by Dr Seddon, a revival of the old Roman idea of "infamia."
Further, no one can get a pension who during the past twenty-five years has been imprisoned for a term of five years with or without hard labour for any offence "dishonouring him in the public estimation"; or (if a husband) has for a period of six months deserted his wife; or without just cause neglected to provide her with adequate means of maintenance; or neglected to maintain such of his children as were under fourteen years of age. If the applicant is a woman and a wife, she cannot succeed in her application if she has deserted her husband, or those of her children under fourteen years of age.
Applicants must also be of good moral character, and have been leading a sober and reputable life for the past five years; while their net yearly income must be less than £52, and the net capital value of their accumulated property must be not more than £270. Anyone directly or indirectly depriving himself of property or income with the object of entitling him to a pension will by that act be debarred from obtaining one.
Anyone desirous of obtaining a pension is required to fill in a pension claim, the truth of the contents of which he must affirm by statutory declaration. This claim will be forwarded to the deputy-registrar, and will eventually be investigated by the stipendiary magistrate. If necessary the claimant is required to attend to support his claim; but if the magistrate is satisfied that the documentary evidence in support of the claim is sufficient to establish it, or that the applicant's physical condition renders it inconvenient for him to attend, the applicant's personal attendance may be dispensed with.
Evidence given before the magistrate for or against the claim is on oath, and corroboration of the evidence of the
