This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 Excerpt: ...to pay in other directions. It is very difficult to give exact figures as to the amount which the Board-school system costs the estate, but the recent establishment of a new Board school synchronising with a revaluation of rent enables me to give an account. The school building will cost me 2,8001., and as a set-off to the school rate, 561. Os. 6d. has been taken off the farm rents. It may be added that since 1870 the rule never departed from is to decline all assistance to voluntary schools. Finally, it may be pointed out that while the net income for forty years averages 7,500Z. per annum, the average annual outlay on charity amounts to 7,248Z. These charities may perhaps be advantageous to the State by preventing rural depopulation, to the tenantry by attaching the labourer to the land, and to the labouring classes by giving them an honourable refuge in their old age. Further, they may, it is hoped, add to the sum of human happiness. But they can neither be defended on commercial principles, nor are they likely to be repeated under any future and alternative system of land tenure that may be adopted. A similar return for Thorney is given on page 109 for the period 1870-95. No detailed analysis of these figures is required, as the system is identical with that followed on the Beds and Bucks Estates. This will be seen by comparing income and charitable outlay during the years of deficit. Some details regarding the provision for the old age of persons employed on the two estates may be given here. The list is not comprehensive, but typical pensions are quoted. ESTATE PENSIONS (1) Beds And Bucks Estates Estate pensions range from 2s. per week (51. 4s. Od. per annum) to labourers" widows, to 2661. per annum to a former chief clerk, and those now subsisting ma...