reason to fear that, unless great caution is shown, and every effort made to draw out self-help, another outlet may be given for relief which pauperises instead of raises. It sounds so safe and plausible to give a Convalescent letter, that the fact that the failure of health may be the result of want of selfrestraint, or that, with reasonable prudence the applicant could have provided for the emergency, is apt to be overlooked. At any rate it is to be hoped that the Society will not be regarded mainly as a machinery by which convalescent letters can be obtained with a minimum of trouble and expense, and persons recommending cases are urged to be careful in their selection.

During the past year the Committee have sent 29 cases to Convalescent Homes, in 14 of which applicants themselves bore the whole or part of the expense. The reports received of their treatment have been uniformly satisfactory, and much gratitude has been expressed for the benefits received.

Among the satisfactory cases assisted may be cited the following: A servant, highly respected by her master, was compelled to leave him from bad health. A letter was obtained for the Ventnor Hospital for Consumption, and she was kept there for three months at the joint expense of the Committee and a friend. Her health was re-established, and she has been able to resume the situation she had left.

A postman, married, and of good character, was obliged to resign his occupation from illness. He was sent to a Convalescent Home, whence he returned much improved. A member of the Society subsequently found him work involving less exposure, and he is doing well.

EMIGRATION.

Several cases of this class have been assisted during the past year. There is, perhaps, no form of relief which, under careful management, may do so much good at small cost, and yet none which needs closer consideration and attention to sound principles. While crushed and blighted lives may expand into fresh vigour, and new careers be opened for those who are without prospects in this country, it must be steadily borne in mind that we have no right to emigrate people merely because they are, or may be, a burden to ourselves, or out of mere restlessness and love of change think they can do better elsewhere. All experience points to the fact that emigrants, to succeed in a new country, must have energy, self-reliance, physical strength, and a definite trade, and that the shiftless, thriftless, and neer-do-weel here will have even a worse chance across the water. Emigration of children, specially while young, under proper supervision, is perhaps the only branch of this great work which can be carried on without much fear of doing harm; and moreover, the number of subjects available is not likely to become excessive. Looking, however, to the vast proportions of voluntary emigration, about a quarter of a million annually in the United Kingdom and Ireland, it may well be doubted whether it is desirable, save in exceptional cases, unduly to stimulate a movement which, by the action of natural causes, has attained such vast proportions, such remarkable results.

In one case brought under the Society's notice during the past year, a widow, of more than average ability and energy, with four children, and in the direst poverty, has been emigrated to Canada as servant to a lady proceeding thither. Three of her children have been sent out through Miss Rye's agency, funds for two having been provided by the action of a member of the Committee, while the mother is to remit for the cost of the maintenance

of the youngest till she can send for her. This may be mentioned as a typical case of the indirect influences brought to bear through the action of the Society. The actual amount of money spent by the Committee was trifling, but the case was under constant attention for months; friends were looked up, one effort after another made to find a solution of the difficulties to be overcome, and it was only by dint of perseverance and much expenditure of time and trouble that success was obtained.

The Committee have learnt with satisfaction that the Local Government

Board is satisfied with the provision made for inspection by the Canadian Government of pauper children emigrated, and trust that this agency may be much more largely made use of in the future, experience having proved that the results have been most satisfactory.

POOR LAW ADMINISTRATION.

The happy relations which have so long subsisted between the Guardians of the Union and this Committee of the Society have been further strengthened during the period under review. In more than one case the Committee have been able to supply information which the relieving officers have been unable to obtain, while the assistance received from the peculiar sources of information open to the latter, and their extensive experience, has been of the greatest value. The Committee feel increasingly that unless Poor Law relief is administered on sound principles, it is hopeless to attempt to stem the tide of pauperism; while, where State aid is given wisely, private charity has its province more clearly marked out, and can deal efficiently with individual cases of distress. An active effort was made in the parish of Wandsworth at the last election to return Guardians imbued with sound principles of Poor Law relief, and was happily successful. With a view to this object being carried out permanently and on a wider scale, a Local Government Association has been formed to select and endeavour to return good candidates as Vestrymen, Guardians, and members of the Board of Works, &c., throughout this Poor Law union. NEW AGENCIES.

Among the useful agencies which have come into being during the past twelve months may be noted the South-West London District Nursing Association— in connection with the Parent Society at Bloomsbury-for providing highlytrained medical nurses for the sick poor. Their Home is at Marmion Road, Battersea Rise; it is intended to cover the whole union, but at present is confined to the parishes of Battersea, Wandsworth, and Putrey. The nurses attend without payment; application may be made by any person needing their services to the Lady Superintendent at the above address.

WORKERS.

Once more an appeal must be made to any willing to help to come forward and take a share in the Society's work. It is at times with difficulty that & quorum is obtained for transacting ordinary business, and attention is necessarily confined to case work, which in itself is not carried out so thoroughly as should be owing to lack of that individual attention and watching, without which the best results cannot be obtained.

Voluntary effort has to a great extent failed to cope with the difficulties which have to be overcome in bringing about closer co-operation between those engaged iu charitable enterprise; it may be that the solution is to be found in the greater use of paid agency. This has been tried with success in other districts of London, and has been found a potent means of eliciting volunteer help. Indeed, it would appear that, in a Society embracing such a wide field of action, and consequently necessitating the constant attention of at least one active mind at each centre, it must rather be the exception than the rule if any one can be found able, willing, and possessing the necessary qualifications, to carry out efficiently the duties of Organising Secretary without remuneration. Large as is the amount of unpaid work given freely and willingly to efforts for the welfare of mankind, it is almost invariably found necessary to have a nucleus of paid labour to fall back upon. It is not to be supposed that the Charity Organisation Society can succeed on other lines than similar undertakings; and if it is to be the practical working power those who know its objects best wish to see, it seems inevitable that it should seek its instruments among trained and skilled workers, and these, as a rule, must be remunerated. This will necessitate more money, if generally adopted, much more; but the first point is to obtain efficient working, and then an appeal may with confidence be made for means to maintain it. The Committee would once more commend their work to the continued and increased support of their neighbours.

BATTERSEA COMMITTEE.

Chairman:

THE VICAR OF BATTERSEA.

(Chairman of Board of Guardians.)

Ministers of all denominations are ex-officio Members, those mentioned being

OWING to the mild winter and fine weather generally of the past year, the Committee have little to report beyond the steady maintenance of their work. This alone is a matter of no small difficulty; as, year by year, the poor of the district increase, while many who have been subscribers to the funds leave, and their houses are pulled down to make room for smaller residences, or occupied by strangers who have no sympathy with the affairs of the neighbourhood.

The effectual dealing with convalescent cases has been an important feature in the year's work. This has been accomplished, in most cases, by paying the amount of money required for their maintenance in certain Homes where arrangements are made with the Charity Organisation Society to reserve beds for their cases at a fixed sum, and without the necessity of producing subscribers' letters. In this way much delay is saved, and it is often possible to send the patient to a Home which is most suitable to their case, instead of having to take the one for which a letter can be obtained. The money required for maintenance and railway fares for such cases has been a heavy charge on the funds of the Committee; and it is only by availing themselves of every available source from which assistance could be obtained that they are able to meet the needs of all who have been found suitable and deserving. The Committee will be most grateful for any assistance for this branch of their work, either in letters for Homes, or money for the special object. The work is certain to increase, and it will therefore be necessary, in some way, to increase the means of dealing with it.

There is a decrease in the amount of money lent to cases during the past year. This has been caused by the very unsuitable nature of many of the cases who applied for assistance in that shape. Either they have been found to be suitable only for a loan office, or so poor that it was evident that to do them any permanent good the money must be given—and, in several applications received by the Committeee, this was done.

The Penny Bank continues to be of the greatest service to the poor, by giving them the means of practising thrift. Its working expenses are borne by the Committee, but some return is obtained by the sale of depositors' books, and by interest on a small sum placed on deposit. Voluntary help in the Bank on Saturday or Monday Evenings, from seven to eight, will always be greatly appreciated.

The Committee are glad to know that the Provident Dispensary carried on in the same building is a most flourishing institution. It would be well if all who are interested in the working classes would encourage them to join the Dispensary, and thus provide against ill health, instead of begging for hospital letters. In the administration of the Poor Laws it is an axiom that the 'medical order' is often the first step in pauperism; so begging for hospital letters is often the first surrender of self-respect and independence, and leads on to habitual mendicancy in other respects.

In conclusion, the Committee would point out once more that, although much is done, there is a great deal of charitable work to be done in Battersea, with its thousands of poor. With the same expenses for office, &c., the Committee could assist many more, and there would be no difficulty in getting the applications, provided only the money were forthcoming for their wise assistance. It is a matter of congratulation that none have been actually refused assistance for want of means in the hands of the Committee; but it is impossible to extend the work of the Society with the present small funds of the Committee to cope with the cases that arise in so large a district.

ILLUSTRATIVE CASES.

REFUSED AS NOT REQUIRING RELIEF.

4744. Application was made by a carman, in full work, for temporary assistance, saying his wife was not well, and required nourishment. It was found on enquiry that he was in receipt of good wages- -more than he stated -and those who knew him said he had no right to apply for charity, and that his wife would have plenty of nourishment if he spent less on his own indulgences. Decision as above.

REFUSED - UNDESERVING.

4484. A man, describing himself as a coppersmith, applied to Magistrate at Police Court for assistance, to buy necessaries for the work of a travelling

tinker, and was referred to the Charity Organisation Society. It was ascertained, by investigation, that his wife and family had left him, owing to his bad conduct and drunken habits, and that he was thoroughly lazy.

REFUSED INELIGIBLE.

4884. An old man, who had been bedridden for some time, made an application to the Committee to provide him with a pension. His character was in every way good; but it was evidently impossible for the Committee to obtain what he asked for, and a report showed that he would be far better off in the Infirmary. The application was therefore dismissed as above.

ASSISTED-REFERRED TO INSTITUTION.

4592. Widow applied as follows:- My husband died five years ago, during which time I have maintained myself and children by going out as monthly nurse. The last case I attended died of infectious fever, and I am ordered by doctor not to take another for at least two months.' This was found to be perfectly true. Her character was excellent, and the case having been sent by the Society for Relief of Distress, with an intimation that if statement was found to be true they would be glad to find relief, it was referred to that institution, who gave ample temporary relief through the Committee.

ASSISTED BY LOAN.

4416. A single woman, dressmaker, asked for a loan of £1, to complete sum required for purchase of sewing machine. She had been unable to work for nearly a year from ill health, but was now better, and had work to do if she had a machine. This was found to be true, and a good report obtained of her character and industry. The amount was lent, and has been repaid regularly as required, 1s per week.

ASSISTED.

4578. A widow with a family applied for assistance to join her friends in New Zealand. She brought a note from a lady who sent her, stating that she and her sister were prepared to give £20 of the amount required, which, they had ascertained, would be £33 for the family, and asked the Committee to undertake to raise the remainder. Finding the family to be very respectable, and that they would certainly become chargeable to the parish, the Committee undertook to do this, and the £20 was forwarded. But it was then found that £33 was the price for a Government-assisted passage, and that these were blocked by the number of applicants for them, the full price being £55. It was, however, obvious that, having received part of the money, the Committee were bound to complete the undertaking. Application was made to almost every source from which assistance could be expected, and finally, by this means and a grant from the Central Office, the fund was completed. various amounts will be found amongst the Donations to Special Cases. It is evident that only a very limited number of such cases could be undertaken by the Committee, and only those where the applicant can produce a large portion of the sum required, as in the above instance.

The