OTAGO BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

Evening Star, Issue 3110, 6 February 1873, Page 2

OTAGO BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

The annual meeting of this Society was held in Farley’s Hall this afternoon ; Mr A. C. Strode, R.M., the President, in the chair.

The Secretary read the following report : The Committee of Management have to report that during the past year they have been called upon to relieve a very large amount of distress, especially during the winter mouths, which were more than usually severe. The disbursements for out-door relief were, however, Ll6O less than the sum so expended in 1871, owing to a general reduction having been made in many of the cases, on the 80tli September, from absolute want of funds. The principal cause of distress arose from a dearth of employment during the winter mouths, and the desertion of wives by their husbands. In the country districts, also, there were many oases of distress relieved by the Institution. In the month of October, the Committee, finding that the funds at their disposal would not meet the heavy demands made upon them, caused a special appeal to bo made to the clergy and laity for help, and they regret to state that, with few exceptions, viz. - Knox Church, First Church, St. Paul’s, All Saints’, North Dunedin Presbyterian Church, St. Luke’s, Oair.aru, and the Presbyterian Church, Tapanui—they met with no response ; only seven of the churches throughout the united Provinces of Otago and Southland having contributed, the first four of which are in the habit of making annual collections in aid of the charity. A great many of the cases at present on the books are likely to be permanent, and in some the size and real indigence of the families have obliged the Committee to administer aid to a more than ordinarily lai’ge amount. At the close of the year, there were on the relief list 250 persons, entailing a weekly expenditure of LI3 14s. Of this amount L2 11sis distributed in the country districts. The Committee would again draw attention to the fact that in a majority of cases the distress originates in the desertion of their wives and families by the husbands, and they trust that their successors in office will continue to impress upon the Government the necessity for the introduction of such measures as will enable the police to deal more effectually with such offenders (vide-report for 1871). J he average number of inmates in the Institution during the past year has remained about equal to that of 1871. The cost of each inmate per week during the yepr was 6s B;‘d. The appointment of Mr J. S. Hickson as secretary, in the room of Mr J. A. Webb resigned, has been made since the last annual meeting; and the vacancies of master and matron have been filled—the former by Mr John Morrison, the latter by the appointment of Mrs Turner. The Committee have much pleasure in testifying to the diligence of the governess, Miss M, A. Coxhead, whose proficiency as a teacher is established by the apparent advancement of the children under her charge. The Committee have also to record their satisfaction with the assiduous attention of Mr M‘Fio to his duties as religious instructor, and have r ason to believe that much good has resulted from his labours. During the year two children were placed out at service, and one adopted. The total number now at service and adopted, to December 31, 1873, ie —at service, 9 boys and U gills i adpfUd, 4 and 6 girls, {u each

instance, the Committee have received satisfac* tory accounts of their conduct and progress. Three children were forwarded to their grandfather in America, where they have been kindly received and provided for. By reference to the balance-sheet, it will be observed that, financially, the institution has retrograded during the past year. It will be necessary for the incoming Committee to endeavor to induce the Government to make a more liberal provision for the relief of the destitute, as, otherwise, it will be impossible for them to carry on effectually the business of the charity. The Committee regret to have to report that the Colonial Parliament have not yet consented to the vote for the endowment of public charities. They trust, however, that their successors in office will use every endeavor to obtain this necessary provision for charitable aid from this source. The Committee desire to place on record their satisfaction and appreciation of the manner in which Mr Hocken has performed the arduous duties of medical attendant, not only at the Institution at Cavcrsham, but amongst the numerous out-doorcases throughout the City and suburbs. The zeal and judgment displayed by Mr Hickson, the Secretary in the performance of his duties call forth from the Committee the highest praise, and they feel that the Institution has benefitted from his appointment to the office he holds. The medical report by Mr. Hocken was as follows ;

I have much satisfaction in being able to report that, during the past year, the health of the inmates of the Benevolent Institution has been, on the whole, good. Amongst so large a number of very young children, and of old peuple, it is a source of congratulation to say that no death has occurred in the twelve months now completed. There can be no doubt that this excellent state of things is mainly attributable to the scrupulous observance of cleanliness and ventilati n ; in this respect, as well as in their attention to the sick, the master and matron are deserving of all praise. 'l'here have, however, been several cases of illness, none of them severe. Many of the old men uffer from some form or other of seni e ailment, all the children and many of the adults have been thoroughly vaccinated in four places, and this whether there had been previous vaccination or not. The epidemic of whooping cough, that has been so prevalent in town, has, so far, not visited the Institution. I hear, however, that our good fortune in this respect has ended, as one case has made its appear .uce. Many of the outdoor recepients of the charity have been invalids, and, whenever necessary, have received medical assistance. We are obliged to hold over the remainder of our report.