260
7. The Committee consider it essential that, after the first two days' residence by any destitute in the Shelter, it shall be within the discretion of the Superintendent of the Gaol to require him to perform a reasonable amount of moderate labour, as the condition of his obtaining further relief, time and opportunity being afforded him each day to look for employment. It would be understood also that habitual frequenters of the Shelter who shew no desire to get their living, or to leave the Colony, who will not work, or who are disorderly, should be charged before the Magistrates as rogues and vagabonds.
"8. Lists of the men inhabiting the Shelter should be forwarded to the Shipping Office weekly.
9. It may be found necessary to keep a Register of the inmates of the Shelter, with dates of admission and discharge, &c. These details, however, will be best arranged as the scheme gradually grows into shape. The Visiting Justices of the Gaol would of course inspect the arrangements, and doubtless all necessary informa- tion as to the character and conduct of the men relieved would be given to persons with any reasonable ground for asking it.
10. The Committee consider that the arrangements suggested above will put it in the power of any charitable person at once to provide any destitute, at a merely nominal expense, with the necessaries of life. The class of professional idlers will doubtless very much prefer the old system of indiscriminate pecuniary relief. Charitable persons must therefore expect to be told frightful stories of the hardships endured in the Government Shelter. That it is in the Gaol, that the men are locked in, that they have to do the work that convicts do-all this will be urged in the hope of extorting the accustomed dollar to be spent in drink. If well-meaning but mistaken persons listen to these stories, and persist in throwing money away on men whose only desire is to be idle, the plan will be a failure; if not, it may be a success.
11. Until, however, the enquires which the Committee understand are being made at other ports are complete, and Legislative measures based on their results can be adopted, the suggestions of this Report can be regarded as tentative only.
The Committee have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servants,
The Honourable W. H. MARSH, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary.
A. LISTER,
Treasurer.
W. M. DEANE,
Captain Supt. of Police.
R. MURRAY RUMSEY,
Ret. Com., R.N.,
Acting Harbour Master.
A. FALCONER,
Acting Supt., Victoria Gaol.
ALFRED G. WISE,
Acting Registrar.
N. J. EDE.
D. R. CRAWFORD,