PROVINCIAL COUNCIL PAPERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1123, 20 June 1867, Page 6

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL PAPERS.

couponATION FOR TIIE CITY OP AUCKLAND. Correspondence-with the hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellingtoii, rolative tp tho establishment of a municipal corf otution for the city of Auckland. Tho first letter is from the late Superintendent, dated 31st January, enclosing the resolution of tho Provincial Council, and asking,whether the Genernl Government would be prepared to give a general measure, allowing it cither to be adopted by tlio Provincial Legislature, or granted upon application of tho inhabitants, or whether a special Act ■will be necessary. Tho Colonial Secretary replies— " Wellington, 15th Feb., 18G7. , " Sir, —I have the honour to acknowledge tho receipt of your Honor's letter of tho 31st ult., enolosing a copy of a resolution of the Provincial Council of Auckland relative to tho establishment of a Municipal Corporation in that city. I concur ia the opinion expressed by your Honor that the Corporation should be established under an Act of the Genbral Assembly, and tha Government will be prepared to bring forward during tho nest session a general measure, enabling such towns throughout the colony, as may from time to time wish it, to be incorporated as municipalities, with certain general powers, upon the fulfilment of conditions which will be presoribed by the Act. "I am, &c., " K. W. Stafford." ! SICK AND DESTITUTE. ' " Beport of the commissioners appointed by the Superintendent to inquire into the best means that

can be taken for the future administration of funds set apart by the Provincial Council, for the relief of destitute persons in tho Province, as well as the providing employment for such persons. " The Commissioners appointed by his Honor the Superintendent to inquiro into ard report upon the administration of the funds for the relief of the sick and destitute, and the maintenance of orphans, have the honor to import that they have considered tho subject referred to them, and taken evidence. " The leading feature of the present system of poor relief is the giving assistance upon tho reeoxmendation of citizens, for the most part clergymen and medical men. The officer in chargo of the department Bees tho applicants, examines their statements, and gives or refuses aid according to tho merits of each ease, so far a3 he can arrivo at thom. " Tho witnesses examined by the Commissioners were unanimous iu their disapproval of this system. Thoy believe tho system to bo wasteful, and peculiarly liable to abuse, and calculated to promote pauperism, and fails in many instances to reach tho really deserving objects. The waste and abuse arise from the fact that those who givo recommendations are in the great majority of cases unable to institute that searching inquiry into the condition of tho applicants which is requisite to prevent imposition. Many cases of imposition accordingly do occur. Tho evidence shows that persons in receipt of good income, tho families of men farming their own land, the wives of laborers permanently omployed at sufficient wages, and in others in comfortable circumstances have been recommended for relief as destitute persons. "While many such cases havo beon detected by the officer in chargo there can.be little doubt that maay more must havo passed undiscovered. It is the opinion of tho Commissioners a close scrutiny would load to considerable reduction in the number of those receivi ing aid. Deserving objects were left without relief, I l)f>pauoo roluctant, t.o moko .thoir -rrollts knOWO. The I present mode of relief was extravagant and ineffectual. Tho Commissioners recommend tho city and subur be divided into districts, and that a visitor (living in tho locality if possible) be appointed. Visitors might bo selected from persons volunteering such service, by a board of three persons, nominated by the Superintendent. Tho duty of visitors would bo to make themselves acquainted with tho condition of tho poor, visiting "at least once a fortnight. Belief should onlj bo given for 14 days, without reference to the beard. Visitors might recommend ■ persons for aid to tho relieving officer, whose duty it would bo to report to the board, at their meetings, which would take place once a fortnight. This would give close personal examination. The Commissioners stato that plan may require modification in the working. The evidence taken waß in favour of this Bystom, Kelief should only bo given in oxchango for work, whore it was practicable to obtain work. It is rocommended tbat measures should be taken to mako tho freehold property of recipients in hospital or otherwise, liable for tho value of the assistance given. This is justified by necessity of doing justice to the province. Certain relatives of indigent persons are also to be mado liable, and it is recommended that the law bo mado sufficiently comprehensive in this respect. This would also apply to relatives of porsons in the lunatic asylum, luaiiy per3ons through ago and infirmity, it is stated, havo been brought into the province as immigrants, and means should be devised to prevent the continuance of such a practice. Tho Commissioners, rocoznmend that stone-breaking by machinery should be discontinued, and breaking by hand substituted, and the metal broken by free labir to provido a test for destitution. Tho grounds attachod to the hospital should bo brought into cultivation, to supply vegetables, milk, &c., aud also employment. Thoy also suggest tho desirability of reclaiming other Government or trust reserves. r i ho. Commissioners having inquired into the modes of preparing New Zealand flux avo unable to say whether it would afford general remunerative employment. Endeavors had beon made to disoover some mode of employment for women with families. J. McCosh Clarke gave evidence to the effect that nine-teaths of the clothing used in. Auckland was imported mado up. In Melbourne Bitch goods woro manufactured, and so cheaply as noarly to drive English made clothes out of the market. Advantage would accrue if Auckland-made goods would bo used. The objections slated woro that merchants would have to pay higher rates for inferior work. A hope is expressed that this important branch of industry might be encouraged. Tho Commissionors rocommend that needle work required for tho goal and public institutions Bhould be given to female applicants for rations. Xt is also recommended that a register of unemployed and destitute be kept by the relieving officer.- Tho Commissioners say that groat caution is to be exorcised lest funds for tho support of orphans should bo misapplied, it being in evidence that the expenditure under this head was larger than it would bo if only ' destitute children 1 were maintained. They also recommend that Government should be • empowered by law to apprentice childron to whoso maintenance it haß so largely contributed. At present there is a difficulty in disposing of such as have reached an age when they should cease to be a burthon on the provinco, employers being reluctant to employ them, as they frequently leavo their employment. Tho Commissioners recommend tho founding of an industrial school in Auckland, also a reformatory for young criminals. Tho report is signed by Messrs. E. B. Lusk, William Swanson, and James Naughton." There is also a supplementary report which states that Mr. Dornwell and Mr. Snodgrass, the contractors for meat and bread, testify that there is much imposition practiced under tho present system, which makes at demoralising as well as costly—conducing to pauperism. Somo persons take away tho entire quantity of bread allotted to them for a month, — 180lbs. having been taken away by ono family alone, —and most of the recipients drawing their entire allowance for the montli by tho 17th. Thoy recommend that rations should bo only issued for threo days. Thoy state, in conclusion, that a radical change in tho present system is required; (The minutes of evidence disclosing the abovo facts are appended to tho report.)