John Vincent, a tramp, appeared before Pontypool Magistrates for refractory conduct. Thomas Walpole, workhouse official said that John had tore his own clothes to pieces and demanded that the workhouse provide him with a new one at the expense of the Guardians. Mr Walpole said it was a common practice among tramps to tear their clothes when they entered the casual ward so as to be given another suit. Defendant said he could not get a job in the suit he wore. He was sent to prison for seven days.
Thomas Garvey was charged with refractory conduct at Pontypool Workhouse in May 1903. Evidence showed he was admitted as a 'casual' one Friday night and the following morning refused to do the work that was expected of casual inmates who were accommodated for a nights 'doss'. As a result, twenty other casuals who had also been at the house went on strike as well and it was only after some trouble that officials were able to get them to carry out the allotted work.. Garvey pleaded guilty and was sent to prison for seven days.
Mary Ann Bryant was an inmate of Pontypool Workhouse. She was charged at Pontypool Police Court in August 1905 with breaking several panes of glass in the cottage homes. Mr Watkins, clerk to the Guardians said the girl was one of three orphans that were left there in 1895. For a while Mary Ann was boarded out to her grandparents. Later she was put into service with a clergyman. While she was there she developed a habit of chewing pins, needles and candles. She had also taken two other children away from the Workhouse and these were found in the parish of Llanhilleth. She had been twice examined by the medical officer who was of the opinion that 'a good dose of the birch would do her good'. Mary Ann pleaded guilty to breaking the windows and was ordered to be sent to a reformatory for three years.
Sarah Jones, also an inmate, was sent to prison for seven days in August 1905, for refractory conduct. Mrs Richards, matron, said that she had asked the defendant to assist her in bathing an aged inmate but Sarah refused. Dr O Keefe said he had had several interviews with Sarah and she always declined to be examined. She was quite able to do the task asked of her.
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| James Mahoney's 1871 engraving of Oliver Twist in the Workhouse |
sources - Cardiff Times 26 August 1905
Cardiff Times 16 May 1903
Cardiff Times 28 March 1903
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