The wife of a respectable labourer had been ailing for some years, and at the time an application was made to us through the Scripture Reader of the parish she had been bedridden for fifteen months. The husband belonged to two clubs, but his wages, though regular, were not sufficient to provide the extra comforts much needed in such case. Temporary help was given by the almoner of the Society for the Relief of Distress, and through advertisement in the Reporter a sum was obtained sufficient to provide nourishment until the poor woman's death, five months afterwards. The case was put in the hands of one of our visitors, and the manner and amount of help given varied according to her suggestions; amongst other things, a water bed was obtained and lent. A widow wanted to start a sewing machine; she had never worked one, but was a sensible, handy women, and a friend had promised to teach her. Work was also promised. There was no immediate distress, as two sons were earning enough to just keep the family. £1 was given as part hire of a sewing machine, so as to give time for the woman to earn something before being called on to make the usual weekly payments. She is now doing well. A single woman, of 30, applied to us for help to get a situation. She found great difficulty in doing so, having never been out before. Had since her father's death been living on a donation granted by his late employers, and had hardly anything left. Temporary help was given, and by advice of our visitor she was sent to a Convalescent Home for a short time. A situation was then obtained for her, but this she lost; as there was some doubt as to whether this was entirely her own fault another place was got for her, but this also proving a failure, she was told that we could do nothing more. appeared to consider that we would go on helping for an indefinite time, and took no trouble herself to get a place after losing the first one. She A respectable old widow, 67, wanted help, being unable through age and bad health to earn enough to keep herself. A married son in the country was allowing 18. a week, and other relations were helping a little. A little help had also been occasionally given from the chapel to which she belonged. The minister was written to, and kindly promised the help given by them should be a regular fixed sum. With this and the relations' help as a start we were able to raise sufficient for her to live upon. We are allowing 2s. 6d. per week. At the present time we have twelve pensioners on our books, seven of them being fresh ones this year, besides the case first mentioned above. We are also helping towards the support of two children. It is always difficult, in fact almost impossible, to raise pensions without local aid or assistance from relations or old employers. In the adjoining union great help is given in this way by the Tower Hamlets Pension Society, but they will not assist in districts were out-relief is given. The thanks of this Committee are due, as heretofore, to Dr. Corner, for giving, in all sick cases, his invaluable medical opinion; to Mr. Marsh, for legal advice kindly given in cases of difficulty; and to all others who, by their efforts, have advanced the cause and promoted the aims of the Society. The Secretary will be glad to see at any time those interested in or desiring information about the work of the Society. Rev. W. C. BOWIE. Secretary-Mr. H. J. FORTH. Inquiry Officer-Mr. JAMES POSSEE. Office - 9 St. George's Circus, Southwark, S. E. Hours From 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. (Sundays and Bank Holidays excepted). Committee meets on Tuesday at 11.30 A.M. and Thursday at 3 P.M. REPORT. In presenting their Thirteenth Annual Report to their subscribers and friends, the St. Saviour's Committee of the Charity Organisation Society have nothing very fresh or startling to relate. The work which they have been carrying on in the district during the past year has closely resembled that of former years. The principles also on which they have carried on their work remain the same. The Committee have done more work this year than last year. They have dealt with a larger number of cases, they have assisted more people, and they have continued, and in some instances extended, their co-operation with the clergy, the guardians, and other authorities and agencies. They are still conscious, however, that the work of alleviating the distress, improving the homes, and elevating the lives of the poor, is a long way from being accomplished. The apparently reasonable, simple, and eminently useful work of organising charitable help is only yet in its infancy. So far from there being no longer any necessity for soliciting money and personal aid in support of their work, the Committee feel more strongly and earnestly than ever that it will take many a long year of hard, faithful, zealous labour to bring about the very elementary condition of things which they wish to reach. There are still many difficulties and prejudices to overcome. The Committee believe that some considerable progress has been made. The Society, in spite of all the harsh and unjust charges that have been preferred against it, has been a great educating influence. The clergy and their district visitors, and charitable people generally, though they do not work up to the Society's ideal, nor carry out to the full its practical rules, are more cautious and judicious than they were previous to the formation of the Society. There is some satisfaction in knowing so much. At one time some people imagined that nothing was simpler than the distribution of charity; the same people are now beginning to perceive that few things are more difficult. The Committee have always contended, and they still contend that, in order to help the poor, you want to have, working amongst them, men and women with large, generous hearts, also with sound judgment, wide knowledge, and a varied experience. To guide the judgment, increase the knowledge, and add to the experience of all who are ready and willing to help the poor may fairly be described as the special function of the Charity Organisation Society. The Society pleads for co-operation, unity of aim and effort, thoroughness and permanence, as far as possible, in what is attempted or done. Only those who have given some attention and thought to the subject, and who have schooled themselves to view conduct in the light of principle, can form any conception of the complexity of the problems and the far-reaching nature of the issues which are involved in the simplest act of so-called charity. Much that goes by the name of charity brings no real blessing to the recipient or to the community, but often (could we but see the end) a curse upon both. The Committee plead, then, for increased sympathy and support in their work. They have no interests to serve except the interests of the poor themselves, and the interests of the whole community to which rich and poor alike belong. The number of cases dealt with shows that the Committee have not been idle; but returns necessarily give a very dry and bald outline of a large amount of varied and interesting work. The Hon. Secretaries devote much time and thought to the work; they hold a great many interviews, write a large number of letters, send out a great many reports, and endeavour to obtain help for suitable cases from local agencies and general institutions. There are some people who think that the work could be done quite as well without such a large expenditure of time and thought. The Committee set up no claim to infallibility. They are human, and therefore they are liable to make mistakes, even when they try to do their best to avoid them. Again and again, however, they are confirmed in the opinion that their methods are on the whole just and necessary. They are strengthened in this conviction even by their failures. At times, after the fullest investigation and the most careful thinking, they discover that cases do not turn out so well as they had hoped. For example, sewing machines and mangles have been procured for widows and others in the belief and hope that by means of them they would be able to obtain their living. On several occasions, however, the Committee have found that the person who pleaded for the machine or mangle could not make it answer. This result showed us that our inquiries had probably not been extensive enough, and that our judgment on the chances of success had been founded on insufficient data. Then, on the other hand, the Committee could point to several instances where careful, judicious management ended in permanently setting up a man or woman in work, where there seemed no chance at all on first hearing the tale of grief or misfortune. Persons outside the Committee are beginning to realise this also. A short time ago, a leading newspaper related a sad case of misery and wretchedness, and a benevolent gentleman who was interested in the story immediately wrote to the Committee offering to help the case if help was needed, and if the help would do any good. Many people would have simply sent a dole straight to the house of the person named in the paper without any personal inquiry, and the chances are that only a very temporary good would have been the result. In the above case, after careful inquiry and consideration, it was found possible to lift the family out of their distress by providing them with means whereby they were able to obtain more work, and Lecome self-supporting. The case was on the books for several weeks, but it was never forgotten. Help was rendered when and where it was needed, and not otherwise. The Committee may safely say that while hasty or inadequate inquiry and consideration have frequently led them astray, careful investigation and calm consideration have always ended in the most just and satisfactory treatment of cases, whether the cases were assisted or dismissed. The Convalescent work of the Committee has largely increased, and they view this part of their work with favour. They feel that it is very important that men or women who have work to do, but who through illness are unable to do it, should have an opportunity of going to a good Convalescent Home for a few weeks to recruit their strength. The St. Saviour's Committee have not, to their knowledge, failed to procure admission for a single deserving case that has come before them-if the doctor certified that residence at a Home would permanently restore the applicant to health and enable him to resume his work. By the help of our Central Office, we have been able during the past year to send all applicants to seaside or Convalescent Homes at a cost of 108, each case. This 108. has to be provided in some way or other by the Committee for every case. As there is often much difficulty in obtaining it, and delay occasioned, it is now proposed to commute these payments by the payment of a sum of £25, so that the Committee may be able, for twelve months from the day of payment, to send to Convalescent Homes all their cases absolutely free except the expenses of the journey. The Committee are now endeavouring to raise this £25, and will be glad to receive contributions towards it. In regard to the progress of our work in the neighbourhood, the Committee are glad to record some measure of success, but they are also compelled to say, what they have said before, that it is to them a source of great surprise and much regret that they do not receive more support from the wealthy employers of labour in the district. Various meetings and conferences have been held, able addresses have been delivered, countless leaflets and reports have been sent out, and yet we have to relate that the district of St. Saviour's last year contributed to the general funds £17. 78., while the total expenses of the Committee amounted to £233. The Committee also expended £240 in relief, towards which they only received £24 from the district. There has been in the district generally a great outcry on the condition of the poor and the state of their houses. It was only to be expected that much of the outery should end in nothing but talk. It has not all ended in talk. Some real, good, solid work has been done, and the Committee individually and collectively have taken a warm interest in the questions that have been raised, and the proposals that have been made. Their office has been open to several ladies and gentlemen who were anxious to work in the neighbourhood. Miss Chambers and her friends have, during the past year, at their own expense, arranged for boarding out and training several children of widows and others recommended by this Committee, for which the Committee desire to express their grateful thanks. The sanitary condition of the district is certainly better than it was, though much remains to be done yet, and there are now in the district several agencies at work, notably that of Miss Octavia Hill, which seem likely to bring about some good results in regard to the better housing of the poor. In conclusion, the Committee have every reason to rejoice in the increased attention which the problems affecting the welfare of the poor are now receiv ing, and they hope in time to see the good seed which they and others are trying to sow spring up and bear an abundant harvest. Meanwhile, they would urge their friends and supporters to increased faith and zeal in the promotion of the principles of a Society which years of experience only prove to be more useful and necessary than ever, if the curse of pauperism and the miseries of poverty are to be checked or alleviated. The Committee desire to express their gratitude to all who have hitherto supported them; and they would especially thank the relieving officers and other officials who have aided their endeavours to work harmoniously with the Poor Law and other local authorities. Several ladies have also helped the Committee in the visitation of cases. Contributions, whether in the form of subscriptions or donations, should be forwarded to the Hon. Secretaries, or to the Treasurer, 9 St. George's Circus, Southwark, S.E. Office-30 Draper Street, Walworth Road, S.E. The Committee Meetings are on Tuesdays at 10.30 A.M., REPORT. IN presenting their Twelfth Annual Report, the Committee desire to record the fact that during the year 1883-4 they have dealt with 1,041 cases, of which they have endeavoured to assist 458. In the preceding year 1,063 persons applied to them, and an attempt to help 423 was made. Exclusive of loans, and of upwards of £100* bestowed upon their cases by the Society for the Relief of Distress, the amount which the Committee procured for or gave to cases during the year was £659. 19s. 7d. In 1882-3 the corresponding amount was £450. 98. 2d. The figures show that although the number of cases has not increased, the pecuniary relief of the Committee has been greater; and a distinct advance has also been made in the amount of convalescent and medical relief which the Committee has administered. Independently of 119 cases which the Convalescent Committee of the Council of the Society have promptly dealt with on this Committee's behalf,† the Committee have obtained, a considerable number of convalescent and other medical letters. But this is not the only advance to which, amid unceasing difficulties and grave discouragement, the Committee can lay claim. They have gladly welcomed the addition to their number of one or two most serviceable members; and they have also been so fortunate as to secure the active and continuous help of a lady who gives the whole of her time to the Committee's work. By this means more personal attention is devoted to the needs of those who have asked the Committee's aid. But still, so far as the Committee is concerned, This £100 is in addition to the £68 mentioned in the Contribution List. For this service there was paid to the Convalescent Committee the £25 mentioned under the head of 'Convalescent Bed' in the statement of receipts. |