ABSTRACT
In the nineteenth century, poor relief was administered on a local "parish" basis, just as it was under the English Poor Law. With the growing numbers of paupers and the obvious limitations of the parish system, centralisation became necessary, and the Protector of Immigrants added poor relief to his other responsibilities. * The Poor Law Ordinance of 1902, however, created a separate Poor Law Department with the Labour Commissioner at its head. His duties were to:
"(i) direct and control the administration of relief to the poor; (ii) establish, with the approval of the Governor, almshouses,
workhouses, infirmaries and other asylums for the poor, and direct the management of such institutions;
(iii) receive and disburse, according to the rules herein prescribed, the amount voted annually by the Council of Government."
