Case 4166

The little girl in question has been known to me through her irregular attendance at one of our Sunday Schools. I have also been in the habit of visiting at her home during the past year. Her mother dies before I was acquainted with the family. Her father had always bad health and died of consumption a month ago. The children had been very much neglected. The eldest girl of 15 had charge of them. They were all living in their grandfather's house. He is much given to drink and I fear that the father of these children was also inclined that way. At the father's death an Aunt Mrs. S. took charge of the children for a time and put them into the union as a temporary refuge. She having to return to her own family of four children in Suffolk. The grandfather continues to live in the house with the eldest girl. It is their intention to take in lodgers. The second girl will shortly be received by a sister who will train her for service. Mrs. S. & Miss B. from Fareham are the only relations excepts the grandfather whom I have seen. None of them have the least chance of being able to assist the family and only Mrs. S. seems to have taken any care of the children at all. The two brothers of 18 & 19 at Hastar are not in a position to keep a home for the others at present.

Rev. N.
The Vicarage
Portsea Hauts