CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2010, 1 September 1892, Page 20

C HARITABLE AID BOARD.

The annual meeting of the Otago Charitable Aid Board was held in the Council Chambers, Town Hall, on Thursday afternoon. Present : Messrs Robin (chairman), Wilson, Snow, Solomon,- Clark,- Begg, Miller, Toomey, Christie, Monson, and Captain Mackenzie. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE'S KEPORT.

The following is the Executive Committee's report' : — Your Executive Committee has the honour to submit for your consideration the following report regarding their transactions during the 3'ear ended 31st March last, and also in regard to the aspect of charitable aid affairs generally. Statement of board receipts and expendiReceipts.— To balance Ist April 1891, L763-6s 8d ; contributions -of local bodies, L 5685 Is 2d ; Government subsidies, L 5228 11s 7d ; interest on fixed deposit, L 5 ss ; bequest, LI 12s 7d ; debit balance bank 31st March 1892, L 84 5103 ;— total, L 12.529 7s. Expenditure.— By Benevolent Institution, L 9697 8s 9a; "Industrial School, Caversham, L 2250; St. Mary's Industrial School, Nelson, L 322 Os M ; Dunedin Female Refuge, L131 5s sd ; other expenditure, L128 12s 4d -—total, L 12.529 7s. Approximate' balance sheet of the board as at the' 3lst March 1892:Assets. — By contributions outstanding, L 634 3s lOd ; Government subsidy on same, L 634 3s lOd ; Government subsidy on contributions collected, L816 17s 4d ; excess of liabilities over assets, L 8 9s 4d ;-total, L2093 14s 4d. Liabilities.— To Industrial School, Caversham, L 1207 15s 7d: St. Mary's Industrial School, Nelson (say), -L 29;2 9; sundry accounts, Lll 8s 9d ; Colonial Bank New Zealand overdraft, L 84 510 5; total, L2093 14s 4d.

BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. From information received from the secretary (Mr* Clulee), we are enabled to lay before you the following particulars of the transactions of this institution for the year. Abstract of receipts and expenditure for the year, ended 31st March 1892 :— Receipts.— To balance Ist April 1891, Ll3 Is 7d ; Charitable Aid Board, L 9697 8s 9d; Government subsidies, L 292 15s sd : other receipts, L 1555 18s sd : debit balance bank 31st March 1892, LSI 15s 7d;-total, L1i;643195 9d. Expenditure.— By outdoor relief, L/ 695 7s ; general maintenance, L 391 8123 9d ;— total, L 11.643 9s9dJ ■

OUTDOOR RELIEF.

The numberof outdoor relief cases on the books of the institution on the Ist February last was 318/ a with 385 at the corresponding date of last' y ear— ot a reduction of 37 in the number of cases. , 'INMATES OF THE INSTITUTION.

The number of inmates of the institution is givenas2l4onthe'3lst March last, as compared with 219 at the corresponding date of last year, being a decrease of five. A peculiar feature in connection with the foregoing information is the fact that whilst the number of outdoor relief cases is now less than it . was 12 months ago, the amount of expenditure under this head during the past year has exceeded that of the previous year by L 1162 15s. In looking over past records, however, we find that on tho Ist November last the number of cases was * 418, thu&showing that the number of recipients has been-reduced during the last three months by 70. We Jiave no doubt that in effecting this reduction, the trustees of the .institution have exercised judicious discrimination, keeping in view the;Teceht alarming increase iv the cost of outdoor relief,' and that the effect of such reduc-tion,'alndsuch-as may. be further made, will be perceptible in the expenditure of the institution during the current year. Before leaving this subject, we beg to repeat the remarks contained in the last cpmm,ittee report — tbat the tendency of the present system of outdoor relief is demoralising, and we are more than ever convinced that the recipients of charitable aid ought, whenever possible, to be required to do something in the shape of reproductive work for the burden they cast upon the community, either by working upon industrial farms in the couutry or in some moneyearning institutions in the towns. INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.

TJndef this heading your committeo have to ' reportthat^the number of childreu in the Caversham School for whose maintenance the board is required .to contribute is now 178, being an increase of 19 when compared with the number at the corresponding date of last year The amount of money paid over_to the school sums "up to a total of LS2SO, whilst there is an unpaid b.iianco of L 470 8s 7d, thus bringing the total requirements of the school from the board for the year up to L 2720 8s 7d, or. Ll2oßs7d over the manager's estimated This exces3 over estimate is certainly not an alarming amount ; but whilst admitting this, it is well to remember that the numberof children in the school is a continually increasing quantity, and that the number of committals within the laat.few'months much exceeds former experience. The effect of this is evident fr- m tiie fact of the manager of the school estimating requirements .for the year just entered upon at L 793 in excßSs'oOast year. In the matter ot control over! he school, your committee have testate with regret that matter* remain precisely in the same position as they did at the meeting of the board on the 2nd of DecemVer last. Supplementary to the exertions made | to obtain 'some voice in the management of the school, your committee have been in communication with the Minister for Education, with the view of being let off with the minimum payment of 6s 6d per week for all children chargeable against the board, instead of paying two rates us ' sit present— viz., 7s (3d for children committed previous to September 1839, aud 6"s b"d for children committed after. Your committee considers this to be an inconsistent arrangement, since they are of opinion that iv the boarding-out system no difference should be made in regard to the allowance to foster-parents of children, no matter when the childreu were committed, because it Eeeuis only reasonable to your committee that if children can be boarded- out for 63 6d per week now, ttat rate only should bo allowed to all foster-parents. You will remember, gentlemen, that in the committee report of December last you were iuformed that the Minister for Education had been interviewed in Wellington by members of the board, and also the Premier in Dunedin, on the subject of granting the board a just measure of control over the management of the 6chool. As

already stated, your committee regret that, notwithstanding this and all the agitation in the matter from the very commencement 6f the board's existence, the question still remains as it was at the beginning. Under such circumstances, your committee can only repeat the protest so often made before against taxpayers being compelled to contribute money for the support of an institution without being allowed reasonable supervision over the expenditure of such money. In regard to St. Mary's Industrial School, Nelson, your committee have to report that the number of children in the school chargeable against the board is 23, as compared with 10 at the corresponding date of last year, being an increase of 7 for the year. Here again your committee desire to draw attention to the increase in the number of indigent children, and also to the fact that tho amount of money paid over by the board for the support ' of these children "amounts to L 322 0s 6d for the year, being L 32 0s 6d over the manager's estimate, and that the manager's estimate for the current year exceeds that of last year by L6O. In the case of this institution your committee again beg to draw attention to the fact that the board is compelled to pay over the ratepayers' money for its partial support without having the slightest control over the details of expenditure.

FEMALE REFUGE. In regard to this institution we beg to submit the following information :— -

FINANCIAL. Receipts.— To balance in bank Ist April 1891, 9s 8d; to receipts for washing, L 292 13s 8d; to Charitable Aid Board, Ll3l 53 5d ;— total, L 424 8a 9d. Expenditure.— By salary of matron, L6O; by payments to laundress, L3O ; by maintenance, L332 18s 8d ; by balance in bank 31st March 1892, LI 10s Id .-—total, L 424 8s 9d. STATISTICAL. Women. Children. Number of inmates Ist April 1891 10 5 . Admitted during the year ... 18 4 Total .'. 28 9 Less discharged during the year 21 5 Leaving in institution' 31st March 1892 7 4 When compaied with the particulars for last year the above statement shows that the admission of women exceeds last year's return by seven, whilst the children are two less. As to the disposal of those who have been dis L charged from the institution during tho year, the following information has been furnished, us;— Gone to situations, 7 ; restored to f rieuds, 3 ; gone back to old ways, ll;— total1 ;— total 21. When reviewing the foregoing particulars, it is apparent that the committee of ladies are to be again congratulated on the result of their management all round. On the score of finance it is shown that more than two-thirds of the entire cost of the institution has been provided for.out of work done by the inmates. In regard to the reformation aspect of the question, it is shown that the number of those who have gone to situations or been restored to friends is one more than last year, and whilst it has to be noted that the. number who have gone back to their old ways is greater than last year, it should also be noted that the number of admissions has-been greater, and the deduction to be drawn therefrom is that- of the extra number admitted a majority were of the incorrigible class, who merely seek a temporary refuge in the institution, without the hope or thought of reformation. We have no hesitation in affirming that the best thanks of the board are due to the committee of ladies managing the refuge for their exertions during the past year. Taking the financial aspect of the question alone, the results show how much the cost of charitable institutions can be reduced by requiring the recipients of charitable aid to work (when able) for the relief they receive. ' ' ESTIMATES. , Your committee beg to submit the following estimates of the several institutions, &c. for the current year for your consideration :— Benevolent Institution — maintenance ... £9,000 -0 0 Extra requirements of Benevolent Institution for expenditure during the past year as requisitioned for and sanctioned by the board 1,500 0 0 Industrial School, Caversham ... 3,383 0 0 St. Mary's Industrial School, Nelson 350 0 0 Female Refuge: 200 0 0 Board expenses "125 jO 0 Total JCHS6B 0 0 The estimates for last year were as follows ;— Benevolent Institution ... ■-...' £8,500' 0; 0 Industrial School, Caversham ... 2,600 00 St. Mary's Industrial School, Nelson ." 290 0 0 Female Refuge 200 0 0 Board expenses 125 0 (0( 0 Total expenses £11,715 0~ 0 In commenting upon the estimates, we beg/fb draw attention to the fact that the requirements for the current year exceed those of last year by L 2853, which is made up as follows :— Benevolent Institution— excess oyer lastyear £500 0 0 Industrial School, Caversham— excess over last year 793 0 0 St. Mary's Industrial School, Nelson— 1 excess over lastyear ... 60 0 0 Extra requisition of Benevolent Institution on account of last year ... 1500 0 0 Total ...£2853 0 0 Your committee regret exceedingly that the estimates now submitted should so largely exceed last year's requirements, but we find ourselves, powerle-s to do anything more than merely submit them for your consideration. .The great and growingincreaseinthe numberof indigent children in industrial schools accounts for the extra money under that head; whilst in the case of the. Benevolent Institution the trustees have no doubt been guided by last year's experience in asking for LSOO more for this year. As to the LISOO extra to provide for benevolent expendtture of last year, that ha* already been sanctioned by you, and spent, and therefore must be levied for in order to enable the board to meet its present engagements. -, if the estimates a* specified are passed, it will be nucessarv to levy on .contributory local authbri'.iiis to the amount of L 7284 to defray (istimatcd nxp*n<litui« for the current year, but in view of the delay iv obtaining returns of the rateable value of property in the comities, consequent, on the triennial valuation list* not being completed by the Property Tax department, your committee have asked local authorities to continue their contributions on the basis of last yearVrate until ?uch tima as the rats for the current year can be legally tstruck.— On behalf of the committee. J. Robin, Chairman. Tho Chairman jilfo read a lengthy report on the yrar's proceedings, and the report -of the eci'cntm coaimitttfc having been adopted The estimates were then considersd. The Benevolent Trustees' estimate being taken first.

Captain Mackenzie said that.be noticed an item of LISOO required by the Benevolent Trustees to pay off some expenditure of last year. Now, he thought they were there to vote moneys for the expenses of the coming year. Consequently they had nothing to do with the expenses of last year. The Chai pman said thab a special meeting had been called to consider that item and ib had been passed for payment. They resolved to pay it, bvit last year there was no provision to carry out the resolution. They wore now simply to provide for the item iv the estimates. Arrangements had been made with the bauk to provide for the item temporarily. Captain M\ckknzik said he would certainly advise his body to refuse to pay it, and if they would nob do so, he would vote against it himself. The members who voted for passing it were liable to be sued—to be surcharged by the Auditor-general. He considered they had no power to vote money to pay for tho liabilities of last year. The Chairman: The board has passed this

sum, and I am sure the board is not going to repudiate it now.

Captain Mackenzie stated that the chairman's remark was not an answer to his contention. Ib was the general belief in the country that at the time the board was afraid to pass the account openJy, bub were now endeavouring to surreptitiously introduce ib among the estimates. The Chairman observed that he could nob help the people in the country if they were stupid enough to come tc such erroneous conclusions. The contributing bodies wer,e bound to pay whatever rate the board passed. Mr Solomon said that that board voted the LISOO last year. They were there thab day bo provide for the liabilities of the coming year, and thab included the LISOO.

Mr Beqo then rose to speak on the estimates. He had listened to the remarks of the chairman with pleasure. There were, however, a good many things in them with which he could not agree, especially his strictures on the report of Mr Macgregor. He thought that that report would commend itself to those persons who were called upon to contribute to the Charitable Aid Board. They were now called upon to contribute something like 25 per cent, more than the contribution of last year. That pointed to an unsatisfactory condition of things. Speaking personally, he would have had no I objection if the increase had been 100 percent., because if it were so it would bring matters to a crisis all the sooner. They were approaching a crisis now. The Premier recently told Parliament that subsidies to t local bodies were going to be done away with, and here they were 'demanding an increased rate from the same local bodies for charitable aid purposes. On the oue hand their revenue was being decreased, and on the other their expenditure was being increased. It was only a question of time when these local bodies would rise up in rebellion and absolutely refuse to pay. Some of the local bodies were at present levying a poor rate B-.<ing a ratepayer, unfortuuatulj, in the CJutha district, he had received a notice j from thr. Clutha County Council to pay a pool rate. He knew well that the settlers where this levy was being made would not submit quietly to such a state of things much longer. There was no doubt in bis mind that a key to this question was in the abolition of public outdoor relief ou one hand, and the restrictions of the liquor traffic on the other hand. Everyone knew, whether they chose to admit it or not, that the liquor traffic was responsible for ninetenths of the poverty and crime which told so heavily on the ratepayers. He had an instance in his mind where an industrious man who had been working for 18 months was inveigled into a publichouse, got drunk, and had spent all his money, and in a ftw days would probably be in Mr Solomon's hands. This was simply a figure of the majority of cases in the Benevolent Institution ; and he was of opinion that the ratepayers and settlers .would rise up against this sort of thing, and say they would not have it any longer. Captain Mackenzie rose again in reference to the item for LISOO previously referred to. The Chairman said that he could not allow Cantain Mackenzie to discuss that matter again. Captain Mackenzie : If you will not allow any discussion we will go away. The Chairman reiterated h,is former statement that the board- had already settled that item, and therefore it could not be brought up again. He appealed to the members present. Mr Miller stated that no one knew better than Captain Mackenzie himself that .he was out of order in referring to this mabber, and that the chairman was right. Captain Mackenzie : I don'fc know anything of the kind. i Mr Miller : I rise to a point of order. I say Captain.Maokenzie is out of'otder. The Chairman said that Captain Mackenzie was not in order ia discussing whether they should pay or whether they should not pay this item of LISOO. l That money was passed on his casting vote, much against his opinion, but he voted in the manner he did because he thought that it was his duty as chairman to do so. ' Captain Mackenzie : In further explanation of your remark about this LISOO, I wish to ask you whether we have to vote that amount now? The Chairman : To make provision for the payment of it. Captain Mackenzie : Does that mean we have to vote for it ? The Chairman: I told you that it has already been decided to pay it, and that the board has now to make provision for ib. Captain Mackenzie: Well, I'll vote against it. After further discussion, Mr Solomon moved and Mr Miller seconded— " That the amount asked for be granted." The Chairman, in the course of some remarks, stated -that up to the present the Benevolent Trustees were L4O below the estimates for the year. This was the worst part of the year, for usually at this period they were very much behind the estimates. As the summer season advanced, the amount which the trustees were now below the estimates would be much further increased. Under those circumstances, Mr Beog said he would move as an amendment — " That the estimate be passed at L 8500." Judging from the remarks of the chairman, he did not think they would exceed that amount. He moved the motion as a protest more than anything else against the present expenditure. Captain Mackenzie seconded the amendment. Last year they voted LBSOO. They subsequently passed LISOO, and now LSOO more was asked *, thus making an increase of L2OOO over last year.— (Cries of ••No.") They were asked to grant L2OOO in excess of last year's "estimate ; aud next year they might be asked for an additional L2OOO. Mr Solomon explained that Captain Mackenzio was in error in calculating as he did. The amendment was then put and declared lost, the motion being carried. The other estimates were then passed. Mr Solomon then moved, and Mr Toomet seconded, and ib was carried : — That whereas the total estimated aunual cost of maintaining the institutions in these united districts for the year 1892-18U3 is L 15.805, which is made up a* follows :— „,,„.« Otago Benevolent Institution ... A 11,74'» Dunedin Female Refuge 200 Industrial School, Caversham ... d,i\)i St. Mary's Industrial School ... 050 Board expenses 125 Total, as above £15,808 And whereas the net annual income estimated to be available for such purposes « Ll2lO, leaving the remainder of L 15.558 to be allocated for contribution by the local authorities m these umled districts, less tho sum of L 7284 receivable from the consolidated fund in respect of such reTherefore this board, in pursuance of the provisions of "The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act 1883 Amendment Act 1886"," and or every and any other power enabkng the board m thin behalf, resolves that the' said remainder of balance of L 7284 be allocated for contribution by the undermentioned local authorities in proporl tion to the rateable value of the rateable property in the districts or subdivisions represented by each such local authority respectively, in the amounts respectively set opposite the names of the said local authorities as under, viz. :—

Valuations undtr " The Hating Act ISSt," Vincent County £324 10 2 Maniototodo 249 6 8 Tuapekado 467 17 8 Waikouaitido 258 4 5 Taierido 656 14 0 Waihemo do 210 10 9 Bruce do 495 18 6 Clutha do 544 11 0 Peninsula ßoad Board ... 103 3 1 Portobello do do ... ... 77 9 3 Tomahawk do do 16 9 8 Palmerston Borough 23 2 4 Total under " The Rating Act 1882" £3427 18 0 Valuations under " The Rating Act 1876." Alexandra Borough £ 10 19 1 Cromwell do 2.} 110 Nasebydo 24 12 6 Lawrence do 66 9 11 Roxburgh do 12 3 7 Tapanuico 20 10 5 Dunedin City 2117 7 -2 St. Kilda Borough 76 3 7 Morningtondo 181 2 2 Roslyn do 221 5 5 Maori Hill do 93 12 2 Caversham do 240 2 4 South Dunedin do 168 3 5 North-East Valley do 15L 18 4 West Harbour do 80 3 9 Port Chalmers do 97 11 1 Hawksburydo 25 2 10 Green Island do 27 18 11 Milton do 47 12 4 Balclutha do 43 11 7 Mosgieldo 65 3 2 Kaitangata do 52 6 5 Total under " The Rating Act 1876" £3856 2 0 Grand total, £7281. And this board futther resolves — "That .the respective amounts so levied as aforesaid shall be paid to the treasurer of the board in Dunedin in one sum on the 30th September 1892."