Extract from Report of Captain Kennedy - April 16, 1848
"THE pressure and number of applicants for relief is still very
great. There were fully 200 applicants, the greater portion of whom were very miserable
and destitute. There were but 30 vacancies in the house, and the Vice-Guardians were of
course obliged to give out-door relief.
"In the week ending 8th April, the number of ‘cases’ receiving
out-door relief numbered 4,594, making a total of 14,292 souls, at a cost of 296l. 7s.
11d. for the week.
"There has been considerable increase in the week ending the 15th instant.
I do not anticipate the numbers will stop short of 18,000 before August. This will be
understood from what I have hitherto stated of the utter absence of employment and the
large number evicted and houseless.
"Disease, I regret to say, keeps pace with destitution; overcrowded cabin; the result
of the numerous evictions, generates disease rapidly. I am unceasingly occupied in
relieving and endeavouring to remedy this evil."
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