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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Otago Benevolent Institution

Otago Benevolent Institution . This association grew out of a meeting held on the 24th of April, 1862, which was followed on the 22nd of May in the same year by a gathering of subscribers, who elected the first committee, namely, Major Richardson, Superintendent of the province (president), Mr. W. Day (treasurer), and Messrs A. C. Strode, J. Vogel, St. John Branigan, J. A. Douglas, C. H. Street, E. Caspar, and J. Rattray. The first meeting of the committee was held on the 29th of May, 1862. The institution, thus established, has been a power for good in the past; its inmates, who are lodged in comfortable wards, consist mostly of old people of both sexes, no longer fit for work. There is also a maternity ward containing six beds. A steam laundry—a very urgent necessity—was completed at a cost of about £1,100. From the years 1862 to 1885 the revenue of the instiution was derived from voluntary contributions, which were subsidised by the Government at the rate of pound for pound. The Charitable Aid Act came into operation in the year 1885, and provided for the raising of necessary funds by rates on boroughs, county councils, and road boards, these amounts being subsidised at the rate of pound for pound from the consolidated revenue. Voluntary contributions received a subsidy of twenty-four shillings in the pound, and bequests ten shillings in the pound to the extent of £500 of subsidy. Mr. Alfred Clulee is the secretary. The trustees meet every week at the office of the institution, Moray Place, Dunedin, for the purpose of considering applications for outdoor relief, and for general business.