OLD-AGE PENSIONS DEPARTMENT (SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE), FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1904.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1904 Session I, H-18

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1904. NEW ZEALAND.

OLD-AGE PENSIONS DEPARTMENT (SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE), FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1904.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 62 of " The Old-age Pensions Act, 1898."

The Registrar of Old-age Pensions to the Right Hon. the Colonial Treasurer. Sir, — Old-age Pensions Department, Wellington, 18th July, 1904. I have the honour to furnish the following report for the financial year ended the 31st March, 1904, containing particulars required for presentation to Parliament in terms of section 62 of " The Old-age Pensions Act, 1898." In my report of the previous year's work of the Department, reference was made to the fact that a new form of claim had been brought into use, and that a more complete system of investigation had been instituted, whereby the statements of a claimant for pension were verified before the claim was submitted to the Stipendiary Magistrate. I may say at once that the results achieved during the past two years have amply justified the steps taken in this direction. The number of new pensions granted during the past year has dropped to 27 per cent, of the population becomingeligible by age and residence, whereas previously it was 37 per cent, in 1903, and 43 per cent, in 1902. The number actually granted was 1,063, as against 1,386 in the previous year, and 1,694 iti 1902. Besides affecting every new applicant for a pension, the new system has been made to apply during the past year to all pensioners who were already on the books, and as these latter came up for the annual renewal of their pensions, their position was exhaustively inquired into for the first time, and this without any hardship whatever to those properly qualified. The fringe of this special investigation had only been touched at the date of my last report, and although it was then anticipated that the result of the few months' experience thereunder would be maintained throughout the year, I was not prepared for what has actually happened. To say that there has been considerable misstatement of their true positions by claimants in the past is but to state the case mildly, and the extent of the imposition practised and the amounts obtained by unscrupulous persons is almost incredible. The safeguards now existing are necessary to prevent the darker side of human nature having play. At the close of the financial year just ended, there were 850 Jess pensioners on the rolls than there were two years previously. This, it must be noted, means that there is a decrease in the annual liability under the Act of £16,277. The actual number of pensions cancelled has greatly exceeded this number, being 690 last year and 622 in the previous year, a total of 1,312 for the two years; but the excess of new grants over the number of deaths in each year has had the effect of reducing this abnormal decrease to the number stated —that is, 850. And it is this fact of the natural increase exceeding the natural decrease that has to be taken into account in viewing the results that I now place before you. In 1902, when it might with reason have been said that the number of incoming pensioners had, after over three years' working, practically reached a minimum, the number of new grants exceeded the deaths by 759, and for the year now under review, with the searching inquiry that I—H. 18.

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has been insisted on, there is still a margin in favour of the new pensions of 135. Similar results cannot be looked for again, and an increase rather than a decrease is to be expected in the near future. There has, in consequence of this large decrease in the number of pensioners, been a corresponding shrinkage in the expenditure under the Act, and an actual cash-drop of £6,976 for the year has to be recorded. Add to this amount the sum of £2,349 recovered by Court cases and otherwise, and paid to the credit of the Consolidated Fund, together with the sum of £700 recovered since the books were closed for the year —an item property chargeable to the year's work- - and we have a cash saving of £10,000. It may be thought that with the annual liability reduced by upwards of £16,000, there should be a larger decrease in the gross payments, but it has to be borne in mind that the decrease has been gradual, and payments have been made right up to the date of cancellation in each case. It takes time for the effect of a falling-off in the number of participants, such as is recorded, to be felt, and the drop during the past year is really the result of the previous year's cancellations. The net charge under the Act for the year was £200,844 10s. Id. In addition to the various provisions for the investigation of claims made by Order in Council at my request, it became incumbent on me during the 3'ear to pay special attention to one aspect of the question of granting pensions which previously I had had little opportunity to look into, and which, had opportunity offered, I would, on account of the provisions of the Act, have hesitated to touch. I refer to the question of age. It was brought home to me from a few odd inquiries that were being made through the Department that this particular phase demanded prompt attention, and the issue of a new form was at once put in hand. This form provides that a claimant, who is unable to produce documentary' evidence of age such as a birth or baptismal certificate, shall acquaint the Department with such information as will lead to evidence of age being obtained. If the claimant has been married in the colony at any time, or has had children born in the colony since the year 1876, the Registrar-General is able to give evidence of age; if the date and port of arrival in the colony and the name of the ship claimant arrived in are supplied, the Immigration or Customs records can usually supply the age at arrival, and if there is no record in the colony at all, the Agent- 1 General in London is appealed to through the Department. It was not long before it became abundantly clear that a large percentage of the applicants coming forward were not eligible on the score of age, and it has yet to be learned to what extent the loose provisions of the law regarding this most important qualification have been taken advantage of in the past. As is known to you, the original Act of 1898 provides for no corroborative proof of age, except in the case of the Native, and the sworn declarations of people holding responsible positions in the community have very naturally been accepted as proof of age in a great number of cases; but I very much regret to have to state that these selfsame declarations (and this applies to declarations made in regard to other important matters affecting the eligibility of claimants) have, from the point of view of correctness, been proved to be absolutely valueless. Pensioners who have been drawing for years have been found even now to be short of the required age, and these, of course, have had their pensions cancelled, but beyond that the Department has had no redress by reason of the discretionary power given to Magistrates under the Act. 1 trust that at the end of the year now current I shall be in the position —which I am not in now —to report that I am satisfied that not only are all new claimants who may be admitted eligible by age, but also that the whole of the pensioners on the roll are in the same desirable position. I must perforce acknowledge the readiness with which Magistrates have recognised the need that existed in this matter of age as in all matters affecting the granting of pensions for a stricter investigation by the officers of the Department, and the opinions expressed regarding the new order of things, which I have the honour to append, by those gentlemen with whom so much rests, are in themselves sufficient justification for the action suggested by me, and approved of by yourself. Copy of Correspondence between Registrar of Old-age Pensions and Stipendiary Magistrates. Your Worship,— Old-age Pensions Department, Wellington, N.Z., 24th July, 1903. I should be much obliged if you would kindly give me your opinion upon the working of the new method of examination as compared with the old one. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, Registrar. Replies. Sir,—-. Magistrate's Court, Wellington, 4th September, 1903. Your letter of the 24th July last duly received, asking me for my opinion upon the working of the new method of examination as compared with the old one.

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I have no hesitation in saying that the method of examination is far before the old one, being thorough and searching. 1 , It may on some applications seem hard, but no genuine applicant has anything to fear from the inquiries that are made. It has everything to recommend it. Yours, &c, A. McAhthuh, Stipendiary Magistrate. The New Pensions Regulations. The Magistrate's Office, Wanganui. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 24th ultimo, No. 03/2352 I have no hesitation in saying that the new regulations are a vast improvement on the old ones and that they are en effectual bar against fraud. I really have no amendments to offer at the present time. I think that the new regulations have, inter alia this great merit-™., that they estaS » uniform method of examination; thus the " personal equation "of the Magistrate (his tendency to be lax or over-strict) is got rid of, to the great advantage of the public, and of the pensioners themselves. r Eyre-Kenny, Stipendiary Magistrate. The Magistrate's Court, Invercargill, 7th August, 1903. I am in receipt of your letter re working of the present system of making inquiries. I have to report that it brings to light attempts at Stipendiary Magistrate. The Magistrate's Office, Grevmouth, 13th August, 1903. I think your forms very proper, and I think that without them, or something very like them, it is impossible to protect the colony from imposition. r g Hawkins, S.M. q _ The Magistrate's Office, Auckland, 21st August, 1903. I*' In reply to your letter of the 24th July last, asking for my opinion upon the working of the new method of examination as compared with the old. under Penjns cardinal principle of the new regulations seems to be in the making of the preliminary inquiries of the Dcmitv Registrar less perfunctory and more exhaustive. The practical working of the system lies with the departmental officers, but the result to the Mag W«st^ylin« i^n 3 D w little chance of getting before the Court Formerly, claims which ought never to have been made were found to be bad only alter long and laborious invest - Stion in Court. Now, before a claimant is brought to Court, his claim is pruna facie established g lao not suppose that any system could be devised which fraud might not find a way o evading on occasion, but your present methods appear to me to make the chances of a fraudulent claim being established very slight, g M „ __ Magistrate's Court, Masterton, 30th July, 1903. In reply to your memorandum of the 24th instant, in which you state you would be obliged if I would give you my opinion upon the working of the new method of examination as compared wi h the old one under the Old-age Pensions Regulations, I have the honour to state tITSe iJw regulations, in my opinion, are a vast improvement upon the old, and make the dUti On^a h n\St r ;fan7e r Lr;Sion of the applicant, and most of the statements are verified by outside inquiries. I °p. James, Stipendiary Magistrate. Lawrence, 30th July, 1903. In reply to your memorandum asking my opinion upon the working of the new regulatlnns T can only say that they seem to me to be working well. Personally I Tikthem, as the duties and responsibilities of the Deputy are clearly definedl and the work of the Magistrate kept within the proper sphere of a Judge to decide upon all the statutory inquiries, including the police report, and malJrecommendations to the Magistrate which the latter knows can be relied on, the work of the Magistrate is made much easier and more satisfactory. G. CIIUICKSUANK, S.M. Magistrate's Office, Dunedin, 31st August, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of number and date as per • 208/031 and in reply, beg to state that I find the new method of examination B for'old-age pensions and renewals far in advance of the Cld The' Magistrate receives much more assistance than formerly, and there is far less chance of a dishonest applicant -succeeding in hiding the true particulars as to his property and income. I have, &c, E. H, Carew, Stipendiary Magistrate.

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Sir, — Magistrate's Court, Auckland, 20th August, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 24th ultimo, asking for my opinion on the working of the new rules under the Old-age Pensions Act as compared with the old ones. In deciding pension claims, what the Magistrate requires is the assistance of some one to ascerti on the truth or otherwise of the evidence given by the claimant as to his fulfilment of the conditions in section Bof the Act; in a number of cases the claimant's own evidence is inconclusive or unreliable, and the only way to arrive at the truth is for independent inquiries to be made. I can say that I have noticed lately a decided improvement in the accuracy and completeness of the information supplied to the Court. I have to apologize for my delay in replying to your communication, which was overlooked until your telegram called attention to it. I have, &c, Hubert W. Brabant, S.M. Sir, — New Plymouth, 3rd August, 1903. Your letter of the 24th July last —No. 03/2357 —duly received, and I should have replied earlier, only I was away on circuit at Stratford and Opunake. With regard to the new method of examination of pensioners, I think it is admirable, and is very much superior to the old one. The examination is searching and complete. I have, &c, R. L. Stanford, Stipendiary Magistrate. Sir,— Magistrate's Office, Palmerston North, 12th March, 1904. I am in receipt of your letters of the sth January and the 9th March re the working of the new method of examination of pension claims and renewals. I had not overlooked the matter, but desired some further experience before replying. On the whole, I find the new regulations work very well indeed, and the information obtained under them insures much greater accuracy, while at the same time being a very great saving of time to Magistrates. 1 have, <fee, And. D. Thomson, Stipendiary Magistrate. Another important qualification for a pension which I desire to refer to is that required by subsection (2) of section 8 of the original Act, which provides that an applicant shall have resided continuously in New Zealand for a period of not less than twenty-five years before he is entitled to receive a pension. The evidence on this point should be of the most convincing nature supplied from the most reliable sources, and, although there may be abundant evidence that the claimant arrived or was in the colony twenty-five years previously, it does not follow as a matter of course that he has been in New Zealand all that time. Sight must not be lost of the fact that three and a half days'steam connects New Zealand with a large European population of close upon four millions, of which number considerably over 150,000 are sixty-five years of age and upwards, and, although several of the Australian States have their old-age pensions schemes, it behoves us to be properly safeguarded. It should not be difficult for a claimant who has qualified by residence to prove the fact; but if the evidence submitted on this point is as unreliable as that submitted in regard to age, then I am afraid we have pensioners on the rolls who have no right to be there. In the matter of the gross misstatements made by pensioners in the past above referred to, much difficulty has been experienced by the Department in obtaining convictions under the penal clauses of the Act, owing to the fact that in a great number of instances little or no evidence could be found on the Court papers of the questions asked and the answers given. Magistrates could not be asked to convict where the evidence was wanting, although it has been made abundantly manifest by the system now in vogue that some ex-pensioners would have only been getting their just deserts if sentenced to a term of imprisonment for making wilfully false statements. You will be pleased to learn that no such possibility is likely to arise again, as an accurate and complete record of each pensioner has now been compiled, and is kept filed in the various Courts throughout the colony for reference, giving the financial position, the questions asked, the answers given, and the verification thereof, with the full circumstances under which the Magistrate granted the pension, renewed, or refused it. Upon a pensioner transferring from one district to another, his record follows him, and is filed at the Court nearest the place where he elects to reside, so that at a glance the new Magistrate and the new Deputy Registrar are in possession of the pensioner's full history. This system saves the pensioner and the Department alike much labour and trouble when an application for renewal is under consideration, and attempts at fraud are reduced to a minimum. I would respectfully draw attention to the fact that a sum exceeding £3,300 has been recovered during the years 1902-3 and 1903-4, and paid to the credit of the Public Account. This is the result of Court proceedings and demands made for overpayments found to have been made in the past through the true positions of pensioners not having been stated. If to this sum is added £700 recovered since the books were closed, it will be found that, notwithstanding the enormous clerical work necessitated by the thorough investigation alluded to, the total cost of administering the Act for the past year has been more than defrayed.

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The accompanying table shows the overpajments recovered in each year since the Act came into force, and paid to the Public Account: — £ s. d. Year ended 31st March, 1899 ... ... ... ... Nil. 1900 ... ... ... ... 25 15 0 1901 ... ... ... ... 63 18 4 1902 ... ... ... ... 127 1 11 1903 1,039|11 1* 1904 2,349i14'07t Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 3,606 011 * Including £55 fines. f Including £30 fines. I regret to say that I have not had sufficient time at my disposal to visit all the various charitable institutions where pensioners prefer to reside, to satisfy myself that care and attention is given to them by the governing authorities, but in the few institutions that I did visit I found that pensioners were treated with kindness and consideration. I was not impressed with the building in Nelson known as the Old People's Home, where some thirty pensioners reside, and to the authorities of which this Department paid last year no less a sum than £556 10s. This building is a very old wooden one, and is full of vermin. I know that the responsible authorities have done all that is possible to exterminate the pest, but they have not been successful, and I doubt if they ever will be. On the 31st March there were 615 pensioners residing in such institutions throughout the colony, on whose behalf the sum of £10,184 Bs. 4d. was paid during the year to the controlling bodies by way of maintenance. A further sum of £62 os. 6d., being amounts accrued to date of death, was paid to help defray funeral expenses. A return is appended setting out the distribution of the pensioners in the various homes and hospitals, together with the amounts paid to each institution. During the year the initial report of the Board of Control appointed to administer the oldage pension scheme introduced into New South Wales in 1901 came to hand, and I am able for the first time to compare results as between that State and our colony. On the Ist April, 1902, the latest date on which a comparison is possible, New South Wales was paying pensions to 20,135 persons on the same footing as the New Zealand pensioner— i.e., sixty-five years of age and twentyfive years in the colony, while the number of pensioners in New Zealand, exclusive of Maoris, was 11,721, the relative percentages to the population eligible by age and residence in the two places being as follows: New South Wales, 48 per cent.; New Zealand, 41 per cent. In other words, New Zealand at that time paid pensions to 414 in every thousand, and New South Wales to 485. At the present time in New Zealand only 351 in every thousand eligible as above receive a pension. From the published figures a twelvemonth's expenditure in New South Wales was £523,068, whereas in New Zealand the largest disbursement for any one year was £210,140. The full amount of our pension is £18, as against £26 paid in New South Wales. The difference in the cost of administration of the two Acts is very marked, New South Wales paying £21,000 per annum, or 4 per cent, of the total expenditure, whereas the cost in New Zealand last year was only £3,655, or 1.8 per cent, of the gross expenditure. The accompanying table shows the total amount paid in New Zealand by way of pensions since the Act came into force, together with the cost of administration each year: — Gross Payments „ , on account of ~ V*?' 0 ' . Pensions. Administration. £ £ Year ended 31st March, 1899 (three months)... 3,124 510 1900 157,342 2,360 1901 ... ... 197,292 2,415 1902 ... ... 207,468 2,535 1903 210,140 3,805 1904 ... ... 203,164 3,655 Grand total ... ... ... 978,530 15,280 The total cost of administration has been 1.56 per cent, of the total gross expenditure. In last year's report mention was made of the fact that, on account of advanced age or physical infirmity, some Native pensioners were not capable of protecting themselves from the younger Maoris, who squandered their pension-money. I have gone further into this important question, and, although I am not yet in a position to inform you that the abuse has been stamped out, it has been greatly modified. While upon the subject, allow me to offer the thanks of the Department to the various members of Maori Councils who have rendered most valuable assistance in this connection. After mature consideration it was thought desirable to cancel all existing warrants under section 44 of the original Act in favour of Natives, as well as those held by storekeepers, who were acting as agents for Maori pensioners, and neither the Department nor the pensioners have reason to regret the step taken. Arrangements have been made whereby these pensioners receive their

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instalments direct, if not at a money-order office, then by registered letter through the sub-post-office nearest to where they reside, and no inconvenience has been occasioned by the change. When, however, a pensioner resides at some considerable distance from the nearest post-office, and there is no other way by which his pension can be paid, a storekeeper agent is accepted, the pensioner being required to state on a form supplied for the purpose that it is his express desire that the storekeeper shall draw his pension. This provision also applies in the case of the European pensioner, who must, if he is physically fit and handy to a post-office, collect in person. Time has not permitted of a table being placed before you in this report showing the total income earned and the total property owned by pensioners, such as money in banks, money out on mortgage, freehold and leasehold lands, &c. All this information, together with the amount of money owing by pensioners by way of mortgage on their properties, the amount of annuities drawn, the values of life interests held in property, and the amount of life insurance carried, has been collected during the year, and will be placed before you in my next report. The return, when compiled, should be very interesting reading. The new pensions granted for the year, as before mentioned, number 1,063, of which number forty-four represent pensions which were cancelled in previous years for various reasons. Twentyfive new pensions granted to Maoris are also included in this number. A comprehensive return is appended showing the total number of claims lodged in each district since the Act came into force, the number of claims received during the past year, together with the number of such claims granted and rejected, and the total number of claims awaiting investigation on the 31st March last. The number of claims received last year —namely, I,s44—represents 40 per cent, of the estimated number of those persons who became eligible by age and residence, the number actually granted being 27 per cent. Of the 24,013 claims made altogether, pensions have been granted to 18,561.

Total Number of Claims received since Act came into Force. For Financial Year ending 31st March, 1904. Claims awaiting Investigation on 31st Mar., 1904. District. Deputy Registrar. Claims Claims c , aims received. rejected. Auckland Coromandel ... Dargaville Hamilton Helensville Kaitaia Mangonui Maungaturoto Otahuhu Baglan Bawene Botorua Bussell Taupo Warkworth ... Whangarei Whangaroa ... Thames Opotiki Paeroa Tauranga Te Aroha Whakatane ... Gisborne Port Awanui ... Napier Dannevirke ... Waipawa Wairoa New Plymouth Stratford Wanganui Hawera Marton Patea Wellington Feilding S. Euddock ... D. Banks S. Thompson W. Shanaghan J. Watt W. Sefton ... J. Henry J. Hemphill... G. Foreman ... W. McCarthy F. A. Moore W. Bern W. J. Pardy J. Byan S. Stacey T. Kirk A. G. Douthet J. Jordan C. O'Keilly ... H. B. Bush ... W. A. Thorn H. B. Bush... P. Stackpoole G. J. A. Johnstone W. Kelly ... B. B. Mathias S. Tansley ... J. Bccleton ... H. H. Carr ... W. A. D. Banks C. J. Hewlett C. A. Barton A. Trimble ... J. E. Patrick M. O'Brien ... F. W. Mansfield J. M. Bodgers 2,324 230 182 341 415 24 120 70 671 173 268 159 282 101 168 270 80 474 73 131 236 55 314 269 270 506 285 39 228 440 64 382 137 196 50 952 150 162 10 21 12 8 7 73 6 3 10 5 4 85 1 7 4 2 8 71 7 6 4 1 8 3 15 8 8 11 6 3 7 18 1 27 6 24 20 5 1 17 5 41 19 3 7 33 4 29 19 27 2 66 14 [ 2 7 4 3 4 7 1 6 10 1 23 1 10 6 3 1 9 1 24 15 3 3 18 5 14 12 15 2 50 12 1 4 1 12 1 3 3 2 5 4 1 3 9 2 4 6 9 1 1 4 13 24 16 7 5 3 3 3 6 1 14 5 2 11 2 5 7 5 6 9 3 5 21 2 2

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The number of pensions on the books at the close of the financial year was 11,926, being 555 less than in the previous year, and 850 less than in 1902. Eight hundred and fifty pensioners off the rolls at £16 17s. per pension represent an annual saving of £14,322. There has been in consequence a large drop in the annual liability, ami in addition, there has been an appreciable decrease in the average amount of pension granted. This latter has been brought about by the readjustment of all pensions. The liability at the end of each of the last three years is represented by the following figures: — 1902 ... ... £217,192, or an average of £17 per pension for 12,776 pensions. 1903 ... ... £211,594, „ „ £16 19s. „ 12,481 1904 ... ... £200,915, „ „ £16 17s. „ 11,926 A decrease of 3s. per pension on the number now on the books represents a decreased liability under this head alone of £1,788 per annum. The net decrease of pensions in the chief centres of the colony is as follows: — Death and New „ Cancellations. Grants. decrease. Auckland ... ... ... 143 73 70 Dunedin... ... ... ... 139 104 35 Wellington ... ... ... 63 50 13 Christchurch ... ... ... 153 147 6 Invercargill ... ... ... 60 59 1 The total number of Maori pensioners is 729.

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District. Deputy Registrar. Total For Financial Year ending claims Number of I 31st March, 1904. awa i t i ng Claims I Investigareceived tion on since Act clajms Claims C|aims 31st Mar„ came into . d es a- rejeoted 1904 . Force. bushed. J Grey town Masterton Otaki Pahiatua Palmerston North Nelson Motueka Blenheim Havelock Christchurch ... Akaroa Amberley Ashburton Culverden Kaiapoi Kaikoura Timaru Fairlie Temuka Waimate H. D. Armour E. Bawson ... T. O'Bourke W. J. Beeve... W. Matravers C. H, Webb-Bowen ... L. Bead J. Terry H. McArdle... L. C. Williams E. P. Bird ... M. Boche ... T. W. Tayler A. S. Bird ... A. G. Ashby... J. P. Clarkson T. Howley ... S. Kidd ' ... J. Gillespie ... W. Y. Purchase B. Harper ... A. Askenbeck J. C. Malfrov E. C. Kelling B.P.Ward... B. Hill W.A.Matthews F. T. D. Jeffrey A. M. Eyes ... D. McBae ... F.W.Hart... W. Hilliard... B. H. Paterson J. B. Colyer... A. A. Mair ... A. F. Bent ... B. W. Bavner 159 199 112 71 309 500 140 307 18 2,106 96 11 348 13 484 43 248 19 224 156 729 250 862 440 395 1,765 222 165 311 195 161 91 309 978 199 239 10 10 16 7 4 33 21 3 9 1 171 7 7 8 4 3 18 11 3 9 1 147 2 3 1 3 9 2 1 2 2 5 2 1 4 8 6 "lO 2 '"32 2 "24 26 3 3 '"37 33 4 2 16 "l3 3 1 Greymouth ... Beef ton Hokitika Westport Oamaru Dunedin Balclutha Clyde Lawrence Milton Naseby Palmerston South Port Chalmers Invercargill Queenstown ... Biverton Chatham Islands 15 11 43 15 47 41 28 117 17 14 14 8 15 7 6 84 11 21 2 10 6 36 10 43 22 24 104 13 13 10 6 10 6 13 59 8 13 1 1 4 2 3 2 7 2 15 2 1 2 5 1 5 5 11 10 12 4 2 2 2 2 1 1 19 12 7 4 1 7 2 1 Totals... 24,013 1,544 1,063 311 419

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The following table shows the percentage of European pensioners in each year since 1901 to the total population which has been qualified by age and residence: — Population quali- Number fied by Age and of European Percentage. Residence. Pensioners. 31st March, 1901 ... ... ... 26,563 (actual) 11,307 42 1902 ... ... ... 28,330 (estimated) 11,721 41 1903 ... ... ... 30,044 „ 11,589 38 1904 31,872 „ 11,197 35 Further tables are appended showing the distribution of the pensioners in the various districts throughout the colony, the number in each Island, the sexes and conjugal condition of all pensioners, and the ages and occupations of the European pensioners. The instalments for the year unpaid on the 31st March amounted to £2,298 os. 7d. Of this amount £2,081 15s. 7d. represents instalments which are absolutely forfeited, the balance of £216 ss. being instalments the payment of which is in abeyance. The annual number of deaths maintains a high percentage, the total for the year being 928, or 7 per cent, of the pensioners who were alive at the commencement of the year. The deaths among Maoris numbered sixty-eight, the percentage being the same as in the case of Europeans. A table is appended showing the ages at date of death of the European portion. During the year twenty-four pensioners were committed to asylums. Of the many things yet to be done in the w r aj' of placing the working of the old-age pensions scheme on a thoroughly satisfactory basis, one of the most important is that of arranging for a system whereby all applications for renewal in country districts, where the number of pensioners is not too heavy, will be heard and determined by the presiding Magistrate at a stated time in each year. This will be undertaken at an early date, and the result will be that instead of a number of sittings of the Old-age Pensions Court in such districts being held throughout the year, Magistrates will be asked to dispose of the whole year's renewals at one sitting. Matters will be so arranged that this sitting will be coincident with the expiry of the various pension-certificates issued in the district, and it will be a convenience to a large body of pensioners to have their pensions continuous. As it is at present, a Court may not sit for six months in some of the scattered districts — three-monthly Courts are common —and the unfortunate pensioner whose pension expires just after one Court, and who may be eligible for another year, has to wait until the next Court day before payment of his pension is authorised. A great saving of labour will result all round by the introduction of such a system, and the travelling-expenses of Magistrates, Deputy Registrars, and police constables will be reduced to a minimum. Head Office will benefit considerably, in that the work will be equally spread over the year, the position at present being that there is a great rush in the early part of the year wherein occurs the anniversary of the granting of 75 per cent, of the pensions on the rolls. This system could not be made to apply in the large centres of population, as the number of pensioners is too large, and the time of the Courts could not be taken up by protracted sittings. It is also proposed during the ensuing year to go into the question of the rearrangement of the boundaries of a number of Old-age Pensions Districts, whereby Clerks of Courts who are now responsible to other clerks in the same district will be responsible to Head Office. Better results will, I think, be obtained when I am enabled to have direct communication with such officers who, besides having the local knowledge, actually superintend the granting of a large number of pensions. If an old-age pension scheme is to be successfully carried out sentiment must not be allowed to play any part in it. The Legislature has made law a humane scheme whereby all deservingcolonists in New Zealand possessing the necessary qualifications shall be entitled as a right to a pension during their declining years. These should and do receive every consideration, assistance, and kindness when they make application for a pension and afterwards, but they must be protected from the underserving who, by means of misrepresentation and fraud, whether it be by their own action or at the instigation of others (and I chink the latter is more responsible than the former), procure or attempt to procure a pension to which by law they are not entitled. It is this latter class that has been dealt witli in a manner that may appear harsh, but it should be remembered that such action was absolutely necessary to act as a warning to others who might contemplate doing the same thing, and to protect our deserving aged as well as the public purse. J. Eman Smith, Registrar.

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APPENDIX.

Number and Annual Value of Pensions granted to Europeans and Maoris in Force on the 31st March, 1904.

Pensions in Fokce on the 31st March, 1904, in North and South Islands. Europeans. Maoris. Liability £ - In North Island 4,436 .. 683 .. 86,420 In South Island 6,761 .. 46 .. 114,495 11,197 .. 729 .. £200,915 2—H. 18.

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District. Number. Annual Value. Europeans. Maoris. Number. District. Number. Annual Value. Europeans | Maoris. Auckland* .. Coromandel Dargaville .. Hamilton .. Helensville .. Kaitaia Mangonui .. Maungaturoto Otahuhu Raglan Rawene Rotorua Russell Taupo Warkworth Whangarei .. Whangaroa.. Thames Opotiki Paeroa 1,137 78 55 136 41 17 9 35 180 12 14 11 56 1 67 131 11 247 15 59 32 32 5 57 5 256 147 23 10 180 25 175 62 73 20 531 90 79 11 30 18 39 18 10 20 82 45 81 25 1 24 "4 29 6 39 1 47 31 16 1 1 £ S. 19,434 6 1,893 0 926 0 2,496 0 722 0 933 0 456 0 553 0 3,007 0 517 0 1,571 0 990 0 2,246 0 444 0 1,006 0 2,213 0 597 0 4,276 0 775 0 1,112 0 1,231 0 570 0 931 0 1,473 0 378 0 4,305 0 2,457 0 398 0 865 0 3,301 0 426 0 3,193 0 1,127 0 1,351 0 353 0 9,221 0 1,621 0 1,331 0 Masterton .. Otaki Pahiatua Palmerston North Nelson Motueka Blenheim .. Havelock Christchurch Akaroa Amberley Ashburton .. Culverden .. Kaiapoi Kaikoura Timaru Fairlie Temuka Waimate Greymouth Reefton Hokitika Westport Oamaru Dunedin Balclutha .. Clyde Lawrence .. Milton Naseby Palmerston South Port Chalmers Invercargill Queenstown Riverton Chatham Islands 82 55 31 154 245 72 142 7 1,211 34 8 202 5 274 21 143 4 114 93 461 135 489 233 210 943 135 102 193 124 95 53 164 611 105 130 3 1 12 4 4 "a "a 6 6 2 "a £ a. 1.421 0 1,153 0 475 0 2,672 0 4,031 0 1,145 0 2.422 0 126 0 20,017 0 626 0 133 0 3,370 0 81 0 4,641 0 389 0 2,429 0 63 0 1,856 0 1,543 0 8,160 0 2,388 0 8,474 0 4,109 0 3,563 0 16,046 0 2,303 0 1,800 0 3,239 0 1,982 0 1,608 0 870 0 2,675 0 10,185 0 1,817 0 2,322 0 82 0 Tauranga Te Aroha Whakatane Gisborne Port Awanui Napier Dannevirke Waipawa Wairoa New Plymouth Stratford Wanganui .. Hawera Marton Patea Wellington .. Feilding Greytown .. 43 20 2 4 2 1 10 2 6 1 3 6 1 "5 1 4 2 Totals 11,197 729 £200,915 0 * Two hundi •ed pensions were tram if erred to this di strict during the year from the Helens ille district.

H.—lB.

Sexes of Pensioners on the Rolls at the 31st March, 1904.

Number of Pensions granted in each Financial Year, together with the Number of such Pensions in Force on the 31st March, 1904. M . , , Percentage of Pensions granted Po JNumoer ot such Perjsions in Foroe ;„ „„„v, v, „,. Pensions still in Force . t, in each Year. qq v to Pensions ' granted. Year ended 31st March, 1899 ... 7,487 4,268 57 1900 ... 4,699 2,664 57 1901 ... 2,227 1,507 68 1902 ... 1,694 1,282 76 1903 ... 1,391 1,172 84 1904 ... 1,063 1,033 97 18,561 11,926

Ages of European Pensioners oh the Roll at the 31st Marco, 1904. Number. Number. Number. At age 65 ... ... 60 At age 78 ... ... 352 At age 91 ... 13 „ 66 ... ... 444 „ 79 ... ... 308 „ 92 ... 10 » 67 ... ... 636 „ 80 ... ... 244 „ 93 ... 7 „ 68 ... ... 730 „ 81 ... ... 213 „ 94 .. 2 . 69 928 „ 82 ' 151 „ 95 ... 1 . 70 1,468 „ 83 157 „ 96 ... . 1 . 71 1,207 „ 84 137 „ ;i7 ... .. 1 . , 72 947 „ 85 101 „ 100 ... . l „ 73 ... ... 803 „ 86 ... ... 55 „ 101 1 „ 74 707 „ 87 45 „ 103 ... 2 „ 75 ... ... 554 „ 88 ... ... 45 . 76 413 „ 89 26 Total ... 11,197 „ 77 ... ... 408 „ 90 ... ... 19 I

10

Sexes of Pensioners on the lolls at the 31st M ,rch, 1904. ■1 District. Europeans. Male. Female. Maoris. District. Europeans. Maoris. Male. Female. Male. Female. Male. Female. Auckland .. Coromandel Dargaville .. Hamilton .. Helensville.. Kaitaia Mangonui .. Maungaturoto Otahuhu Raglan Eawene Rotorua Russell Taupo Warkworth Whangarei Whangaroa Thames Opotiki Paeroa Tauranga .. Te Aroha .. Whakatane Gisbome Port Awanui Napier Dannevirke Waipawa .. Wairoa New Plymouth Stratford .. Wanganui .. Hawera Marton Patea Wellington Feilding Greytown .. 571 57 42 73 34 14 6 21 94 8 11 8 38 566 21 13 63 7 3 3 14 86 4 3 3 18 1 27 44 3 100 7 18 12 10 2 15 7 19 4 11 Masterton Otaki Pahiatua Palmerston North .. Nelson Motueka Blenheim Havelock Christchurch Akaroa Amberley Ashburton Culverden Kaiapoi Kaikoura Timaru Pairlie Temuka Waimate Greymouth Reefton Hokitika Westport Oamaru Dunedin Balclutha Clyde Lawrence Milton Naseby Palmerston South .. Port Chalmers Invercargill Queenstown Riverton Chatham Islands 50 37 19 98 138 39 81 6 601 24 8 144 3 151 16 76 3 65 59 384 119 372 181 126 474 83 81 138 67 75 29 79 376 77 92 2 32 18 12 56 107 33 61 1 610 10 "3 1 9 "c 7 4 3 23 0 1 16 12 1 1 7 13 46 21 41 7 3 7 36 24 40 18 58 2 123 5 67 1 49 34 77 16 117 52 84 469 52 21 55 57 20 24 85 235 28 38 1 4 3 2 40 87 8 147 8 41 20 22 3 42 5 157 86 15 8 98 16 100 36 49 15 251 56 48 2 2 4 1 15 3 11 4 14 1 17 15 5 1 1 9 1 18 2 25 1 2 2 1 1 30 16 11 2 1 1 99 61 8 2 82 9 75 26 24 5 280 34 31 30 11 G 2 2 1 1 3 13 9 "2 1 4 3 4 1 2 3 o 3 1 6,708 4,489 371 I 358 Totals Number of Pensions granted in each Financial Year, together with the Number of such Pensions in Force on the 31st March, 1904. Pensions granted £*£&£* in each Year. oq to Pensions Year ended 31st March, 1899 ... 7,487 4,268 57° 1900 ... 4,699 2,664 57 1901 ... 2,227 1,507 68 1902 ... 1,694 1,282 76 1903 ... 1,391 1,172 84 1904 ... 1,063 1,033 97 18,561 11,926 Ages of European Pensioners ou the Roll at the 31st March, 1904. Number. Number. Numbor. At age 65 ... ... 60 At age 78 ... ... 862 I At age 91 ... ... 13 » 66 ... ... 444 „ 79 ... ... 308 „ 92... 10 „ 67 ... ... 636 „ 80 ... ... 244 93 ' ' 7 „ 68 730 „ 81 213 „ 94 ... 2 „ 69 928 „ 82 ' 151 „ 95 . 1 „ 70 1,468 „ 83 157 „ 96 . 1 „ 71 1,207 „ 84 137 ! „ 97 1 - „ 72 947 „ 85 101 „ 100 ... 1 „ 73 803 „ 86 55 „ 101 1 „ 74 707 „ 87 45 „ 103 ... 2 „ 75 ... ... 554 „ 88 ... ... 45 „ 76 413 „ 89 26 Total ... 11,197 „ 77 408 „ 90 19 |

H.—lB.

The following particulars relate to the four Pensioners who have reached the age of 100, and were last seen alive on Ist instant:— No. District. Sex. Address. Bom. Conjugal Condition. 18 Havelock ... Male ... Kenepuru ... 15 Feb., 1804 Unmarried. 343 Ashburton ... „ Ashburton ... 24 June, 1803 Widower. 149 Masterton ... „ ... Waterfalls ... 1801 853 Invercargill ... Female... Hokonui ... 1801 Widow. No. 343, Ashburton, draws his pension in person.

Conjugal Condition of the Pensioners to whom Pensions have been granted since the Act came into Force. Single, 3,707 ... Married, 8,162 ... Widowed, 6,692 ... Total, 18,561.

Occupations of European Pensioners. Males. Auctioneer ... ... 1 Chimney-sweep ... 5 Printer ... ... 5 Architect ... ... 4 Calico-printer ... 1 Photographer ... 2 Accountant .. ... 5 Driver ... ... 21 Painter ... ... 22 Agent ... ... 20 Dealer ... ... 7 Plasterer ... ... 5 Assayer ... ... 1 Dairyman ... ... 6 Plumber ... ... 8 Apiarist ... ... 1 Draper ... ... 2 Postmaster ... ... 2 Artist ... ... 2 Dentist ... ... 1 Poundkeeper... ... 4 Attendant ... ... 10 Draughtsman ... 2 Poultry-breeder ... 3 Average-adjuster ... 1 Drill instructor ... 2 Rope-maker ... ... 5 Blacksmith ... ... 27 Engineer ... ... 8 Rabbiter ... ... 24 Brickmaker ... ... 8 Engine-driver ... 3 Ranger ... ... 1 Bootmaker ... ... 75 Farmer ... ... 299 Runholder ... ... 1 Butcher ... ... 22 Fellmonger .... ... 5 Surgeon ... ... 2 Baker ... ... 34 Fisherman ... ... 42 Surgical-belt maker ... 1 Bricklayer ... ... 20 Fruitgrower ... ... 5 Shepherd ... ... 34 Basket-maker ... 2 Fruiterer ... ... 8 Shearer ... ... 2 Brewer ... ... 3 Fireman ... ... 2 Shipwright .. ... 12 Boardinghouse-keeper... 1 Grocer ... ... 4 Seaman ... ... 25 Billiard-marker ... 4 Gardener ... ... 211 Overseer ... ... 1 Boatman ... ... 4 Groom ... ... 7 Sailmaker ... ... 2 Bullock-driver ... 2 Gum-digger ... ... 193 Shopkeeper ... ... 29 Bellman ... ... 1 Hairdresser ... ... 5 Saddler ... ... 8 Battery-manager ... 1 Hotelkeeper ... ... 1 Stonemason ... ... 9 Bookseller ... ... 9 Hawker ... ... 12 Sawmiller ... ... 5 Bacon-curer ... ... 1 Horse-trainer ... 1 Soldier ... ... 1 Carpenter ... ... 205 Hatter ... ... 1 Surveyor ... ... 1 Carter ... ... 40 Interpreter ... ... 1 Teacher ... ... 9 Cook ... ... 62 Inspector ... ... 2 Telephonist ... ... 1 Commercial traveller ... 3 Journalist ... ... 2 Tinsmith ... ... 3 Clerk ... ... 24 Labourer ... ... 3,807 Taxidermist ... ... 1 Contractor ... ... 12 Lawyer ... ... 2 Undertaker ... ... 1 Currier ... ... 6 Leather-dresser ... 1 Umbrella-maker ... 5 Cooper ... ... 7 Miner ... ... 1,103 Verger ... ... 4 Caretaker ... ... 14 Mine-manager ... 1 Veterinary surgeon ... 3 Coachsmith ... ... 3 Miller ... ... 7 Wheelwright... ... 10 Coffee-stall keeper ... 1 Mail-carrier ... ... 5 Wool-sorter ... ... 7 Chemist ... ... 1 Messenger ... ... 4 Watchmaker... ... 4 Cordial-maker ... 3 Musician ... ... 1 Wood-cutter... ... 12 Clergyman ... ... 1 Ointment-maker ... 1 Civil engineer ... 1 Oyster-dealer ... 1 Total ... 6,708 Females. Domestic duties ... 4,270 Music-teacher ... 7 I Postmistress... ... 4 Charwoman ... ... 19 Nurse ... ... 107 . Laundress ... ... 36 Needlewoman ... 46 Total ... 4,489

11

12

H.-18

Nationalities of Pensioners to whom Pensions were granted during the Financial Year ended 31st March, 1904. ~ , Nnmher Number. Number. JNumDer. . English . 536 Prince Edward Island 1 Irench ... ■•■ 4 Irish 217 New-Zealander (Euro- Italian ... ... a Scotch 179 pean) ... 1 Austrian Welsh ... 5 American ... ... 7 Corsican ... ... 1 Canadian 4 German ... 27 Portugese 1 Tasmanian 8 Danish 17 Maori & NovaScotian ... 2 Swedish 8 Morion 1 Barbadoes ... ... 2 Norwegian ... ... 5 West Indies 1 Swiss 4 Total ... 1,063 New South Wales ... 2

Agbs of European Pensioners who died during the Year ended the 31st March, 1904. Number. Number. Number. Atage6s 10 At age 78 4 At age 91 ... 6 " II : £::: ... 27 .93 ... s " fi/, "■ 46 „ 81 29 ~ 94 ... 1 "tl 62 82 28 .95 ... 0 "?S 77 83 22 „96 ... 1 "l\ 66 84 23 .97 ... 1 "11 56 85 ... ... 15 „98 ... 0 "11 64 86 4 „99 ... 1 "51 :;. ::: To 87 13 „ 100 ;; 75 47 „ 88 a „ 101 ... _i "J? ■" 42 "„ 90 ::: '.'.'. 4 Total ... 860

Number of Pensions granted since the Act came into Operation, Number of Deaths and Cancellations, and Number in Force at End of each Year.

Number of Pensions granted. Cancellations. In Force at End of Year. Liability each Year. Year ending the 31st March. Deaths. 1899... 1900. . 1901... 1902... 1903... 1904... 7,487 4,699 2,227 1,694 1,391 1,063* 38 786 815 935 1,064 928 6 71 292 388 622 690 7,443 11,285 12,405 12,776 12,481 11,926 £ 127,319 193,718 211,965 217,192 211,594 200,915 Totals... 18,561 4,566 2,069 * Inoluding forty-four pensions previously canoelled and now reinstated.

13

H.—lB

Comparative Statement of Pensions in Force, and Payments made in each Financial Year since the Act came into Operation.

Comparative Return of the Number of Payments made in each Postal District throughout the Colony during the Years ended 31st March, 1903, and 31st March, 1904. r, . , t%i , • , Number of Payments, Number of Payments, Postal District. Vj(&-L 1903-4. Auckland ... ... ... ... 31,903 29,529 Blenheim ... ... ... ... 2,007 1,931 Christchurch ... ... ... 21,182 21,108 Dunedin ... ... ... ... 22,706 22,168 Gisborne ... ... ... ... 1,380 1,324 Greymouth ... ... ... ... 6,524 6,467 Hokitika ... ... ... ... 6,278 6,115 Invercargill.. ... ... ... 9,429 9,598 Napier ... ... .. ... 5,710 5,524 Nelson ... ... ... ... 4,233 4,032 New Plymouth ... ... ... 2,950 2,646 Oamaru ... ... ... 2,960 2,752 Thames ... ... ... ... 5,885 5,702 Timaru ... ... ... ... 4,611 4,418 Wanganui ... ... ... ... 4,628 4,175 Wellington ... ... ... ... 12,796 13,054 Westport ... .. ... ... 3,494 3,383 Totals ... ... ... 148,676 143,926

Cost of Administration for the Financial Year ended 31st March, 1904. £ s. d. £ s. d. Salaries ... ... ... ... ... 2,259 17 1 Other charges—Clerical assistance ... ... 420 16 0 Contribution to Post Office to pay salaries of officers employed on old-age pensions work ... ... ... 520 0 0 Travelling-expenses of Registrar, Stipendiary Magistrates, Deputy Registrars, Police Constables, Interpreters' fees, &c. ... 274 9 5 Contingencies ... ... ... 179 19 8 —— 1,395 5 1 Total ... ... .. £3,655 2 2 3-H. 18.

Date. Number of Pensions in Force. Payments to End of Financial Year. Expenditure. Pensions. Increase. Decrease. Increase. Deorease. £ 3,124 157,342 197,292 207,468 210,140 203,164 £ £ .t 31st March, 1899 ... 1900 ... 1901 ... 1902 ... 1903 ... 1904 ... 7,443 11,285 12,405 12,776 12,481 11,926 154,218 39,950 10,176 2,672 3,842 1,120 371 6,976* 295 555 Totals £978,530 850 * Decrease in actual expenditure Plus— Refunds to Public Account Refunds by way of fine Refunds obtained since the books closed, as result of year's work £ 6,976 2,319 30 700 £10,025

H.—lB

14

Number of Old-age Pensioners maintained by Charitable Institutions throughout the Colony on the 31st March, 1904, together with the Amounts paid to such Institutions during the Year.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (1,675 copies), JEI3 lis.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o4. Price 6d.]

Controlling Body. Institution. Payments. •°° S as as5.s2 55(V a 53 Amount handed t< Pensioners after Deduction of Maintenance. Location. Name. Whangarei Auckland North of Auckland Charitable Aid Board.. Auckland Charitable Aid Board Little Sisters of the Poor Veterans' Home Thames and Coromandel Charitable Aid Board Waikato Charitable Aid Board Cook District Charitable Aid Board Gisborne Hospital Trustees Hawke's Bay United Charitable Aid Board Napier Charitable Aid Board Waipawa Hospital Trustees Taranaki District Charitable Aid Board .. Patea and Wanganui Charitable Aid Board Wanganui Hospital Board Palmerston North Charitable Aid Board.. Otaki Hospital Trustees Wellington Hospital Trustees Benevolent Institution Contributors Society for Relief of Aged Needy Sisters of Compassion Old Men's Home Costley Home Home £ s. d. 160 4 2 1,128 15 0 398 0 5 110 15 0 161 10 0 12 61 20 26 10 2s. 6d. per month. Is. per week. Nil. Thames Old Men's Home 4s. per month. Hamilton Gisborne Napier Waipawa New Plymouth Wanganui Hospital Old People's Home Hospital Old Men's Home Jubilee Home Hospital 178 8 4 85 10 0 3 0 0 534 6 8 1 10 0 1 10 0 215 5 5 295 10 0 7 10 0 45 0 0 6 0 0 6 0 0 300 0 0 489 0 0 154 10 0 10 4 26 i3 16 4s. Is. per week. 4s. 4d. per month. 8s. 4d. per month. 5s. per mouth. Palmerston N. Otaki Wellington 1 Hospital 3 18 26 9 u •. Ohiro Home Home Home for Incurables 4s. per month. 6s. 2d. per month. 4s. 2d. per month (average). Is. per week. 4s. per month. 4s. 6s. 6s. 5s. 6s. 5s. 5s. Blenheim Picton Nelson Westport Charleston Reefton Greymouth Hokitika Wairua Charitable Aid Board Picton Charitable Aid Board Nelson Charitable Aid Board Buller Charitable Aid Board Charleston Hospital Trustees Reefton Hospital Trustees Greymouth Hospital Trustees Westland Hospital Trustees Westland Charitable Aid Board Hokitika Benevolent Institution Kumara Hospital Trustees North Canterbury Hospital Board North Canterbury and Ashburton Charitable Aid Board Ditto Samaritan Home Trustees Ashburton Hospital Trustees South Canterbury Charitable Aid Board.. North Otago Benevolent Society Otago Benovolent Institution Dunstan Hospital Trustees Cromwell Hospital Trustees Southland Charitable Aid Board j Southland Hospital Trustees Old Men's Home Hospital Old People's Home Hospital.. 99 0 0 72 0 0 556 10 0 214 10 0 6 5 30 16 4* 8 33 28 7* 163 10 0 632 18 4 368 10 0 Hospital (Ross) 9 0 0 Kumara Christchurch .. Hospital ii* Jubilee Home 24 0 0 360 0 0 20 Nil. Old Men's Home, Ashburton Samaritan Home Hospital Old Men's Home 490 10 0 51 0 0 3 0 0 164 3 4 151 10 0 1,672 1 8 6 0 0 4 10 0 26 2 Ashburton Timaru Oamaru Dunedin Clyde Cromwell Benevolent Institution Hospital 9 7 102 1 Is. per week. 6s. per month. 4s. Invercargill .. Bowmont Street Home Lome Farm Hospital 1 844 lo 0 45 | 4s. 6d. per month. 8s. 6d. * .. 15 0 0 Total £10,184 8 4 615 * These tensii ►ners draw their own lensions.