POOR LAW APPOINTMENTS.—The positions available under the Poor Laws and in the service of the various Unions provide an interesting field for employment for men and women of various attainments. Being appointments under a public body, they have all the advantages implied by that fact—permanency, a fair scale of payment, and acceptable working conditions, with, in many cases, a pension assured at the end of the career. On the other hand, in the higher grades of the service, the appointments have the drawback common to all public offices—they are difficult to get. There is keen competition for the various offices and the emoluments attached, but once the candidate does receive appointment in the service of such authorities his future and reasonable progress are assured. Following is a summary of the various Poor Law appointments available to the public, with all the imformation essential as to duties, qualifications and wages.
Clerk to the Guardians.—The position of Clerk to the Guardians carries with it great responsibility, and is the most important office in connection with the administration of the Poor Law in the Union. He is the expert adviser to the Guardians on all matters affecting indoor and outdoor relief and those relating to the powers and duties of the Guardians. The Clerk is not obliged to belong to the legal profession, though this pro bably obtains in the majority of instances, and in such cases the fact is of considerable advantage to the Board. As new Acts are passed imposing new duties upon the Guardians he must be able to interpret their effect. In any case, however, he is expected to advise upon the numerous general orders of the Local Government Board and to direct the business of his own Board in such a manner that its members do not vote money illegally. He has always the fear of the Government Auditor before him, who will sur charge illegal payments, as well as the strict surveillance of the Local Government Board. Before the establishment of District Councils, he was often Clerk to the Rural Sanitary Authority, and if he were in office at that time his appointment as Clerk to the District Council usually followed. He is frequently Clerk to the Union Assessment Committee and Superintendent Registrar.
If future legislation, as outlined by the Majority Commissioners, is adopted, it may be questioned whether the Local Government Board will permit the appointment of a part time officer as Clerk. The salary at
present varies according to the size and importance of the Union. A medium-sized Union may pay ,,esoo as Clerk to the Guardians. He will receive £100 as Clerk to the Assessment Committee; £500 as Clerk to the Rural District Council ; and £150 as Clerk to the Joint Hospital Board, in addition to fees as Superintendent Registrar, if he holds these further appointments, as Clerks to Guardians often do. An office and all cost of lighting, heating, &c., will be provided jointly by the respective authorities. But out of the aggregate sum the Clerk has usually to pay the salaries of three or four assistants—probably £200 per year. In instances where the Clerk is retained solely by the Guardians, he will receive £350 to £400 per year—for a moderate-sized Union—and clerical assistance, office and usual accessories provided by the Guardians.
An able assistant to the Clerk of a Board of Guardians usually stands a good chance of securing promotion in his own or another Union, usually the latter. Better than any other person he will answer the recommendation of the Poor Law Commission that " no person should be appointed as Clerk who has not some knowledge and experience of the Poor Law." The Commissioners have also suggested that " there should be qualifying examinations for the higher officers." The Clerk pays to the Superannuation Fund and receives a pension according to the regulations provided under such circumstances.
Workhouse and Union Medical Officers.—Boards of Guardians require not only a Medical Officer for the medical care of the inmates in the Work house, but also officers for outdoor medical relief. They must be registered medical practitioners. The Workhouse Officer may also hold one or two outdoor appointments subject to the Local Government Board, but be must reside within seven miles of any part of the parish or parishes to which he is appointed. The larger Unions possess a Resident Medical Officer at the Workhouse, who in addition to his care of the inmates is expected to give a course of lectures to the nurse probationers where the Guardians have adopted the system of training nurses. He has also to watch carefully against any outbreak of disease, inspect lunatics once a quarter, and certify as to the health condition of any boy apprenticed by the Guardians.