MISPLACED CHARITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2165, 22 August 1907, Page 2

MISPLACED CHARITY.

CHARITABLE AID SYSTEM ABUSED. SOME BAD CASES. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, August 21. T’lio Inspector-General of Hospitals (Dr. Valintino) states in his annual report on the charitable aid system of the colony that “in some districts relief is very loosely, if not lavishly, administered.” He quotes the following instances, which he said all occurred in one district :—(1) E. has been in receipt of charitable aid for some years. By his first marriago there wore five children. Recently ho married again, and in due course his wife presented him with twins. When I visited this family last February I found E. was receiving 16s 6d a week from the Board. Two hoys had been earning 2s Gd a week, but hail returned home for a change. It was reported that E. received £1 a week from relatives. Ho admitted to considerable monetary gifts. Ho was paying 9s a week for a house and five aores. On th© Monday after my visit ho wrote to the Board saying he would not require further assistance. (2) A widow, aged 40, with three children, received I4s Gd a week from the Board. Her washing brings her about 3s a day. (3) A deserted wife with five children received 15s a week from the Board (6s rent, 6s groceries, 3s meat). Until recently she had been earning 10s a week from the local school committee, but gave that up as too hard work. (4) Mrs. F. was receiving 7s Gd a week from the Board on account of her husband’s ill-health, but the latter had been earning 8s a day since December last. She lives in her own house, which ivas bought on the death of her first husband, when she was left at least £l5O in insurance. The present income of the family (per week) from the Board is 7s 6d; rent four-roomed house, say ss; husband earning 8s a da- (£2 8s a week); from daughter in service (who gets 10s a week), ss; total, £3 5s Gd. Dr. Valintino adds that “further comment is needless.”