The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-11-01 00:00:00

THE COUNTY REFUGE FOR THE DESTITUTE

The Town Clerk has considered the report of this institu-
tion for the year 1839, and also the memorial of the Rev. C.
W. Lawrence, of which the following is a copy .
" To the Worshipful the May or and the Town Council of
Liverpool.
" Gentlemen,—As the chairman of a meeting of the com-
mittee of the Lancashire County Refuge for the Destitute,
held on the 11th September instant, I am directed respect-
fully to submit for your consideration the claims of the cha-
rity to your patronage and support.
The institution was opened in the year 1823, under the
auspices of many of the town and county magistrates and
other influential individuals, for the reception and reforma-
tion of females liberated from the several gaols and houses
of correction belonging to this county, suitable premises for
the purpose having been purchased in Roscoe-street, in this
town, where the operations of the Refuge have since been
conducted.

" Since that time upwards of three hundred and twenty
females have been admitted into the house, of whom the
committee have every reason to believe at least ninety have
been decidedly reformed and restored to their relatives or
friends, put to service, or otherwise assisted to procure an
honest subsistence. These have been received from the
Kirkdale House of Correction, the Borough Gaol, the pri-
soners at Lancaster Castle, Preston, and Salford, and some
recently from the Police-office in this town ; the proportion
from the former two prisons having, for some time past,
amounted to nearly one-half of the whole number admitted.
The average number of women in the house at any one time
amounts to from twenty-four to twenty-eight.
" The Refuge is under the care of a committee of gentle-
men ; and the management of the women is committed to a
competent matron, subject to a committee of ladies who
visit the institution daily, under the gratuitous superintend-
ence of a chaplain. The women are carefully instructed in
domestic servants' work, and taught to read, sew, and knit,
so as to qualify them for reoccupying a creditable position in
society.
_ _

" For further details, and the rules for the management of
the house, the committee beg to refer to the accompanying
report of the institution.
In consequence of a recent considerable increase in the
admissions, especially from the Borough Gaol, the income of
the institution, which was hardly at any time sufficient for its
support, has become deficient to meet its expenditure by
nearly £lOO per annum.
" The committee, therefore, on behalf of the charity, take
the liberty respectfully to solicit the favour of your kind con-
sideration of its claims, and of such pecuniary assistance as
you may think it fit to contribute to its funds.
" I am, Gentlemen,
" Respectfully,
" Your obedient servant,
" C. W. LAWRENCE, Chairman, pro tem.,
Chaplain of St. Luke's Church.
" Liverpool, September, 1839."
The TOWN-CLERK submitted his opinion that the Council
were authorised in their discretion annually to apply a sum
out of the surplus income, for the promotion of the institu-
tion.