A CASUAL’S EXPERIENCES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1699, 16 February 1888, Page 4

A CASUAL’S EXPERIENCES.

A reporter of the Eastbourne Gazette has been emulating the exploits of James Greenwood by obtaining admission to the local workhouse in the guise of a casual. His revelations are of interest in view of the recent discussion concerning the treatment of casuals m London wards, It would appear that at Eastbourne the casual’s lot is still harder than in the metropolis. The disguised journalist fonnd that he bad to appty for a ticket at an office which was a considerable distance from the workhouse, and then wait half an hour for the convenience of the relieving officer; he had to enter a bajih which should have been warm, but was nearly cold, sleep in a small cell overran with mice, and sap on a piece of dry bread thrown in by a porter. For breakfast there was dry bread and the yard pump ; dinner ditto, with the addition of a small piece of cheese. Oo this diet he bad to break a pile of stones into the finest pieces, and the work bad to be performed in a yard without any shelter from cold or rain. Although strong and healthy the task taxed the amateur casual’s powers to the utmost, and one poor fellmy was taken inio custody, and afterward® s up! W : j ffi .BTMI days, for j refusing t.o dp the ,w<# op ifoe grpoud of inability.