The Report Book[1] was briefly commented upon in a former article. Its size should be ample--for it is presumed that each page will record the results of many visits, and be referred to on each occasion that the pauper appears before the Board. The lapse of time between the first entry and the last, may be seven or even ten years.
PROPOSED FORM OF THE RELIEVING OFFICER'S REPORT BOOK.
|Present Relief| | Names of| Date| |______________|The circumstances No. I |Dependent| of |Residence|Money. | Bread| | Family. |Birth| |s. d. | lb. | |_____|_________|_______|______| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | The cause } | and date of } | first } | application. } | | The FACTS of } | the history of } | the case, } | abstracted to } | the date of } | the last visit } | | | Relations who, } | according to } | law, should } | assist. } | | Friends who } | do assist, or } | are likely } | to do so. } |
| |The circumstances as Orders of |they existed when the Board, |visited by R. O.,&c. and Remarks | ___________ | |Visited Dec. 16, 1846. | | |Visited, &c. | | |Visited.
This report is prepared from the actual visit of the relieving officer at the home of the applicant, and by coincidental inquiry. Upon its first reading, there would appear the names of the heads of the family--the names of their children who may be dependent upon them, and the several dates of birth, the residence, the occupation of the several members of the family, their actual condition, the admitted cause of the application for relief, and a statement of such facts as a single visit may disclose respecting their past history. This would form a basis for a future report, and would lead the guardians to make comparisons, and judge whether the case is rising or falling, having reference not only to weeks, but years. The practical man will perceive, that the chief point of difference between this form of Report Book and that enforced by the Commissioners, is, that the latter speaks of the present only, while the proposed form speaks of the past as well,--an addition of vital importance, if character is to be considered. It is clear, if the past and present condition of the applicant be stated, together with the main facts of his history, the mental act of classification will follow inevitably, and will require merely the mechanical means of expression. It may be stated generally with reference to this book: _First_, Every case must be visited, and reported upon by a statement of facts, not opinions. _Second_, The report must be made returnable on a given day--this would be secured by the Chairman's Diary. _Third_, Each applicant must appear personally before the Board, unless distance or infirmity prevent.