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Ninth Annual Report of the Committee of Management of the Otago Benevolent Institution

February, 1872

1. The Committee of Management have to report that during the past year they have been called upon to relieve a very large amount of distress, more especially during the winter months. The disbursements for Outdoor Relief have exceeded the sum expended for this purpose in 1870, by nearly £200, and that of 1869 by more than £400. This circumstance partly arose from the dearth of employment, existing during the autumn and winter, and the sickness at that time so prevalent among the poorer classes. In the country districts also there have been many extreme cases of distress, which have necessitated the intervention of the Institution.

2. Many of the cases at present on the Books are likely to be permanent, and in some the size and absolute indigence of the family have compelled the Committee to administer assistance to a more than ordinarily large amount. At the close of the year there were on the Relief List 244 persona, page 10 entailing a disbursement of £17 per week. Of this amount £4 2s. 6d is distributed in the country districts.

3. The Committee would again draw attention to the fact, that in a majority of cases the distress originates in the desertion of their wives and families by the husbands, and they trust their successors in office will continue to impress upon the Government the necessity for the introduction of such measures as will enable the Police to deal more effectually with such offenders.

4. The average number of Inmates in the Institution during the past year has remained about equal to that of 1870. The buildings placed at the service of the Committee by the Provincial Government were removed to the Institution, and from the materials a large and spacious building has been erected for the accommodation of the adult male inmates, who are thus separated from the rest of the Establishment. The cost of each inmate per week during the past year was six shillings and tenpence farthing.

5. In September last the Committee found it necessary to dispense with the services of Mr. Turner, and subsequently with those of Mrs. Turner. The re-appointments? of Master and Matron have not yet been permanently made.

6. The Committee have much pleasure in [unclear: testifying] to the diligence of the Governess, Miss M. A. Coxhead, and also to the readiness she has evinced to promote the welfare of the Institution, during the period in which it has been without a Matron. The educational advancement of the children also establishes her proficiency as a Teacher.

7. The Committee have also to record their satisfaction with the assiduous attention given by Mr. Macfie to his duties as Religious Instructor, and have reason to believe that much good has resulted from his labours.

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8. During the year three children were placed out at service, and in each instance the Committee have received satisfactory accounts of their conduct and progress.

9. It will be observed by reference to the Balance Sheet, that financially, the Institution has retrograded during the past year. It will be necessary for the incoming Committee to endeavour to induce the Government to make a more liberal provision for the relief of the destitute, as otherwise it will be absolutely impossible for them to carry on effectually the business of the Charity. The Committee were led to believe that the endowment of Land for Public Charities would, ere this, have been available; and regret to have to report that the Colonial Parliament has not yet consented to the vote. They trust, however, that their successors in office will use every endeavour to obtain this very necessary provision for charitable aid.

10. Pursuant to the instructions of the Subscribers, made at the last Annual Meeting, the Committee applied to the various Medical Practitioners in Dunedin, with the view to obtain honorary medical attendance. They were, however, unsuccessful, and under the amended Rule, Dr. Hocken was appelated to the office of Medical Attendant, receiving an honorarium of £50 per annum; and the Committee desire to place on record their appreciation of the manner in which the duties of that arduous office have been fulfilled.

11. Attached to the Report will be found the Medical Report, Balance Sheet, and Tabular Records of the operations of the Institution.

12. The Committee now resign their trust; they are however eligible for re-election.