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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 60

Twenty-Second Annual Report of the Committee of Management of the Otago Benevolent Institution

Twenty-Second Annual Report of the Committee of Management of the Otago Benevolent Institution.

1.In presenting their twenty-second annual report and balance-sheet, your Committee regret to announce a considerable increase in the demands made on the funds of the Institution. Deserted wives and widows with their families occupy a prominent position among the cases relieved; but hard times and consequent scarcity of work have been the chief causes of the increase of destitution, as will appear further on in this report.
2.In consequence of the depression which still exists, it has been found difficult to collect subscriptions; and had it not been for the exertions, during the early part of the year, of the Committee-in-Aid (whose report appears as an appendix), the work of the Institution must have come to a stand-still. Your Committee have again to acknowledge assistance rendered by many subscribers both in town and country.
3.In accordance with the wish expressed at the last annual meeting, circulars were forwarded to the churches of all denominations asking for an annual collection towards the funds of this Institution. A cheerful response has been made by a number of churches, viz., the following:—Hanover street Baptist; Anderson Bay Presbyterian; Wesleyan, Balclutha; Trinity, Lawrence; St. John's, Roslyn; page 4 St. Paul's, Dunedin; St Mary's, Mornington. Also the following through the Committee-in-Aid, viz:—Presbyterian, Green Island, East Taieri, Queenstown, Puerua; Baptist, North-east Valley; Jewish Synagogue: First Church; Warepa and Kaihiku; St Peter's, Caversham; Tabernacle; Congregational; Presbyterian, Port Chalmers; and it is trusted that their good example may induce others to assist in making this a permanent source of income.
4.The great difficulty of providing sufficient fund was foreseen by your Committee, who made applications to both the former and the present Government for an increase in the subsidy. While in the office the Hon. Mr Dick promised increased assistance; but as yet no further help has been afforded, as the Government are considering the whole subject of charitable aid throughout the Colony.
5.The unequal distribution to the various provincia districts has been the subject of strong comment by our representatives in Parliament, who have felt that this district has been unfairly treated; and it is to be hoped that in the future legislation justice will be done to this district.
6.It is a matter of regret that the subsidy on amounts collected for special objects of charity has been discontinued. We yet hope this order may be reversed, as the funds of the Institution have already suffered by this check to the liberality of special subscribers.
7.The wooden buildings in which the old men have been for some years lodged are in a state of decay, and have become quite unfit for their occupation. A plan and estimates for a new brick building to contain seventy-two beds, all on the ground floor, have been prepared and submitted to Government. These have at last been approved, and the sum of £1,600 made available for its erection. The Committee desire to thank those members to whose kindly exertions is due this satisfactory result.
8.The water supplied from the mains to the buildings at Caversham at present costs about £60 per annum. Application has been made to the Dunedin and Caversham Corporations for relief from this charge. The former has page 5 consented to forego its share, provided that the latter can be induced to remit the borough water rates on the property, and we are now waiting their reply.
9.In accordance with rule 12, the Medical Association were appealed to for honorary medical officers, but without success. In reply to an advertisement on the same subject but one gentleman, Dr. Stenhouse, tendered his services. While heartily thanking him, your Committee declined his offer, feeling that it would be too great a tax on his generosity to allow him to undertake the duties single-handed.
10.It is to be hoped that the legislation which was carried through Parliament last session, at the suggestion of your Committee, by the present Government, may be the means of checking the evils of wife desertion so frequently commented on in previous annual reports.
11.The total number relieved during the twelve-months was 2,215, showing increase of 392 on the previous year. The details of this total are:—Old and past work, 32 men, 39 women; total, 71. Incapacitated through sickness, temporary or permanent, 57 men, 71 women, 218 children; total, 346. Out of work, 94 men, 86 women, 290 children; total, 470. Widows, 158 women, 470 children; total, 628. Deserted wives, 67 women, 219 children; total, 386. Illegitimate, 4 women, 4 children; total, 8. Families whose husbands are in gaol, 6 women, 35 children; total, 41. Families whose husbands are in lunatic asylum, 6 women, 26 children; total, 32. Casually relieved, 37 men, 79 women, 217 children; total, 333. Grand total, 220 men, 516 women, 1479 children—2215. Viz., Church of England, 650; Presbyterian, 710; Roman Catholic, 415; other denominations, 440.
12.The number of inmates on 1st January, 1884, was 62 men, 7 women, 38 children; total, 107. Received into the Institution buildings, 45 men, 18 women, 8 children; total, 71. Discharged, 38 men, 13 women, 7 children; total, 58. Leaving on 1st January, 1885, 69 men, 12 women, 39 children; total, 120. Three deaths occurred during the year. [See Mr Hocken's report]page 6
13.The expenses of the Institution at Caversham amounted to £2,461 10s 3d, an excess of £273 7s 2d over the previous year, being caused by the increased number of inmates. The weekly average cost of these was £114, which gives a charge of 8s 3¾d per head per week, a reduction of 3¼d as compared with last year.
14.The amount disbursed for out-door relief was £4,872 5s 9d, an increase of £642 15s 7d over last year. This expenditure is for food, fuel, clothing, house rent, and passage-money paid to enable applicants to reach their friends in New Zealand, Tasmania, Victoria, and Old Country.
15.The total expenses of this charity have been £7,868 17s 11d; the total amount received from all sources £8,079 19s, of which £3,4111 4s was subscriptions, collections, and donations, including amount from Committee-in-Aid, £2,006 9s 5d.
16.During the twelve months all the bootmaking and repairs have been executed by two of the inmates, one of whom in particular has given valuable help to the Institution, for which he has been paid a small sum weekly. In like manner other inmates have assisted in carrying on the work of the Institution.
17.Your Committee have much pleasure in thanking the Committee-in-Aid for the energetic and successful manner in which they carried out their labors for the purpose of augmenting the funds of the Institution. They also desire to thank the public bodies throughout the country districts who so kindly assisted.
18.The new secretary (Mr A. Clulee), who entered on his duties early in the year, has been assiduous in his discharge of them, and given satisfaction to the Committee.
19.The Committee beg to bring to your notice the very excellent manner in which Mrs Quin has carried on the duties of matron during the past year. The position was an exceptionally difficult one, and has been very satisfactorily maintained.
20.The school at the Institution still remains under the charge of Miss Ferens, whose work is favorably reported on by the Inspector of Schools.page 7
21.The Rev. W. Ronaldson has been indefatigable in his attendance at the Institution, holding services every alternate Sunday, in addition to weekly afternoon visits. Lay representatives of the Wesleyan and other denominations have also given regular attendance to the inmates which has been appreciated.
22.The medical officer, Mr Hocken, has devoted his usual attention to the duties of his office. His report will be found attached.
23.Your Committee beg to thank the proprietors of the following papers for the gratuitous supply: 'Otago Witness,' 'Saturday Advertiser,' 'Otago Daily Times,' 'Evening Herald,' 'Evening Star,' 'Illustrated New Zealand Herald,' 'New Zealand Tablet,' 'Tapanui Courier,' 'New Zealand Presbyterian.'
24.Appended to this are the balance-sheet, revenue account, subscription list, and the usual tables.
25.The attendances of members of Committee during the year were as follows:—Rennie, 47; Gourley, 39; Ainger, 35; Kirkpatrick, 35; Carroll, 34; Irvine, 34; W. Thomson, 30; Fulton, 29; Martin, 25; Graham, 21; J L. Shaw, 20; J. Mollison, 14; Ross, 12; Hungerford, G Wise, 6; Wilson, 2; J. B. Thomson, 3.

R B. Martin

, President.