The Superintendent of Poor Relief and Inspector of Charitable Institutions was a position within the Colonial Secretary’s office. The Colonial Secretary’s office was responsible for a wide range of affairs in Western Australia, administered by a number of ‘sub-departments’ such as that of the Superintendent. In 1907, after the State Children Act was proclaimed, responsibility for child welfare and institutions was transferred to the new Public Charities and State Children’s Department.
During this period, there were 4 orphanages (established under the Industrial Schools Act of 1874) under the supervision of the Superintendent: Perth Girls’ Orphanage, Swan Boys’ Orphanage, St Joseph’s Catholic Orphanage for Girls and the Subiaco Boys’ Orphanage. The Superintendent’s annual reports contain information about these and other institutions for children.
According to Abbott and Chensey, the Superintendent ‘personally dealt with each case’ of relief and conducted personal inspections of the institutions (p.26).
The Superintendent’s office was sometimes referred to as the Poor Relief Department, and the position was also known as the Superintendent of Poor Houses, and the Superintendent of Poor Relief.
The Superintendent’s position was held by William Dale from January 1874 until his death aged 59 years in March 1897. James Longmore began official duties as the Superintendent of Poor Relief and Inspector of Charitable Institutions on 22 December 1897.
From
1874
To
1908
Alternative Names
Poor Relief Department
Superintendent of Poor Houses
Superintendent of Poor Relief
Superintendent of Relief and Inspector of Charitable Institutions
Superintendent of Public Charities and Inspector of Industrial and Reformatory Schools
Charitable Institutions Department