Testimony for Alexander Smith; Poor Inspector

This is the full transcript of the testimony entered into the Minutes on the retirement as Chairman of the Parish Council of Alexander Smith, Poor Law Inspector of West Calder Parish in 1896. Please visit the Twitter feed http://twitter.com/#!/PoorInspector for the full story.

"On the motion of Councillor Brown it was unanimously agreed to enter in the minutes our highest appreciation of the long and valued services Councillor Alexander Smith has with unremitting zeal devoted to Parochial business. As chairman for the last twenty years, he has never been absent from presiding at every regular meeting of the Parochial Board. By cautious tact, talent and ability combined by a general and judicious knowledge of Poor Law the meetings have been of the most pleasant, agreeable and harmonious nature; exercising at all times a wise, kindly sympathy for the poor and by his guidance the Parish has been kept clear of unnecessary litigation with other Parishes in the amicable settlement of cases where difficult, knotty points of law were involved."  

From the minutes of the statutory meeting of the Parish Council, Tuesday the 8th of December 1896.