OLD-AGE PENSIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14684, 18 November 1909, Page 4

OLD-AGE PENSIONS

STEADY INCREASES. ! " (Fron Oub Own Conßr.sroxDENr.) ' WELLINGTON, November 16. : The report from the Old-age Pensions Department elates thai a considerable increase in the number of participlints in the scheme—the largest- in any year since 1901—has taken place during the past year. On March 31 last there were -, 14,396 pensioners tin the booke, including 69! members of the Native race. This ' ' represented an increase of 827 oil - the .figures of tho previous years. Not 6illy has the increase teen in actual number's, but also ; n the percentage of pensioners to the population eligible bv ago and rcsidence. Since tho act came into force the sum of £2,404,515 has been expended in pensions. Tho cost, per head of population has grown from 4s Id in 1900 to 6s lid in 1909. It will be remembered that the amount of the pension was increased in 1907 from '£18 to '£26. Tho above figures relate. to tho gross payments. There have been recoveries amounting to £6286. The amouuts .distributed during tho year in the different postal districts are as follows Ai|ck- . land, £69,644 ; Blenheim, £3779; Christclnneli, £55,903; Dunedin, £52,231; Gisborne; £2281: Greymouth, £12,926; Hokitika, £13,271; Invercargill, £21,012; Napier, £11,951; Nelson, £6956; New Plymouth, £5993; Oamara, £7282; Thames, £12,731; Timaru, £11,982; Wanganui, £9786; Wellington, £31,701; Westport, £7376 ;—total, £336,813.

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