The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-05-19 00:00:00

MEETING OF THE DISTRICT PROVIDENT

SOCIETY.

Mr. PAYNE moved the next resolution. Mr. Payne
pointed out the great and anxious labours of the committee,
and the slight encouragement they had received from the
town at large. Considering that the society was one which
afforded relief without the consideration of creed or opinion,
it was lamentable to see the slight support which it reeeived
from persons of all denominations. The speaker next ad-
verted to the great usefulness of the society, and the excel-
lent effect that accrues from persons of higher grade mingling
with the poor, aiding them by counsel, and sympathising
with them in their distresses. When they heard that the
annual subscriptions did not avail for the working of the so-
ciety, it was plain that, if a change for the better did not
take place, the society must go down. Mr. Payne concluded
by, pointing out the evil of premiums, the withdrawal of
which be considered a proper measure.
Mr. JAMES HEY WORTH, after expressing his gratification
at seeing the Mayor presiding, in a position which he consi-
dered more dignified than that conferred by his (the Mayor's)
fellow-townsmen, inasmuch as the cause of religion and cha-
rity was more dignified than civic honour, expressed his plea-
sure at seconding the resolution. His pleasure, however,
was mingled with regret, because the apathy which had
pervaded the community must have thrown a chill over the
gentlemen who had been so indefatigably employed in their
endeavours to do good. He was struck with regret that a
society so excellent should have so fallen into decline. He
hoped a different feeling would soon pervade the town in
regard to that valuable institution. He knew from experience
that the society was not less excellent as a detector of impo-
sition than as an administrator of charity, nor was the former
less valuable than the latter. He had frequently asked par-
ties who were seeking relief to bring him a certificate from
some medical man or some other person to whom they were
known, that he might be convinced that the alleged distress
was not feigned. In numerous instances no such certificates
were brought, and he came to the conclusion, thereupon,
that no such distress had existed. Mr. Heyworth proceeded
to show that no such distinction was made where distress
was found to exist ; that a large proportion of those who re-
ceived relief from this society are Irish ; and, having urged
that it was more blessed to give than to receive, lie pointed
to the example of Christ, and expressed a hope that all
would try to tread in his steps.
The Rev. Rector CAMPBELL, in moving the next resolution
spoke in the highest terms of the visitors, and expressed an
earnest desire to see their numbers increased. Without ac-
tive, zealous, discreet visitors they could do nothing, while
with a sufficient number of them, if backed by the town, the
miseries of poverty might be greatly alleviated. He could
not but lament, that the visitors should be so few, seeing that
they ought to have, at least, five times the number, but he
hoped this miserable deficiency would be remedied. The work
was a labour of love in all, which all should be anxious to
participate. To those who were engaged in it, it must be
highly satisfactory, for they were doing that which Christ had
done before them,—going about doing good. The reverend
rector coucluded by some well merited praises on the efforts
and services of the ladies.
The Rev. R. L. TOWNSMEND seconded the motion, which
was adopted.
The Rev. Rector CAMPBELL said, the unfortunate absence
of the wealthy merchants of our town, who would have done
well, like Mr. Heyworth, to have been present, rendered it
necessary that he should move the next resolution. The rev.
rector said, if the resolution had recommended sermons and
collections in the church he could not have supported it, as
there were so many calls for peculiarly religious services, and
for the charities connected with religious purposes. He thought
they were not called upon to make collections for such chari-
ties as this, and that they ought not to require it. It was most
deplorable and astonishing to contemplate the slackness on
the part of the wealthy people of this town to support this
society, which would, if properly supplied with funds, go
further to the banishment of pauperism and the moral re-
generation of the town than any other means that could be
devised. It was, he repeated, surprising that a society like
this should be so miserably in want of support—that in such
a population as that of Liverpool they should not be able to
get £l,OOO in the year for an institution capable of doing such
a vast amount of good. No arguments were necessary to
prove its utility. Ile could not imagine that people would
not come forward most gladly, and confide to this society
that which they give away in indiscriminate charity. There
were multitudes of cases in which individuals appeared dis-
tressed who were really impostors. The officers of the so-
ciety were experienced in such matters—they were well ac-
quainted with the frauds of poverty, and the attempts of
parties who were idle and indisposed to work ; and they could
discover such frauds when others, who were unpracticed,
could not. The rev. rector concluded by expressing a hope
that subscriptions would come in, not only from the wealthy,
who could subscribe one or five guineas, but from the
classes who could only afford to contribute as much as ha

a-crown.
The Rev. Mr. BOLD seconded the resolution, which was
carried.
Mr. RICHARD RATHBONE moved the next resolution,
and read an address, of which the following is the principal
portion :—This meeting has been called for a very important
object, no less than to decide whether this society, the Dis-
trict Provident Society of Liverpool, shall continue its bene-
ficent operations, or whether it shall be extinguished, by
want of support, and cease to exist. lam well aware that
this alternative may not, at first sight, appear evident to
those who are only acquainted with the working of the so-
ciety from its annual reports or its annual meetings. They
will probably allege—and they would do so very correctly—
that the principal value and chief duty of this society consist
in the collection of small deposits, and of the promotion
thereby of economical habits among the poor. But that the
society cannot perform this duty, nor be of this value, with-
out visiters, will at once be admitted ; and then we immedi-
ately arrive at the difficulties which we are this day specially
convened to meet, to discuss, and to endeavour, if possible,
to remove. The first great difficulty is the fact—so disgrace-
ful to the town of Liverpool !—that, in a population of
250,000 persons, there have not yet been found 1,000 indivi-
duals to meet the requirements of this society as visiters.
The town was, in the first instance, divided into about 25
districts, which were again subdivided into about 1,000 com-
partments, intended each to contain about 25 families. Let
me mention, en passant, that when such a subdivision has
been organised, and the depositors are expecting their visiter
on an appointed day, at an appointed hour, (the importance
of the regular attention to which cannot be overrated,)
Monday morning, always the best in towns; half to three-
quarters of an hour will, in general, he sufficient for the pur-
pose. As the town has increased in size, the subdivisions
have, of course, also increased in number, and they now
amount to nearly 1,300 sub-divisions, of which about 580
are provided with visiters, the remaining 700 sub-divisions
having none, and being therefore wholly neglected. And to
perform the whole of this duty there can only be found, in
the 250,000 inhabitants of Liverpool, after the experience of
14 years has demonstrated the exceeding value of the work,
and the undeniable success of its working, 315 persons ! In
strong contrast to this, I will now, sir, take the liberty of
reading a few extracts, giving some account of a society esta-
blished in Paris, with objects in many respects similar to our
own, and which will, 1 think, confirm the old adage, that
where there is a will there is a way, or, in other words, that
where the spirit is its manifestations will noltribnecewnatndteinpg
.11 u art.
Rathbone here read some abstracts, giving an account of the
originparis. and I progresswionly
soafy,the
le
cu Society
SL
and do likewise " in
all
"go "
our own country." The next great difficulty, sir, to, that
of procuring a sufficient number of visiters, is that of pro-
curing a sufficient amount of funds to enable the society to
carry out its objects. Look, then, I beg of you, for a mo-
ment, at the probable consequences of the visiters, " the
noble few," being deprived of the power of giving orders for
relief in any case, to the persons whom they visit ! Of the
315 visiters now upon our books, 232 are women. We have
frequently appealed, and in vain, to the community ; let me
now appeal, distinctly, to the feelings of the men of Liver-
pool, and ask how they can expect these excellent sisters of
charity to dive (in the course of their unwearied applications
for deposits) into the most wretched of Liverpool's cellars
for the poor, to see cases of distress of which those who live
delicately in king's houses know absolutely nothing, without
the means of giving even to the worst of such cases the
smallest assistance ? Is it not enough that they give so much
of their time, their patience, their counsel, their sympathy
in every week, and in all seasons of the year—that they are
and disgusting to their feelings---that they see, in every weekly
eeposed to so much that may be clangorous to their health,
iparo ur 'mot diPIaPPI gitiffOriPfc, getnal destitution
OOM 41itef fiICP6I4O VrikOM OP, f)4 19 OP IMPTIY

The annual general meeting of the above society was held
on Tuesday afternoon, at one o'clock, in the Savings Batik,
80ld-street. The meeting was but thinly attended, and the
majority of those present were, as usual, ladies.
Amongst the gentlemen present were the Mayor, the Rev.
Rector Campbell, R. L. Carr, Esq., Mr. Henry Heathcote,
Statham, Mr. Payne, Mr. James Ileyworth, Mr. T. Rath-
bone, Mr. R. Rathhone, Dr. Iliff, the Rev. J. H. Stafford,
the Rev. J. B. Monk, Rev. Thos. Bold, Rev. R. L. Towns-
hend, Rev. R. Appleton, Rev. W. Hesketh, and the Rev.
John Robberds.
On the motion of the Rev. Rector CAMPBELL,
The MAYOR took the chair. His worship expressed his
regret at the sinking state of the society, the merits of which
he highly eulogised, and hoped sufficient funds would accrue
to place it in a state to act with the efficiency that is so de-
sirable.
Mr. CARR, the secretary, read the report. The report set
out by stating, that the committee had lost no time in con-
sidering the recommendation " to carry into more active
operation that portion of the past rule which relates to the
suppression of mendicity and imposture, by inducinc, the in-
habitants of the town to the consistant practice of giving
the society's tickets instead of money to all street beggars."
As an inducement to the public to make use of the society's
tickets they were offered for sale at the society's office, one
class at one shilling a ticket, and a second class at one penny
each. The committee anticipated from this a more general
circulation, and an augmentation of funds, but were disap-
pointed, for they only sold 136 shilling tickets and 3,072
penny tickets, almost the whole of the latter having been
taken by subscribers in virtue of their subscriptions, so that
£2l 18s. was all that had come to the treasurer's hands from
this source. It was recommended, therefore, that the lowest
priced tickets be three-pence each. The premiums have been
discontinued. Some improvements have, it appeared, been
made in the mode of administering relief whereby more dis-
crimination is insured, and imposture is more easily detected.
The accounts of the funds were less favourable than hereto.
fore. In May, 1842, the treasurer had a balance in hand of
£25 95., at present there is due to him a sum of £324 Is.
The annual subscriptions have decreased from £1,030105. to
£1,004 10s., and the donations from £1,341 14s. to £553
15s. 2d. The calls upon the town have not, however, been
of so prominent a character as during the year preceding.
The number of applications for relief entertained by the
board has been 19,426, of whom 500 were refused as unde-
serving, or as not being objects of the society's care. The
number actually relieved was 18,926, at a cost of £1,056 3s.
10-id. In 1840-1 the number was 14,506, at a charge of
£1,230 Is. 2d. The committee again expressed their ac-
knowledgements to the managers of the soup establishments
for their liberal donation of soup tickets to the amount of
£lOO, and also for the remission of a debt of £49. The
committe reported a trifling increase of visiters, the number
being 315 ; but as there are upwards of 1,200 districts which
require visiting, this number is very inadequate. A con-
siderable falling off was reportedln the amount of deposits
and the number of depositors. This is partly attributable to
the suppression of the premium, and partly to the effect of
the severe winter of 1842, and the continued depression of
trade. There has been paid out of the deposit fund during
the past year £11,471 Ss. 2id., and the balance in the hands
of the treasurer on this account is £1,907 17s. 9d. The com-
mittee lamented the very inadequate means of relief at their
disposal. The committee suggested that efforts be made by
the clergy in conformity with the mode expressed in one of
the resolutions.
Dr. ILIFF moved the first resolution. In moving the
approval of the report, he wished it might be approved
a little more extensively than merely by those present.
Dr. Iliff proceeded to point out the great advantages of the
society to those whose occupations prevented them from
making inquiries into the cases of distress which came under
their observation. He had known many instances where in-
dividuals whom he had encountered were promptly attended
to, but which would, but for this society, have been either
cases of protracted distress or of imposition.
Mr. BOUTFLOWER seconded the resolution, and said, he
could fully bear out the testimony of Dr. Iliff. He had
been a frequent trespasser on the visiters of the society, and
should be most ungrateful if he did not acknowledge his
obligations to them. He hoped the finances of the society
would soon be in an improving condition.
The resolution was put and carried unanimously.
The Rev. THOMAS ROBBERDS proposed the next resolu-
tion, which was seconded by Mr. CHARLES STUBBS, and
carried.