Central Committee for Boarding Out Destitute Children (1881 - 1896)

More Information [close]

The Public Charities Act 1873 provided for a committee to run the boarding out system. Even so, initially, William Tarleton, the Administrator of Charitable Grants, managed it. However, since his Department was unable to inspect the homes regularly, he arranged for the Hobart Benevolent Society to take over in 1880. That apparently did not work because, in 1881, the Central Committee for Boarding Out Destitute Children replaced it.

In southern Tasmania, Hobart and New Town were divided into three districts each with a voluntary visiting committee of two women and one man to inspect the children's homes. Launceston had a similar arrangement. At some stage, the men stopped carrying out inspections. The committees visited children every month to check for abuse or negligence, advise foster mothers on care, and check that the bedding was clean and warm. They also bought clothing for newly boarded out children. In Hobart, an inquiring officer also inspected children's homes.

The Central Committee was abolished in 1898, shortly after the establishment of the Neglected Children's Department. However, its Ladies Committees continued their work until 1911 in Hobart and 1912 in Launceston.