WELLINGTON BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6691, 27 September 1882, Page 3

WELLINGTON BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

The weekly meeting of the Committee of 'the Wellington Benevolent Institution washeid yesterday afternoon, in the Mayor’* room.' 'Present—Councillor Allen (in the chair), and the Revs. H. Van Staveren, P. Kerrigan, B. Bavin, W. H. West, Councillor Banks, Mr J, E. Smith, and Mr A. G. Johnson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and the usual routine business was transacted. The Bev. W. H. West said the members of ■the Committee were no' doubt aware that the Society had a number of orphans boarded out. Some months ago the ladies of the Christian Association were asked to visit these children, and he believed they bad famished some sort ef report. Mr Johnson said the ladies were asked for a report, and Mesdames Hart and Walters were appointed to visit the children and inquire *3 to their condition. The outcome of that in* quiry was that one child was removed from what was considered an unsuitable house in •Quin-street, and placed somewhere else. In the other case?, the report was to the effect that the children were well cared for.

The Rev. R. Bavin was of opinion that this matter should come periodically before the ■Committee. It had come before them now, no doubt, on account of what had recently taken place with reference to the death of a child. The Committee should certainly have a report once every six months, or even more frequently, as to the condition of the children who were ■boarded out. The Rev. W. H. West said there would be difficulty in dictating to the ladies as to the time of their visits. He was in favor of surprise visits. The visits should not be made -always by the same ladies, as some women -were much shrewder than others.

The Rev, E, Bavin said they should certainly have a report every six months, and if the work was too much for the ladies they should do it themselves.

Councillor Allen coincided with the opinions had been expressed. The children were entirely at the mercy of those in whose hands -they were placed. The Rev. H, Van Staveren said he understood that thirteen or fourteen orphans had been boarded oat by the Society. The Rev. B. Bavin said the work was rather too much tor two ladies. He was very sorry for the affair in connection with the Home for JTtiendless Women. The Rev. W. H. West said he was informed that the ladies were forced into admitting cases of the kind jnst referred to—taking in prostitutes, for instance, to bo confined at the Home. The Rev. H. Van Staveren said they should visit it. , ■ The Rev. R. Bavin said it was not to be expected that an institution of that kind could go on year after year without a bitch. The whole affair was very unfortunate. The Chairman said a letter should be written in suitable terms to the Ladies’ Committee, asking them to look after the orphans. Mr A. G. Johnson said some months ago the •ladies were asked to visit at once, and continue .to make surprise visits and report to the Com-

mittee. One report was received from them, and aftsr that one child was removed from the custody of the persons who had charge of it. All the people who now had orphan children m their care were well known to the ladies and to individual members of the Committee.

The Rev. W. H. West asked whether any of the children went to school. Mr A. G. Johnson said several of them went to school—in fact, all those who were old enough. There were 15 of these children altogether, and several of them were able to sign their names to the receipts for the money granted on their behalf. The Rev. W. H. West asked whether enough money was being paid for these children ? As they got older they must cost more to keep. Mr A. J. Johnson said he believed the average price paid was 7s 6d per week. For two or three only 6s per week was paid, and for others 10s. With regard to their distribution, three children of one family had been placed with one woman, and two others were together with their grandmother; the rest were separate. It was resolved that Mr Johnson should write to the Ladies’ Committee on the subject of visiting the orphan children that had been boarded out.