OTAGO BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2099, 27 January 1870, Page 2

OTAGO BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Society was held in Farley’s Hall this afternoon ; Mr Strode, R.M , in the chair. There were about twenty gentlemen present. The following report by the Committee and medical officer’s report were read : “ The Committee of Management for 18G9, on their retirement from office, beg to present to the public the usual annual report on the proceedings and progress of the Institution during that year. They are glad to he able to congratulate the friends of the Institution on the success that has attended their efforts, as, notwithstanding the heavy demand made on the funds in consequence of the extension of the building, they have been enabled to close the year with a balance to their credit. By the ready support conceded by the public, the Committee have been enabled to render the Institution eminently useful to the Province. The reduction in

the price of necessaries also has materially assisted them in the extension of the operations of the out-door relief branch, and they have been able to afford assistance to more than GOO destitute persons, as against 450 in ISGS, at a cost of about LlO less than the previous year’s disbursement for similar purposes. In January last, those children of the Institution who had boon committed under the ‘Neglected and Criminal Children Act ’ were removed to the Industrial School. By this means, and also by the extension of the building, the Committee were enabled to admit many deserving applicants who owing to the want of accommodation had previously been excluded. The Committee have endeavored to conduct the management of the Institution as economically as was compatible with the comfort and cleanliness of the inmates, and in this they have to recognise the efficient assistance they have received from the master and matron. The cost of each inmate during the year has amounted to Ss 9RI per week, being 2d per head less than that of the preceding year. The Committee have much pleasure in noticing the close and earnest attention given by Miss Coxhead to her duties as scliool-mistross. The progress made by the children and the order prevailing amongst them are sufficient signs of her firm, kindly, and judicious method of tuition. Represen;ation bavin" been made that the accommodation at St. Peter’s Church, Caversham, was insufficient for the number of children attending from the Institute, the Committee, after consultation with the Government, appointed Mr Macfle, Town Missionary, to superintend the religious instruction of the Protestant inmates. Provision has, however, been made for the attendance at that church of those children whose parents were members of the Church of England. “ The Committee, in their endeavor to promote the welfare of the Institution, and to extend its usefulness, have been liberally assisted by the subscribers, who, notvvithstanding the general depression existing throughout the Province during the past year, have contributed freely to the funds. The Provincial Government, also, have readily met their demands for subsidy, and the Committee have therefore been in a position to meet the steadily increasing claims upon the funds which they hold in trust for the relief of the destitute, withholding relief from no deserving applicant. They would, however, point out that the real usefulness of an institution of this nature mainly depends upon the resources at its command, and they therefore trust the same support and assistance may be extended to their successors iu office that they themselves have received. They would also direct attention to the fact that each year’s revenue from the Government entirely depends on the amount subscribed during the previous six months. ‘ ‘ Four children have been placed out at service during the year, and the Committee are glad to state that the reports from their employers are of the most encouraging desscription. Of those placed out in previous years, the Committee have been pleased to learn that, with very few exceptions, they have become good, useful servants.

“ The balance-sheet and usual statistics will be found attached to the report, and to those the Committee would direct special attention as containing a full record of the proceedings of the Institution. They desire also to remind the subscribers and the public' that the Asylum is open to visitors on every week day, and to invite their attendance in order that they may form their own estimate of its usefulness. “ Their term of office having now expired, the Committee resign trust. They are, however, eligible for re-election. “ A. Chktham-Strode, “ President.” THE MEDICAL REPORT. The following is the report of the Honorary Surgeons of the Institution, under date 24th January, 1870: — “ In reviewing the medical statistics of the Benevolent Institution during the past year, wo have much pleasure in recording the almost entire immunity of its inmates from any serious illness. As was to be expected from the class of children admitted, cutaneous eruptions have required our attention from time to time, but by the use of remedial means these were speedily checked. “ Vaccination has received due attention, twenty children having been vaccinated during the year. “The only fatal case that occurred was that of a man who had suffered from asthma for many years prior to his admission, and died from that complaint. “ Since the removal of the adjacent slaughter yards wc have perceived a marked improvement in the health of the inmates. There has been no recurrence of those outbreaks of fever which formerly attacked not only the children, but also the servants of the institution. “ Whatever cleanliness and assiduity could effect has been cheerfully performed by Mrs Turner, the matron. (Signed) “Fred. Richardson, “Thos. Morland Hockin', “ Hon. Surgeons. “To the President, Ac., &c., of the Otago Benevolent Institute.”

“Balance Sheet.— Statement of receipts and disbursements for the year ending 31st Dec., 18(59. Receipts,—Cash balance from Dec. 31st, 1868, L 534 7s Gd ; Government grants, L3SB7 las Cd ; subscriptions, collections, &c., LI 103 4s 2d ; from other sources, say rents, on account of inmates, sales of surplus stock, &c., LlO7 Is Gd; total, L5G32 8s Bd. Disbursements.—Cash paid in outdoor relief, L74G Is 4d; milk, groceries, meat, &c., L 525 11s sd; furnishing and repairs, L 93 3s 8d ; advertising and printing, L 45 7s 3d ; salaries and labor, LG4S 11s lOd; rent of office and stationery, LSB 11s ; school requisites, LI 1 Cs 5d ; fencing, building, and repairs, Ll6lß 3s Sd ; clothing and repairs, L 214 10s ; fuel. L7O 17s 2d ; miscellaneous, comprising medicines, cartage, stock, rates, insurance, , LI 19 Os 7d ; balance to 1870, L 1484 4s 4d ; total, L5G32 8s Bd.” The following is an abstract from the statement of patients during the year : Relieved, 610; discharged, 469; on the books, 31st December, 1869, 140, During the year 18 children have been transferred to the Industrial School, 4 have been placed at service, 2 adopted, 1 male adult and 16 children have been taken out by friends, 2 males and 1 female left voluntarily, 2 children were sent to friends in other colonics, and 1 to the Lun die Asylum, 1 female was discharged, and 1 male died. The Rev Mr Stuart moved the adoption of the report. He said th-vt ho had to express his great satisfaction with the report, which plainly showed that the affairs of the Institution had received great attention at the hands of the Committee. He was especially pleased to find that the fears

expressed last year had been disappointed, and the appeals "to the public had been fully met, so that there was left a ba'ance much greater than he could possibly have anticipated. He had to express h:s satisfaction with the way in win hj the business had been conducted. He had to do avith a great many of the poorer people and he had never heard from them a single complaint. The Institution gave extraordinary satisfaction to those dependent on it ; and ho, as a citizen and Christian minister, was deeply indebted to the Committee. He hoped there would be no further extension of the buildings at Cavcrsham, and expressed himself highly pleased with the appointment of Mr Mac fie. The Rov. Mr Williams seconded the adoption of the report. The following office-bearers wore electa 1 ; President, Mr Strode ; Vice-President, Mr R, B. Martin; Treasurer, Mr Selby; committee, Messrs Hardy, Wilkie, Muris m, Fulton, Rennie, Oliver, Bagley, and Herbert ; hon. medical officers, Drs Richardson and Hockon.