From the Morning Advertiser – Tuesday 1st January 1850 via the British Newspaper Archive

PARISH OF ST. GEORGE, EAST. TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING ADVERTISER.

Sir,

— I perceive you mention the Christmas fare provided by the guardians of the different parochial unions in the metropolis. There is a slight mistake. On Friday, the last board day before Christmas, it will be seen the decrease should be 86, instead of 47, as stated by you, and the inmates were regaled with one pint of porter in addition to roast beef and plum pudding.

The children, 200 in number, are in a separate establishment at Mitcham, and were treated in like manner with the exception of porter, instead of which they were allowed fruit, &c.,and passed a very pleasant day. Only twelve months have elapsed since those children were removed from residence at Tooting. For the last nine months there has not been one child under the doctor’s care.

The Elms at Mitcham, where the children now are, is only a temporary residence, a large mansion with eight acres of ground, rented by the guardians of the Rev. M. Sibthorpe for a short period.

I beg to state that the guardians have determined not to allow the children of the parish to be placed in union with any other, but have passed a resolution to purchase freehold ground from 7 to 10 acres in the country, and build a permanent dwelling for them, and establish an industrial school, and keep them entirely under their own controul, and they consider that the only means of preventing a repetition of the dreadful consequences of last year, over-crowding in any establishment, and making themselves personally responsible for their future welfare.

Should you think any of this worthy of inserting in your paper, you will oblige Your obedient servant,

THOS. LIQUORISH,
A Guardian of the Parish.