THE POVERTY OF LONDON’S POOR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1431, 14 December 1886, Page 3

THE POVERTY OF LONDON’S POOR

On October 15 the Coroner for Kast Surrey he ! d an inquiry respecting the death of Sarah Mv.lda Maddox, aged nine years, who died under circumstances of a most dia'ressing character. Sarah Matilda Maddox said thet the deceased, who was named a f trr herself, was one of six children, five of whom were now living. Wi'ness’a husband was a barge builder, but had bsen out of worn for three months and during that time the'’ had bven very poorly off and la want of food, it being a common occurrence for the deceased and her brothers and sisters to only have bread and water during the day. The mother sa ! d that no medical gentleman saw the deceased before she died, They could not not tfford to pay for med cal assistance. Her husband had not applied for parish relief because he had been ex? petting to get work every day. At the time of the deceased’s death there was no food or a single farthing in the house They were greatly In want of food. The witness’s husband had not yet succeeded in obtaining emplovment, but was then seeking to do so. The five other children were at home, and almost in a starving condition. [The witness here broke down and wept bitterly,] The jury eventuady returned a verdict thiv (he deceased died from exhaustion, arising from a want of sufficient and proper food and medical attention.