§ MR. HICKSasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether it is a fact that the district auditor has disallowed the sum of three shillings and three pence, expended by the master of the Wisbech Union Workhouse, under the orders of the chairman and other guardians, in the purchase of toys for sick children; and, whether he has reversed such disallowance; and, if not, if he would explain the reason why?
§ MR. HIBBERTSir, the auditor of the Wisbech Union has disallowed the sum referred to, which was expended in the purchase of toys for children in the workhouse. There have been similar disallowances previously, and the Local Government Board, while relieving the persons surcharged of their liability, have held that expenditure of this character should be defrayed by private liberality, rather than out of rates compulsorily levied. The subject had been considered in connection with the recent surcharge, and it is proposed to hold that the expenditure was within the legal powers of the Guardians, and the auditor will be communicated with, with a view to a reversal of his decision.