Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/423

Rh Methodist, and a college for women (unsectarian), affiliated to the University. The Technical College, with branch schools, comprises depart- ments in agriculture, architecture, biology, chemistry, domestic science, electrical engineering, geology, mathematics, mechanical engineering, printing and lithography, sanitation, sheep and wool, women's handicrafts, art, commercial subjects, bakery ; also separate classes and corres[>ondence courses. There was a total enrolment of 14,580 in 1919.

Of establishments of an educational character there are the Australian Museum, Technological Museums and National Art Gallery, Public Libraries, Conservatorium of Music, also Botanical Gardens and Zoological Gardens.

Old Age, Invalidity and Accident Pensions, and Maternity Allowances.

In Australia the old age pension law grants (subject to conditions as to birth, residence, and character) a pension of 12s. 6d. per week to every woman over 60 years of age, and every man over 65 years of age, or over 60 if incapacitated by infirmity or injury from earning a living. The maxi- mum pension of 321. 10s. per annum (I2r. 6YZ. per week) is subject to a pro- jortionate reduction in respect of any income or property of the claimant, so that the p-nsioncr's income with the pension shall not exceed 58i. 10s. per annum. Benefits from friendly societies are not reckoned as income, nor any gifts and allowances from children or grandchildren ; nor is deduction made for the home in which the pensioner permanently resides. Money payable to a pensioner while an inmate of a benevolent asylum or hi may be paid to the institution for the pensioner. Since July 1, 1909, old age pensions have been paid throughout the Commonwealth by the Federal Government, and on June 30, 1920, 37,358 (15,515 men and 21,843 women) old age pensions were current in New South Wales. "

Invalidity and Accident Pensions are paid to persons over the age of 16 years who are permanently incapacitated and who are not receiving an old age pension. From Dec. 15, 1910, the payment of these pensions was undertaken by the Federal Government, and 14,337 persons (6,583 men and women) in New South Wales) were in receipt ol the benefits on June 30, 1920.

War pensioners iu New South Wales at June 30, 1920, numbered 69,631.

Under the Maternity Allowance Act, passed by the Commonwealth Parliament in 1912, payment of maternity allowances is made to mothers of children born in Australia. A sum of 5/. is payable in respect of each birth, one allowance only being payable iu cases of plural births. The allowance is payable to women who an- inhabitants of the Commonwealth, or who intend to settle therein. The total number of claims paid iu New South Wales during the year ended June 20, 1920, was 4S.909.

Jnstice and Crime.

There are a Supreme Court with a Chief Justice and six puisne judges, an Industrial Arbitration Court, District Courts, Courts of Quarter Sessions, and Children's Courts. All persons arrested and charged with offences and all summoned persons must be brought before the Magistrates' Courts, and are dealt with summarily or committed to trial at the higher courts. Most summary offences are punishable by tine or by imprisonment, not exceeding seven days. Prisoners charged with offences bearing sentences of more than six months' imprisonment are tried by a jury of twelve persons, either at Quarter sessions or before the Supreme Court. Prisoners charged with capital crimes must be tried before the Supreme Court. Rh