The various cases were disposed of as follows:—
| Referred to London parishes; most of whom were admitted into workhouses, or obtained relief through the interference of the Society, some being previously relieved with money, food, and clothing | 15 |
| Relieved with clothing and sent to their respective parishes | 9 |
| Provided with situations, clothing, tools, goods, or other means of effectually supporting themselves | 8 |
| New apprehended cases by the Society’s constables during 1860: a large number of whom were committed by the magistrates as vagrants; others were referred to the Society, and sent to work, the men at the mill, and stone-breaking, and the women at oakum-picking; and several were assisted with the means of returning home | 376 |
| Proved on investigation to be undeserving | 4 |
| Employed at the mill and oakum picking (not apprehended cases) | 1 |
| Placed in hospitals and assisted with clothing | 4 |
| Relieved weekly, where distress appeared temporary, and clothes, blankets, shoes, &c. given | 13 |
| Total | 430 |
The following Table exhibits a statement of the Society’s proceedings from the first year of its formation to the year 1860:—
Total number of apprehended cases in 1860:—
| Committed | 350 | |
| Discharged | 389 | |
| —— | 739 | |
| Non-registered cases during the year | 4,224 | |
| Registered cases | 430 | |
| —— | 4,654 | |
I will now give a few examples of the cases which ordinarily come under the notice of the Society.
A Deserving Case.
A. L. and her sister, the one a widow, 70, the other a single woman, 55, applied for relief under the following circumstances. They had for many years been supporting themselves by making children’s leather-covered toy balls, at one time earning a comfortable living; but their means were reduced from time to time by the introduction of India-rubber and gutta-percha, until at last five pence per dozen was all they could obtain for their labour; and it required both to apply themselves for many hours to earn that small amount; still, to avoid the workhouse, they toiled on, until the destruction of Messrs. Payne’s toy warehouse in Holborn, which threw them entirely out of work, and reduced them to absolute want. It was thus they were found in the winter having been frequently without food, fire, or candle, nearly perishing with cold, and in fear of being turned into the streets for arrears of rent. Inquiry having been instituted as to their character, which was found to be exceedingly good, they were relieved for three months with money and food weekly, besides bedding and clothing being given to them from the Society’s stores.