Annual General Meeting of Subscribers

To the Otago Benevolent Institution.

Monday, February 5, 1872.

The Annual Meeting of subscribers to the above Institution was held in Farley's Buildings, on Monday, 5th February, 1872, Mr. A. C. Strode in the chair.

After a few introductory remarks by the Chairman, the Secretary of the Institution (Mr. J. A. Webb) read the Report of the Committee, Medical Report, and Financial Statement

The Rev D. M. Stuart said he had great pleasure in rising to move adoption of the report. Those who were in the habit of visiting the poor knew something of the labours which the Committee and the Secretary managed to perform during the course of the year. If they considered the number of families relieved, and the work, in one way and another, which was performed, they must be convinced that the community was greatly indebted to the gentlemen who formed the Committee. For his own part, he could not think of them voluntarily and freely doing all this work—meeting weekly, besides having to pay occasional visits—without thank page 6 ing God, and thanking them. He thought it was creditable to the community that they could command always a number of gentlemen willing to undertake such work. Those who had to deal with the poor knew that it was not always easy to relieve them wisely, or to satisfy them; and for his part he thought they should cherish kindly feelings towards those gentlemen for their manifold labours. As a 'minister of the Gospel, and having to do with the poor, he might say that they saved him many troubles and pains; because instead of having to knock about from house to house to beg for one and another, he confessed he fell back on the Institution, and if he could make out a case, he was sure of getting He thought they should record their thanks to the [unclear: Committe] for their very efficient services, and also to their [unclear: Secretary] for he thought they were somewhat fortunate in [unclear: hating] Mr Webb, who went about his work quietly, and as far (Mr. Stuart) could ascertain, the work was done in an efficient manner. He thought the health of the Institution during the past year said a great deal in favour of Dr Hocken, whom he also knew to be very attentive to the outdoor patients. He had great pleasure in moving that "The Report be adopted adopted, and the thanks of the meeting conveyed to the Committee, their Treasurer, Medical Adviser, and Secretary, for the admirable manner in which they have carried out their work during the past year."

Mr. G. R. West seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

The Balance Sheet for the year showed the receipts—made up from Government Grants, Subscriptions, Collections, Rents, &c., including a cash balance of £873 19s. 9d., from 1870—to be £3870 18s. 5d. The disbursements amounted to £3463 15s., leaving a balance to 1872 of £407 3s. 5d.

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The Secretary stated that he had calculated the average cost per week of each individual in the Institution, and found that it amounted to 6s. 10d. That included everything except the interest upon the money for the building.

The election of Office-bearers for the ensuing year then took place, with the following result—President, Mr. A. C. Strode; Vice-presidents, Messrs. R. B. Martin and James Wilkie; Treasurer, Mr. R. B. Martin; Committee—Messrs. Jammes Fulton, H. Houghton, H. Howorth, R. A. Lawson, W.D. Murison, James Mollison, James Paterson, and G. R. West.

Mr. Hindle said he thought there should be a little saving made in connection with the Institution. A Master and Matron were to be appointed; but he thought the duties [unclear: fulfilled] by the Secretary, with the assistance of [unclear: who] could do the drudgery, and a considerable [unclear: might] be thus made.

[unclear: Mr]. Howorth said he was quite certain that no saving [unclear: would] be effected by the alteration proposed. The Secretary had enough do—he had to look after the money and collect the necessary funds—and they would find that if all the offices were filled by one person, neither of them would be done efficiently

Mr. Strode said that in his opinion this was a mere executive matter—(hear, hear)—a matter for the Committee to consider. It was his desire, and the desire of the Committee, to conduct the Institution in as economical a manner as it was possible, without spending a single farthing unless where required. If such an arrangement as that suggested could be made, of course the Committee would see to get the duties performed as economically as possible; but he did not see his page 8 way to that just at present. A person having the conduct of the Institution, if he did his duty, had his hands full; and the Secretary's duties were of quite a different nature: but that of course was an executive matter which should be discussed at a Committee meeting.

A. vote of thanks to the President terminated the proceedings.