INQUEST—An inquest was held at Westmeon on Thursday last, before Mr. Todd, county coroner, on the body of Lucy Cannings, a woman of the age of 52 years, who had been receiving parish relief from the Petersfleld Union, to which she belonged, to the amount of 2s. per week. In consequence of her illness, the parish doctor ordered her to be supplied with meat and other nourishing food, which the relieving officer refused to supply; but it appeared from the evidence, that the deceased did not die from the actual want of nourishment, because her brother, a labouring man, contrived to supply her with the necessaries required. After a long investigation, the jury returned the following verdict : That the deceased Lucy Cannings departed this life by the Visitation of God, of chronic bronchitis and consumption, from natural causes, and not by reason of any want, neglect, or ill-treatment whatsoever. But the jurors are unanimously of opinion that William Durman, the relieving officer of the Petersfield Union, was guilty of a gross neglect of duty in refusing to supply the deceased with meat and other necessaries which were ordered by the medical officer in attendance upon her, as a pauper belonging to that union.”
Hampshire Advertiser — Saturday 22 February 1862
ALTON, Feb. 22.
CHARGE OF NEGLECT OF DUTY BY A RELIEVING OFFICER — An inquest was held as Westmeon on Thursday afternoon, by Mr. J. H. Todd, upon the body of Lucy Cannings, who died from presumed neglect on February 15th. The evidence was of great length, but omitted for want of room at a late period in the week. The following verdict was returned in addition to that of the causes (natural) of death : — ‟That William Durman has been guilty of a gross neglect of his duty in refusing to supply the deceased with meat and other necessaries which were ordered for her by Mr. Rogers, the medical officer in attendance upon her as a pauper belonging to the Petersfield Union.”
Wiltshire Independent Thursday 27 February 1862
GROSS NEGLECT BY A RELIEVING OFFICER.—A woman named Lacy Cannings, 62 years of age, has just died, who, during her lifetime received 2s. per week from the Petersfield Union. As she was suffering from ill-health, the parish doctor ordered her meat and other nourishing food, but these the relieving officer refused to supply. Her death was not attributable to want, but the jury at the inquest held on her body, in addition to returning a verdict of death from natural causes, expressed their opinion that the relieving officer had been guilty of gross neglect of duty.