PAUPER COLONIES are establishments at Frederiksoord and Veenhuizen in the Netherlands, province of Drenthe, and at Willemsoord and Ommerschans in Overyssel. They were erected by a benevolent society to employ poor people in cultivating land and various industries. In 1858 the society suspended payments, and the state took the temporary management, arranged with the creditors, and finally retained Ommerschans and Veenhuizen, leaving Frederiksoord and Willemsoord to be managed by the society.
Jan. 1, 1873, the government colonies contained 2,809 persons. There were 2,223 men and 507 women; 54 boys and 36 girls under 16 years. Protestants, 1948; Roman Catholics, 834; Jews, 38. Could read and write, 2,071; able for work, 2,657. They have all been convicted, by a magistrate, of begging; and are employed in agriculture and various handicrafts. Peat is largely prep !red; coffee-bags and other coarse fabrics are manufactured. Rye, oats, buckwheat, potatoes, etc., cover 2,000 acres, and 1200 arc in grass. These institutions are a great expense to the nation, but have reduced the numbers and improved the social condition of destitute people.
The coloniesof the benevolent society extend to about 6,000 acres, and the inhabitants are either tenant cotters, with about 7 acres of land to each house, or labor for the com pany. The cotter families pay for a house and land a yearly rent of £4 3s. 4d.; the nee
of a cow being also obtained for a small hire. The factory-workers weave sacking, coarse cottons and linens, make baskets, mats, straw-hats, etc. There are two Protestant churches, a Roman Catholic chapel, and a synagogue. These colonies have not been self-supporting, and are partly maintained by the annual contributions of 5,070 mem bers, gifts, legacies, etc. Jan. 1, pop. 1956. Land produce, hay, rye, oats, buckwheat. potatoes, oak wood and bark, etc. Stock-303 cows and oxen, 34 calves, 27 horses, 251 sheep, and 40 swine. In 1874, 1028 acres were cultivated. The property, stock, etc., of the society are valued at £78,615, and the debts at E12,300. The position of the colonists has been greatly improved, and their homes show signs of industry and comfort. When working in the factories, a tenth part of their earnings is placed in a reserve fond, to be paid to them in winter or in time of sickness.