GREET

GREET occasional grants. By 4th Anne, cap. 12, the queen was authorized to appropriate to its use L.6472, the proceeds of the goods of Kidd the notorious pirate. By 8th Geo. II., the forfeited estates of the Earl of Derwentwater, attained of high treason (estimated to produce L.6000 a-year), were devoted to its completion and support; and by statutes of the same reign, six sums of L.10,000 were devoted to the same objects. Shares of prize money, of penalties in certain cases, percentage upon bounty money, upon freightage of treasure, and forfeited seamen's pay, were also assigned to the support of the hospital.

Within the last five years great changes have been made in the management of the hospital and its revenues. In 1825, by statute 5th Geo. IV., cap. 26, the Royal Naval Asylum (a school for the education of 800 boys, the children of seamen of the royal and the merchant navy) was consolidated in its government and funds with the hospital. In 1829 the corporation was dissolved by statute 10th Geo. IV., cap. 25, and the estates were vested in the treasurer of the navy, the first commissioner of woods, and three other persons named in the statute, whose appointments were during pleasure, and to whom the crown is empowered to appoint successors, while the lords of the admiralty assign their salaries. In 1834 the contribution out of seamen's wages was abolished, and in lieu thereof a sum of L.20,000 annually towards the support of the hospital was charged upon the consolidated fund.

The management of the civil affairs of the hospital is now vested in the five commissioners appointed under the above statute. Subject to the control and direction of the lords of the admiralty, they have power to make all contracts for the supply of the establishment, to execute all agreements, mortgages, and bonds relating to the corporate property, to grant leases, and to purchase, sell, and convey land. The governor of the hospital is charged with the maintenance of discipline and good order. The civil department consists of the five commissioners who are appointed by the crown on the nomination of the prime minister,—the two ex-officio commissioners receiving no salary, the other three L.600 a-year each—a secretary, clerks, and other officers. The military department consists of the governor, salary L.1500 a-year, lieutenant-governor, salary L.800 a-year, appointed in the same manner as the commissioners, four captains, four commanders, eight lieutenants, two masters, chaplains, surgeons, and other officers. With the above exceptions, all the appointments, civil and military, and the presentation to livings belonging to the hospital property, are in the gift of the first lord of the admiralty. The number of pensioners maintained in 1849 was 2710.

The revenue of the hospital in 1849 (for which year the latest accounts are printed) was—

And the expenditure for the same year was—

It is stated that under the arrangements made pursuant to the acts of 1829 and 1834, the hospital surrendered L.42,000 a-year of its revenues.—(Ho. Comm. Return, 1850. No. 495.) (s. n.)