Mid Sussex Times – Tuesday 03 January 1933

Hard labour for two casuals.

Objected to Christmas in the workhouse.

Two casuals named George Moon (30) and Daniel Walters (40), of no fixed abode, were charged before Lieutenant Colonel C. H. Farquharson at Haywards Heath police court on December the 24th with refusing to perform their allotted task that morning while inmates of the casual ward at West Hylands Institution, Cuckfield. Both pleaded not guilty.

Adrian Garner (labour master) stated that defendants were admitted for discharge at 9:00 AM on Monday. At 10:30 that Saturday morning witness was told by another officer that defendants refused to work because they were not allowed to take their discharge that morning.

Witness asked them if they refused to work, and both replied in the affirmative. Their task was wheeling coal. The defendant Moon said he was not told whether or not he would be detained. He objected to the master using his discretion and allowing a casual of the opposite sex out that morning. He started his task, but refused to continue it.

The defendant Walters said he was not put to wheeling coal. He cleaned the lodge and half of the casual ward, and when he asked for some paraffin he was told to wait until after dinner. He wanted to get to London, and contended that he had finished his task by 9:30 AM.

The magistrate told defendants that it was their duty to abide by the rules of the Institution, and each was sentenced to 14 days hard labour.

Walters to the magistrate “I hope you have a Merry Christmas Sir.”