MANUAL OF THE NILAGIRI DISTRICT. 4-Vi 



1860 that the question of the union should remain in abeyance, CHAP. XXV. 

 whilst the Director of Public Instruction was called on to report educational 



on the necessary arrangements for the establishment and carrying 



on of the Lawrence Asylum on its transfer to Government. 

 This officer reported against the Lawrence Asylum being consti- 

 tuted a State institution, remarking that the Madras Committee 

 had determined that there was nothing in the Sundwar rules 

 precluding the amalgamation of the Lawrence Asylum with the 

 Madras Military Male Orphan Asylum, and that they had 

 solicited in addition to the grant of Rupees 23,905 already 

 received from Government for these Madras asylums, a grant-in-aid 

 equal to the amount the State was prepared to spend in maintain- 

 ing a separate institution. He proposed, and the Government 

 endorsed his proposal, that the amalgamation should be carried 

 out under his direction, that the government of the asylum 

 should be entrusted to the body above named, that a grant of 

 Rupees 2,500 monthly should be made. Rupees 2,000 being for 

 maintenance of 200 boys, and 500 rupees for general expenses (this 

 sum being the estimated cost to the State of a State institution), 

 together with a building grant-in-aid ; that the female branch 

 should be maintained by the State (estimated cost for 100 gii'ls 

 Rupees 1,500 monthly), pending any arrangement which might 

 be made later with the Madras Female Military Orphan Asylum 

 for their union. 



At this time (March 1860) the assets of the Ootacamand 

 Asylum were stated to be — male branch Rupees 75,679, female 

 Rupees 12,323. The monthly expenditure in the former was 

 Rupees 926, in the latter Rupees 562. 



Pending the orders of the Government of India, a monthly 

 grant of Rupees 500 was made to the Ootacamand Committee. 



The Government of India, though declining to sanction the 

 scheme, the expenditure involved being too great, considered it a 

 very good one, remarking — 



" The object of removing the Military Orphan Asylum to the Hills 

 is one of great importance and incalculable benefit, and is well worth 

 the pi'oposed cost ; while the amalgamation of the Male Orphan Asylum 

 with the male branch of the Lawrence Asylum will enable the 

 Government to maintain an efficient school at Ootacamund for 400 

 boys at a less expense than if it was called upon to defray the entire 

 cost of a separate institution." 



They, however, recommended the scheme for the approval of 

 the Secretaiy of State in July 1860. At the same time the Public 

 Works Department was called on by the Madi-ns Government to 

 prepare plans and estimates for a building sufficient to accom- 

 modate the united asylums. 



55 



