VISIT OF THE HONS. COLONEL WHITMORE AND J. SHEEHAN TO OAMARU.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 808, 13 November 1878, Page 2

VISIT OF THE HONS. COLONEL WHITMORE AND J. SHEEHAN TO OAMARU.

The morning train from Dunedm brought the Hon. Colonel Whitmore (Colonial Secretai'y) and the Hon. J. Sheehan (Native Minister), who immediately on their arrival proceeded by train to view the harbor works, accompanied by Messrs. ITislop and Shrimski (M.H.R. ! s), and Mr. George Sumpter (Chairman of the Oamaru Harbor Board), Captain Sewell, and the Private Secretaries of the two Ministers (Messrs. Maunsell and T. W. Lewis). Every portion of the harbor works were inspected as minutely as time would admit, and the Hons. Messrs. Whitmore and Sheehan expressed themselves pleased with the manner in which so groat an undertaking, and one upon which the future greatness of Oamaru depended, had been, so far, carried out. The Hons. Messrs. Whitmore and Sheehan, accompanied by the members for the district and Mr. Maunsell, then proceeded, to the Benevolent Society's property. Here they met a deputation from the Committee of the Benevolent Institute, consisting of Messrs. Allen, Ronayne, and Greenfield. The members for the district introduced the Hons. Colonel Whitmore a<iic"MM|kriH[M

to the deputation. Colonel in charge"of the Charitable Aid asked the deputation what was t l '- »"ianeiai position of the Instijutiav. «nd whether the Municipal a,;} County Councils contributed towards their fund- - Jir. Allen on behalf of u>- ueputatioii, repheu thai, they did not. The Hon. Colonel Whitmore said the Government were anxious that the Instituti n should accept advantages held out by the provisions of the Financial Arrangements Act, IS7S, by which half the cost of the maintenance of the Institution would come from the Consolidated Fund, instead of being charged against subsidies as formerly, and wished them to indicate which local bodies would be most likely to associate themselves with them, so that in the event of any deficiency arising the Government could stop from them the amount of such deficiencies. The Benevolent Society of Duncdin was of opinion that all the comities should contribute towards their funds, but as it was evident that many o£ the cases of destitution around Oamaru should be relieved by the Oamaru Institution itseerned just that some of the adjoining Counties should be affiliated to that Institution. I\li\ Allen replied that lie thought that the Waitaki County Council and the Municipality of Oamaru were the only bodies that could be fairty called upon to contribute. Colonel Whitmore said out that he hoped that in the event of any deficiency arising those bodies would make grants from their funds, which the Government would consider local contributions and supplement by a subsidy of £ for £. Formerly all the moneys spent in subsidising charitable aid was received directly from the subsidies to local bodies. If these bodies would accept the principle laid down by the Government they would not only escape those deductions, but only have to find half of any deficiency that might arise. He also pointed out to the deputation that it was absolutely necessary to earrry out the provisions at the Destitute Persons Act, 1577, 'which imposes the duty of supporting destitute persons upon their own relatives, and said that the police had orders to give every assistance in carrying out those provisions. After some discussion as tothe proper mode of dealing Vr'ith orphans and incurables, the deputation thanked Colonel Whitmore and the meeting broke. From the Benevolent Society, the Ministers were driven tothe Hospital, and after inspecting that Institution expressed themselves satisfied with its management. In reply to a cpuestion from the Hon. Colonel Whitmore as to the financial condition of the Institution, Mr. Shrimski replied that so long as it received its LI for LI subsidy, it vs-ov,W be able to carry o" satisfactorily. The Grammar School was then visited, and the Ministers were shewn over the building by the Rector. They expressed themselves highly gratified with what they taw and heard, and with the general school arrangements. They were taken to the Courthouse and Gaol by Mr. Inspector Smith and Capfc. Carey, and after expressing the same feelings of gratification at the manner in which the latter Institution is conducted, the party drove to the residence of Mr. Hislop, where they partook of lunch. After lunch the Native Minister left for the Upper Waitaki by tho afternoon train for Duntroon, and the Hon. Colonel Whitmore for Timaru.