Could not resist this title, April 1926:
THE VICAR EXPLAINS.
The Rev. A. J. Moxon said felt a little like Daniel in the lions’ den. but the lions were very kind and forebearing, and they parted on the best terms. hoped that was a happy omen for their meeting that morning. (Laughter.) He was pleased to accept their invitation to come, and he placed himself unreservedly in their hands. There had been a boarding-out committee at Stewkley for some years. It was established before went there, and they had received children from Guardians in London such as Islington and Brentford. There were now 20 of these children in Stewkley and 19 children about whom there had been some question. It was because they had this boarding out committee consisting of the doctor, the nurse and four visitors and himself that he was approached by these people as to whether there were any people in the parish who would care to take children. The Guardians could see from the regulations of the Invalid Children Association that they were very strict indeed with regard to provision against overcrowding. These children arrived on July 13th last year and were to remain in the parish until October 25, and the average number was from to 30. At the parish meeting the numbers were, if he might say so, absurdly exaggerated, and for one gentleman to say that there were 100 children was simply imagination. He heard nothing about the complaint until Octoher 25 when he received the Clerk’s letter and he had no idea as to who made the complaint, as he was very friendly terms with everyone. It was not until later that he knew that the complaint came from a parish meeting. The committee were given no opportunity of explaining their position. The complaint was that the presence of the children was prejudicial to the health of the people of Stewkley. He appreciated the fact that the Guardians, having received the complaint, must make every inquiry into the matter. would point out that each child had to bring a health certificate and very thorough investigations were made to see that the children were healthy and free from disease. The doctors who examined these children in London were L.C.C. doctors who were perhaps the best qualified men perhaps in the whole country. When the children came from London they were examined by a local doctor and their views were confirmed by their own Medical Officer, who said he saw no reason to interfere as he was quite satisfied with the provision made.
And the preceding article, to which the vicar has responded:
STEWKLEY'S CHILD VISITORS.
In reply to the Guardians', invitation the Rev. A. J. Moxon, Vicar of Stewkley, attended the meeting to explain the boarding out at Stewkley of the children of tuberculous parents and the non-registration of these children under the Children Act. The Chairman said he was pleased the Rev. A. J. Moxon had come because it was very necessary for them to settle this unfortunate affair. In the first instance they received a letter from the Stewkley Parish Council calling their attention to the matter, and no doubt the Council were justified in what they did because they wanted to safeguard the health of the parishioners of Stewkley. The Guardians appreciated the work of anyone who tried to get children away from unsuitable surroundings, but the Parish Council thought that as Stewkley was already overcrowded it was not the place to bring them to. They would, therefore, like Mr. Moxon's explanation on the matter. He (the Chairman) hoped they would able to settle the matter once and for all and without personalities being brought into it.
