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Twentieth Annual Report: of the Committee of Management of the Otago Benevolent Institution.

The Committee regret, as on former occasions, to have again to refer to the increasing demands on the funds placed at their disposal; in fact, the various phases of poverty which exist in their Provincial District must be known to the public at large, but more especially to those clergymen, benevolent ladies, and others who are brought into daily contact with the cases which come under the notice of the Committee with a view to relief.

The usual eases of poverty are always cropping up, and with an increasing population are likely to continue. Deaths from natural causes, fatal accidents to heads of families, sickness, and various casualties—some of a temporary nature, and others permanent—all help to swell the list of applicants for relief.

One greivous and crying evil is that of wife desertion, which year after year is sadly on the increase; in fact, if legislation of a deterrent nature is not brought to bear on this growing crime, serious results to the tax-paying public must ensue. It is quite enough for the benevolent to assist in cases of pure misfortune, but to be called upon to support the families of the class referred to is more than can be reasonably borne. Reference to paragraph 9 of this report shows the extent of this evil, the great majority of cases being of a depraved nature.

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The funds at the disposal of the Committee being totally inadequate to meet the pressing demands made on them, they had to ask the assistance of the Colonial Bank for an overdraft, which was kindly conceded to them pending steps being taking to raise funds other than from ordinary sources. In this the Committee were successful, and, as heretofore, the able and valuable services of several of our citizens, as well as of many friends in the country (who on former occasions had given their assistance), were called into repuisition, and they undertook the task of starting the fourth Carnival, the result and success of which will be found in the report herein incorporated. This extreme mode of raising money for carrying on the work of the Institution ought not to be resorted to, and it is well known that those who have borne the burden of the work have only done so under a deep sense of the absolute necessity of finding funds. It is a well known fact that the principal portion of the funds collected from this source comes out of the pockets of the business men, as well as of the working men; and it is to be regretted that a large proportion of the wealthy classes in the Provincial District do not subscribe, as a reference to the subscription list will at once show. On the whole the Committee have reason to be thankful for the liberal support accorded during the year, and the manner in which the public responded to their call, notwithstanding that the management and its officers were the subjects of a searching investigation into the whole working of the Institution, conducted by Royal Commission appointed by the Government, the report herewith of the gentlemen forming that Commission will speak for itself.

The total amount received from all sources was £7,674 12s 4d, of which £3,343 11s 7d were subscriptions, collections, and donations. On this sum a Government subsidy was received. The total amount disbursed for the year was £6,698 6s 4d, of which sum £4,056 14s 4d was expended in out-door relief—viz., food, clothing, rents, fuel, payments of passages to various persons to reach their friends, etc.

The cost of the Institution at Caversham amounted to £2,015 17s 1d; the weekly average of patients being 90, which gives a weekly charge of 8s 7 ½d per head per week. page 5 This sum is slightly in excess of the previous year, and can be accounted for thus : increase in price of meat from previous year, and replenishing clothing for old people—contributions of old clothing being unequal to the demand—many persons' clothing on entering the Institution having to be destroyed. The increase in the consumption of food is caused by having so many old people of broken-down constitution, whose wants require more than the ordinary food; in fact, the Institution is performing the functions of an incurable hospital.

The total number relieved out-door during the year was 1,771—viz., 143 widows and 404 children; 79 deserted wives, with 276 children; 70 men and 69 women suffering from illness, with 191 children, temporarily out of employment; 16 men and 14 women, with 6.5 children; 42 single men from various causes, and 30 women; 12 young women, with a like number of illegitimate children, were granted temporary assistance; 6 women, with 24 children, whose husbands were in the hospital; 9 women, with 26 children, whose husbands were in gaol; 4 women, with 18 children, whose husbands are in the Lunatic Asylum. Casual cases relieved—40 men, 61 women, and 160 children.

The number received into the Institution during the year was 47 :—viz.,23 men, 8 women, and 16 children; the number discharged was 50—viz., 20 men, 11 women, and 19 children, all the latter being taken out by friends; leaving in the Institution on the 1st January, 1883, 50 men, 10 women, and 27 children.

The medical officer's report, balance-sheet, and tables will be found in due order; also list of subscriptions, donations, &c.; for gifts, &c., to Carnival, see "Carnival Report."

The Committee cannot close this report without expressing their regret that through the failing health of Mr M'Fie, religious instructor, who has been in the service of the Institution for a number of years, and had given the various committees very great satisfaction in his ministrations and general attention to the inmates, especially the children, had to relinquish his post, and the Committee can only reiterate their expression of regret for the cause of his resignation.

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On Mr M'Fie's retirement, the Rev. Mr Ronaldson, Anglican minister, and the Rev. Mr Fraser, Presbyterian minister, mutually tendered their services to the Committee to take alternate Sundays in giving instruction, and also every alternate Thursday. This offer was gladly accepted by the Committee, and the kindly manner in which the offer was made was duly acknowledged with thanks. Since this arrangement was entered into, the Rev. Mr Fraser was transferred to Lawrence; his place has been taken up by the Rev. Mr Gibson, Wesleyan minister, and his assistants.

The Committee have to thank the clergymen referred to and their assistants for the interest they have taken in the spiritual instruction in this connection.

The grounds and crops are in good order, the supply of winter fodder for the cattle being abundant. The partial failure of last year's crop entailed a heavy expenditure for winter feeding.

The secretary, matron, and other employees continue to give entire satisfaction to the Committee.

Seeing that the demands on the charity are so heavy and likely to increase, the Committee urge on all citizens to bring under the notice of the secretary any instance of abuse of the relief granted.

In conclusion, the Committee tender their best thanks to Mr John L. Gillies and to the ladies !.nd gentlemen who kindly assisted him in carrying out the late Carnival; to Mr Donald Reid for the liberal manner in which he placed his new store at the disposal of the Carnival Committee, at great inconvenience to his business; to all subscribers, and donors, especially to those in the country districts who contributed so handsomely to the funds; to the clergymen of the various congregations for their usual collections; and also to the proprietors and managers of the under-named papers, supplied gratuitously to the Institution, viz. :—"Otago Witness," "Saturday Advertiser," "Evening Star," "Morning Herald," two copies; "Illustrated New Zealand Herald," "New Zealand Presbyterian," "Christian Record," "New Zealand Tablet," "New Zealand Churchman."

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Their term of office having now expired, the Committee resign their trust; they are, however, eligible for re-election. Two vacancies have occurred through the resignation of Mr George Blyth and Mr James Brown. Mr T. S. Graham was appointed treasurer in place of Mr Brown.