112 Pauperism in Neio South Wales. 



stating, that although the treasurers were without any funds, 

 and considerable debts were owing at the beginning of the year, 

 the directors did not contemplate any serious difficulty. The 

 report then proceeds to acknowledge the great kindness of his 

 Excellency the Governor whenever they were compelled to 

 submit a statement of the society's affairs to him, and to state that 

 in reply to such applications at various times he gave them, 

 during the year, the respective sums of £150, £500, £200, and 

 £400. 



The present objects of the Benevloent Society remain the 

 same, according to the reports, as at its inauguration, but the 

 demand upon the special forms of relief to which it is now 

 confined continues to increase. Thus, the report for 1867 states 

 that " 121 women were safely accouched (of whom no less than 

 77 were unmarried)," and "that the increasing number of 

 children in the institution became once more a subject of great 

 anxiety to your committee. In accordance with their recom- 

 mendation, and with the sanction of the Government, 93 children 

 were transferred to the institution at Rand wick." 



In taking the care of the infirm and aged into its charge, the 

 Government accepted the important responsibility of initiating 

 a national system of Poor Law relief, and the first step adopted 

 was the appointment of a Board of Management and Control. 

 This consists at the present time of three gentlemen, whose 

 services are gratuitous and who meet twice a week. 



Immediately after their appointment they appropriated the 

 Liverpool Asylum to the reception of males and the Hyde Park 

 Barracks to females ; but the rapidly increasing number of 

 applicants soon necessitated additional accommodation. 



In June, 1866, a building was fitted up at Port Macquarie, and 

 during the present year an additional wing has been added to 

 the Liverpool Asylum. 



In 1863, the daily average of inmates in the various as ylums 

 under the control of this Board was 621. Upon the 30th June 

 in the present year it was 1041, showing an increase of 417 in 

 4^ years. 



It should, however, be mentioned that many persons find their 

 way to these asylums from the neighbouring colonies. 



The total cost per head per annum, inclusive of salaries, &c, 

 is — at Liverpool, £12 18s. 9^d ; Sydney, £14 4s. lid.; Parra- 

 matta, £14 6s. Id. giving an average of £14 Is. 11^-d 



These figures speak for themselves and prove that the princi- 

 ples of " necessity of relief," with rigid economy, are accepted, 

 At the same time, it is evident to those who visit these institu- 

 tions that necessary comforts are provided. Indeed, their 

 management reflects credit alike upon the zeal and humanity of 

 the Board. 



