Evidence Type: Newspaper Report
15 May 1847
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Mr. COWPER…rose to move, That an Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor, enclosing, for the information of His Excellency, the Report of the Select Committee appointed on the 26th May, and re-appointed on the 10th September, 1846, “to enquire into the management and condition of the Lunatic Asylum, Tarban Creek, with instructions to take evidence, and report whether the system therein adopted requires suitable or sufficient for the proper treatment and classification of the inmates;” and requesting that His Excellency will be pleased to carry into effect the recommendation of the Committee, as speedily as circumstances will permit. The hon. member, in support of his motion, referred to the main points embraced in the recommendation of the Committee—viz., that a medical man should be placed at the head of the establishment; that more assistants should be appointed, and a selection made from a class superior to that at present employed; that a paid board of visitors should be appointed; that the building should be enlarged, &c.
The motion was seconded by Mr. ALLEN.
The Colonial Secretary did not rise to oppose the motion, but he expressly stated that he would not pledge himself to support the recommendations of the committee. He was of opinion that paid visitors to the Asylum should be appointed, in order to effect the desired object.
Mr. PARKER said a few words in favour of a general reform in the establishment.
Mr. WINDEYER was of opinion that the Factory at Parramatta, or the Hyde Park Barracks, would answer the purpose of a Lunatic Asylum; therefore, the Council should be cautious how they expended so much money as was stated in the Report would be necessary; especially as labour was now so high. He had no doubt that a reform was necessary, and that a superintendent might be appointed at a salary as proposed by the Committee, but he objected to paying salaries for the discharge of the common duties of humanity, as had been suggested by the Colonial Secretary.
The Attorney-General agreed with what had fallen from the hon. and learned Member for Durham, as to the inexpediency of expending money in the erection of any additional buildings, while there were so many already in existence that might be appropriated to the purpose….
See Original: “LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,” The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 – 1848), Saturday 15 May 1847, p.4
The Female Factory Online 