At a weekly meeting of the board of the Exeter Corporation of the Poor in Januay 1863 certain circumstances connected with the discipline of the workhouse were being considered:
"The master of the workhouse had reported that Caroline Gauntley had thrown a bucket of hot water over him. and used very offensive language towards him. The woman accused the master of having had ciminal intercourse with her. The committee had examined into the matter but thought the bulk of the evidence unfit for publication, It appeared, however, that the alleged misconduct on the part of the master had taken place two years since, and taking into consideration the character of the witness in connnection with other circumstances, they did not think the charge against him had been proved.
"They, however, thought that the master had not used due forethought in dealing with the paupers. The management of the female ward was the exclusive duty of the matron, and the master should only go there when urgent duty required his attendance. The committee trusted that in future the master would give his orders with firmness, yet in such a manner as not to irritate those who were under him.
"The committee had unanimously come to the conclusion that the evidence should be laid before the general body of guardians"
The women in the workhouse were separated from the men but the master had access to the 'female ward.' No good could come of that! Life at 'the Union' was very dark and dreary. How delighted the other workhouse 'females' must have been when Caroline Gauntley emptied her bucket over the master!
It would seem that in 1863 some thought that crimes committed two years since didn't count for much and the thing to do with 'evidence unfit for publication' was to suppress it.
Source, The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 23rd January 1863.
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