118 Pauperism in N'eio South Wales. 



In venturing to offer a few suggestions for modifying the ex- 

 isting system of administering Poor Law relief, I must crave the 

 indulgence of the society, and remind them that I trust to the 

 reflection and discussion which it is the object of this paper to 

 originate, for any good that may arise from it. 



1st. I would submit that the social and general circumstances 

 of the colony require that all Poor Law relief should be founded 

 upon the principle of necessity alone, that the period has arrived 

 when the Government is called upon to accept the entire respon- 

 sibility of its administration ; and that this should be accomplished 

 with the ultimate view of handing over a good system, in efficient, 

 working order, to local administration and responsibility whenever 

 such a course can be satisfactorily adopted. 



2nd. That indigent sufferers from incurable disease should at 

 once be included among the recipients of Poor Law relief. 



3rd. That it is desirable to pass a law, to oblige children cap- 

 able of supporting infirm parents to do so. 



4th. That the existing system of using country hospitals, as hos- 

 pitals and benevolent asylums at the same time, is unsatisfactory. 

 it is subversive of efficient hospital management that cases of 

 incurable disease, infirmity, or destitution should occupy beds in 

 wards which are, or ought to be, devoted to the treatment and 

 cure of disease. It io also undesirable that the ordinary inmates of 

 a Benevolent Asylum should be exposed to the influences of 

 disease more than is absolutely necessary. 



5th. That all insane persons requiring seclusion within the 

 public hospitals for lunatics, and possessing near relatives capable 

 of supporting them, should be paid for in proportion to the 

 means of such relations. 



I have long entertained an opinion that the climate of New 

 South Wales generally is favourable to health in advanced age ; 

 but to this end certain principles must be kept in view, which 

 are simple and easily obtained. I allude to — abundance of fresh 

 air, a simple and sufficiently nutritious diet, regularity of life and 

 freedom from excitement. These should be considered the essent- 

 ials ; but it may be further accepted that no asylum for the infirm 

 and aged should be placed within a city. Bearing in mind that 

 we already possess an experienced Board of Management, I 

 would suggest that the colony should be divided into certain 

 districts, each of which might, at some future time, become re- 

 sponsible for the support of its aged and infirm poor. That from 

 these a few should be chosen in the first instance, in each of which 

 a suit able site would be selected for a benevolent asylum, which 

 should be constructed upon a well-considered plan, designed by 

 the architect of the Board and approved by the latter. These 

 buildings should be occupied when finished to the relief of the 

 existing over-crowded central asylums, as well as by such of the 



