell in with on his journey), and, with a few alterations, the old officers retained their posts in the "Workhouse. The Overseer had not been long in office, before he found that the Steward's coffers were empty, and that the rations of the people were sadly in arrear. Whereupon, to remedy this evil, he called together those whom he thought he could depend and rely upon for help : viz, — the Deputy-overseer, Dr. Sinecure ; the Steward, Mr. Sambo ; and the Beadle, Mr. Banmbaye. This latter person was looked upon as an oracle, fiom always vol unteering his advice rnostfreily, on every sub ject ; assuming great influence and possession of a mass of concentrated information upon every kind of work-house government, and as he had travelled far and near, and held a similar office in the East Indies, he was considered by the Overseer as a necessary, agent. Mr. Impulse proposed, for the peoples' relief, that they should issue "Tickets for Soup/ upon which his Deputy said — " he could see nothing better;" the Steward was willing to do any thing to please, — and the Beadle was ready to execute any thing that might be suggested ! — Upon which "r I ickets for Soup" were issued without limit to the inmates, drawn upon the kitchen, — the value of the soup to be paid in two years, with additional quantity as interest, The people wanting present supplies parted with them, at a great loss, to the out-door people, who supplied them with immediate necessaries. They were chiefly supplied by the Gypsies in the neighbourhood with other provisions, who would not accept the " Tickets" on any terms, which often created vexation to both parties. The Gypsies soon found out that since the "Tickets" of Mr. Impulse had been in use, the people were grown poor, and very weak ; and that they did not realize as much as formerly for their produce. They grew very dissatisfied, which ended in their committing many acts of depredation ; but Mr. Impulse, ■warned by his Clerk, Mr. Protech (who, before the establishment of the new Union, had dwelt among the Gypsies, and obtained considerable landed property from them), of their aversion to punishment, gave them presents, and desired them to behave better ; but, as might be supposed, instead of such effect it encouraged them to act with greater impunity, until some of the vagabonds, among other acts, destroyed the staff erected in the North ward to hoist the English flag on Sundays and holidays. — This aroused Impulse, who sent for assistance to a neighbouring Union, and was about to put a stop to such pranks, by letting them feel his authority ; but being influenced by Mr. Proteck, he forgave them : and to conciliate them, he ordered every Custom and restriction, injurious to their habits and trade, to be immediately done away with. He then retired to the main wing of the Union, conceiving he had obtained a victory over the hearts of a set of ruthless beings ; but he had scarce turned his back before they began again, — and finding themselves strong, they besieged the North ward entirely ;. and although valiantly resisted by the inmates and the strangers who happened to be there, they unhappily succeeded in taking the ward, routing out the people, and razing it to the ground. In this catastrophe many of the besieged and besiegers lost their lives. Since then these Gypsies have organized themselves, and although great assistance came to the Ulster Union House against them, yet they have not been subdued, and a great loss of life has been the consequence. Still Mr. Impulse and his Cleric think that they are but children, and that a little more humouring will bring them round. There are a great body of these Gypsies throughout the country, who piofess great liking for the Overseer and his Clerk, which feeling is excited by their having the opportunity of supplying themselves and their friends with material for carrying on this shameful liot. The mam building was a great deal shaken by the fall of the North wing. Mr. Impulse since then has been re-called from his overseership. In the mean time the Gypsey rioters are enjoying and fortifying themselves; and the poor people of the Middle and South wards are awaiting, with much patient endurance and great anxiety, the

arrival of the new Overseer. It is currently reported that Di. Sinecure will also leave, and the Steward is in great fear about the " Tickets for Soup," for neither he, nor the Beadle, can tell anything about the number issued. Besides, there have been likewise passed upon the inmates, fictitious numbers of " Tickets for Soup," which has occasioned great alarm. The Board of Guardians will, it is anticipated, refuse Soup to the greater part of the holders, as they have been manufactured without their authority, and in such case many of the inmates will be nearly starved. It has been strongly recommended that there should be a general change of subordinates in the workhouse, when the new Overseer arrives ; and that as soon as the Gypsies are punished and brought to subjection, move efficient and sensible persons should be appointed to fulfil the easy simple duties of the workhouse.