Where permanent relief is required by any poor person in a county in which he has gained a settlement the director of welfare under the direction of the county welfare board shall commit and remove such person to the welfare-house in its jurisdiction, if there is such, or the welfare-house of another county wherein the permanent poor of the county are maintained by contract as provided in this chapter, or furnish relief at home, if the circumstances as otherwise herein provided may be lawful and preferable.
N.J.S. § 44:4-63