The Invercargill Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1803.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 90, 15 September 1863, Page 2

The Invercargill Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1803.

There is one very useful and creditable Institution existing in Dunedin, which ought to be reproduced in Invercargill, namely, the Benevolent Asylum. The Institution was first taken in hand in Dunedin .about a year ago, and, we believe, owed its origin to a Government grant. A number of gentlemen were appointed trustees for the management of its business, and under them a secretary. The purposes which they had to effect, were the relief of the indigent and providing the infirm poor with a home. An excellent site for the home was furnished on one cf the many hills upon which the town is built, and, pending its construction — an interval, by the way, unnecessarily long — out-door relief was afforded to those, whose cases seemed to be urgent. Thus the presence of absolute want was removed ; an asylum opened to those sadly wounded in the battle of life ; and all the objects of a workhouse carried out, without the icy charitableness and unpleasant associations which surround the Uuion. The necessity of such an establishment is cogent ; especially in gold producing countries, where, putting aside the prizes, the rumor of which is so much talked about, there are manifold untold blanks ; where, if there ia sudden prosperity, there is equally sudden reverse, and where the disabled and the sickly are hopelessly trodden down in the rush for fortune. Strive and scheme as we may, optimists though we be, prove it politico- economically impossible as much as we choose, and yet there always remains an indigent class, for which the more wealthy must, on account of social order, if for no higher motive, provide. We cannot in this part of tbe world get rid of the useless members of society by the prompt measure of tho bowstring, nor can thoy be doubled up into a sack of quick lime, and consigned to our local Bosphorus. They must be, they must eat, drink, and live. It is imperative ; and that granted, it must be contrived how they shall best eat, drink, and live, and how they shall the least be burthens upon those to whom they owe subsistence. In Dunediu, tbis contriving has resulted in the Benevolent Institution, which, notwithstanding unconscionable delays, has worked successfully. Such being the case, we do not see why the same thing should not be tried in Invercargill ; a any rate, the same necessity for it exists and as population increases, that neces-' sity will make itself strongly felt. The propriety of founding a Benevolent Asylum in Invercargill is worth the serious consideration of Government and the Provincial Council. In passing a grant of money for the purpose, which, we trust, will be done next month, they may bear in mind that the Institution, if properly managed, becomes to a certain extent self-supporting. Asylums ofthe kind — for example, the alms houses in the suburbs of London, are always so lo-

cated as to be surrounded by a considerable area of ground, which the in» :'i mates, Yso farYas fcherr bodily condition | permits; . till^and^ make productive of I ciops, that; .are by; no means small i sources of Teyebue. In addition, we have f npdoubt thatj in theevent-of an .initiative \ step being taken by the -Provincial Legislature, public subscriptions would be at once 'forthcoming. -On economical grounds-tben, as.well as*by reason cif-tha't charity which covers a multitude of sins, 'there should . be a Southland Benevolent Institute.