APPENDIX. Auckland, November 12th, 1867.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3318, 5 March 1868, Page 4

APPENDIX. Auckland, November 12th, 1867.

Sir, — In forwarding you a report iv connection with the administration of the moneys set apart for the relief of the sick and destitute, and the maintenance of orphans, I must apologue for iti incompleteness, in consequence of my short period in office. As the books used in the department were handed over to me by the Government, and not by my predecessor, I was prerented from acquiring a general knowledge of the system adopted by him, andde. prived of the opportunity of asking many questions relating to the circumstances of persons getting G,orernment aid, and from obtaining other information which would greatly assist me in the performance of my duty. Immediately after entering on the duties of Believing Officer, I went most carefully into the expenses of the soup kitchen in Official Bay, under the control of Mr. Punch, and, from personal observation, information, and calculations, I at once determined to recommend the Government to empower me to close if. "This was done, and I believe I am under the mark when I state the doting of that eitabliehinant

alone has been a saving of at least £350 per annum to the provinoe. From the expense of that establishment during the month of June, whioh I brought under the notice of the Provincial Seoretary in the begining of July, as well as the few persons receiving soap and bread, you will be able to draw your own conclusion as to whether that amount of supervision was exercised ot« the expenditure that should have been, I herewith enoloae returns showing the reductions and alteration* whioh hare been made since I took oharge of the department, as well m a detailed statement of the probable expenditure for the coming year, and am of opinion that £3,000 will suffice for that period. I believe the returns encloied for your Honor's perusal will enable you and your responsible advisers to say that, had the same mode of procedure been adopted between January and June, whioh was retorted to subsequently, the amount appropriated would be ample for all the demands on the Sick and Destitute Fund for the year ending next month, I have been often asked what is my opinion respecting the present mode of administering the Relief Fund, and am forced to confess, after some months of hard* working careful inquiry and personal observation, that if the Believing Officer paysregular visits, and institutes careful inquiry, the present system is satisfactory, and one that will prevent like imposition being practised to any extent. If the oity and suburbs be divided into districts, you will most probably have the same class of gentlemen, who are at present in the habit of reoommending persons,, appointed to do the work, and consequently matters going on in the same manner as at present. I believe it would be of great benefit if the Immigration Barracks atNewtonwereconvertedinto an asylum for the aged and infirm, where they would be comfortably housed, and under proper managers. A large number of iron bedsteads, blankets, &c, are available for such a purpose at present, and I am of opinion that the amount required to give theie people out-door relief would enable them to be properly looked after in that building ; a portion of them, no doubt, could bring the land attached to the depot into a state for growing vegetables, &c, while others might do the cooking, cleaning, &o. It would oonsiderably lessen the expense in connection with the Ladies' Benevolent Society, and I believe the ladies of that society would cheerfully pay a matron and manager to superintend the general working of the establishment j beside?, if this plan is adopted it would bring all those persons the ladies are in the habit of visiting under one roof, and bo considerably diminish their duties. I have mentioned the subject to two of the ladies connected with the society, and they are of opinion that such a plan would afford much comfort and contentment to many old persons. I have not visited any of those institutions whore destitute and. orphan children are being maintained and educated partly with Government aid, owing to a conversation I had with the Provincial Secretary a few months ago. I trust I may not be considered unreasonable in asking an increase to my present salary, as I can confidently assert that I have an amount of work to perform which would fully entitle me to ask allowance for keeping a horse, besides being often obliged, after my day's werk is completed, to check accounts, and do many other matters connected with my duty at my lodgings. In conclusion I beg to thank the Provincial Seoretary for his kindness in giving me advice, and otherwise assisting me, during your Honor's absence at Wellington,— l have, &c, John Kino, Believing Officer. His Honor the Superintends.

Ezpenaei inonrred for the relief of orphans and other destitute children for a portion of the year ended 31st December, 1867 :— Sistebs of Mercy.— July, £20 17s Bd.; August, £19 15 a. 4d.; September, £18 19a. Bd.; October, £16 9s. Bd.; November, £19 )7«. Bd.; December, £21 10s. St. Mart's College.— July, £35 125.; August, £35 ; September, £33 16s. Bd.; October, £25 155. j November, £26 13s. 4d.; December, £23 6s. Bd. Three KingsTnstitution.— March quarter, £106; June quarter, £91 ; September quarter,£9o ; Deoember quarter, £88 15s. Orphan Home, Parnell. — March quarter, £116 10s.; June quarter, £129 135. 4d.; September quarter, £129 165.: December quarter, £125 16s. 1. Return showing amount of rations iisued to persons who ouehtnottohavereceivedG-overnxnentaid for the period October, 1866, to May, 1867, 11,369. Note by Relieving Officer]: — All the persons upon inquiries between July and August were struck off the ration list, and none of them hare sinoe received any aid. 2. Return showing the amount of deductions in rations which could reasonably have been made if careful inquiries had been made into the circumstances of applicants, and their houses visited during the period, October, 1866, to May, 1867 : — Number of rations issued, 4,812; proper issue, 3,242; saving, 1,570. .Note by Relieving Officer :— Of the 100 names on the return 19 have been struck off the list altogether, remainder in receipt of the reduced allowance. 3 Number of double rations issued during the period, October, 1866, to May, 1867, 4,039f. 4. Expenses of soup kitchen in Official Bay during the period October, 1866, to May, 1867, as per Report of Commissioners appointed to inquire into the working of the Sick and Destitute Fnnds, from returns furnished by Mr. Ha/elden, £476 16s. Bd. — Number of rations issued during the six months, 21,787.— C05t. £392 15s.— Deduct, errors in carryings out and additions, 504 rations. Giren away with orders, 604 ; total, I,loB.— Note by Relieving Officer : — I believe, dedooting the 1,108 rations alluded to, and taking into consideration repairs, &c, about the depot from time to time, as well as other petty ex* penditure, the cost of the soup kitchen 'during the six months ending March last was not lets than £500. (Signed) John King, Relieving Officer, November, 1867.

1 The creator number of persons included in this return should never have received Government aid.