OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2244, 16 July 1908, Page 1

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

RETURNS EOR THE YEAR. [Special to “Times.”] WELLINGTON. July 14. The annual report oi tho Old Ago Pensions Department which was presented to tho House to-day, states that although an increase in the number of pensions is taking plaeo, the percentage of pensions to tho ongible population, shows on upward tendency. On March 31st, last there was a total of 13,569 pensioners, being an increase of 312 on the number at tho end of tho previous year, lho number of now ponsions granted was 1740 and there wore 1189 deaths and 239 cancellations, leaving a not increase of 312. Tho number in excess of thoso on. tho rolls on. March 31st 1902, is 793, and there aro 657 Maori pensioners. Of tho total number of pensioners, 10774, or ‘79 per cent of tho wholo, are in receipt of tho full pension of £26. There aro 1856 more malo European pensioners, than females and thore wore, after the end of the voar, 80 European pensioners of the age oF 90 and over, of which eight were 96 and over, whilst 2 had topped the century. A pensioner at Russell is supposed to bo of tho ago of 104, whilst another, at Otaki, is belioved to be 107. The total number of claims lodged sinco' tjie Act came into force, up till March last, was, 33,498, of which number pensions had been established . in. 25607 cases. The gross payments by way of pensions last year amounted to £325,199, being approximately £lO,000 short of the amount appropriated for the purpose, and £11,015 in excess of the gross amount disbursed during tho previous year. After deducting £163, the amount of overpayments refunded, the net cost last year was £325,036. The cost of administration for the year was £5765, and the net value of property owned by pensioners is £584,4G7. Of tho pensioners to whom now pensions were granted last year 790 were English, 364 Irish, 325 Scotch, 23 New Zea-_ land horn, 13 Welsh, and 80 Maoris. Of the total number of male pensioners now on the roll there aro 3353 laborers, 1070 miners, 463 farmers, 24 gardeners, 276 carpenters. 240 gumdiggers, 107 bootmakers. The females include 505 whoso occupation is returned as domestis duties, while there aro 158 nurses, 58 laundresses, 41 charwomen, 5S dressmakers, 17 coolcs;\ and 3 washerwomen.