BENEVOLENT AID ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2028, 24 August 1880, Page 3

BENEVOLENT AID ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the committee of the above association was held yesterday at 2 p.m. Present—His‘ Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Mr W. R. Mitchell (hon. otto.), Messrs. Wm, Pratt, John Ollivier, H. W. Packer, J. A. Bird and J. W. Morton.

The Mayor reported having received £7 I7s 6d from the Dean of Christchurch, to bo acknowledged as from R.M.; also that a roll of flannel had been purchased from Messrs. Ballantyue and Co. at 10)d per yard ; also a trunk of boots from a well-known firm in Christchurch at a very low figure, who had also given a large donation of boots ; that the credit of the association at the Bank was £53 19s fid; the outstanding accounts amounting to about £3O.

Accounts to the amount of £l9 12s wore passed for payment. The caretaker’s report was read. He stated that the week’s donations were—Mr Bird, three coats ; a Friend, two hats and a pair of boots ; XYZ, 24 pairs of new boots ; W. A. Knapmun, 561 b. rice; a Friend, a quantity of vegetables; Montgomery and Co., one ton of coals ; a Friend, a quantity of buns. During the early part of the week some difficulty had been experienced in obtaining stock meat for the soup, causing an expenditure of 10s to supply the deficiency. Meat forthut purpose had been received from Messrs. Rosewarne, Hopkins, Hall and Oouzens, and Langdon and Judge. Mr Rosewarne had also sent meat for the house. The relief granted during the week was as follows—coals, 34 bags ; potatoes, 15) bags ; flannel, 56 yards ; boots, 56 pairs ; calico, 54 yards ; blankets, 7 pairs and 4 single ones ; oatmeal, 66 lbs.; rice, 71 lbs.; sago, 24 lbs. j flour, 24 lbs.; soup, 14 gallons daily; bread, 14 41b. loaves daily; also a quantity of groceries and clothing. The reliefs during the week were—first relief, 11 ; second ditto, 12 ; third ditto, 18; fourth di: to, 14; fifth ditto, 8 ; sixth ditto, 2 ; seventh ditto, 2; eighth ditto, 1; total, 68. The articles required were—calico, coals, flour, and rice. The sum of 2j 6i was found in the donation box.

Mr Ollivier moved sittings of committee be discontinued, and altered to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at eleven o’clock, the rota to be re-arranged accordingly.” Mr H. W. Packer seconded the resolution, which was passed unanimously. It was agreed that tho committee sit this day as usual, to prevent applicants being disappointed, and that tho usual weekly meeting of committee be hold at eleven each Monday instead of two p.m. It was suggested that no more blankets be issued to single men now that the weather was getting milder, but that they bo kept for women and children.

The Mayor said it was advisable to close the kitchen, say, at the end of September, and that timely notice should be given to tho care-taker.

Mr Ollivier considered this hardly desirable at present. A wish had been expressed that the institution should not die out, as cases of distress were sure to arise needing its continuance. If after a little time the committee met, say once a fortnight, the care-taker remaining in charge and reporting cases that occurred from time to time, it would bo much better.

Mr Pratt agreed with tho last speaker, and, after a general conversation, it was considered desirable to call a public meeting similar to that at which they were appointed, when they would report on the work of the season, and permanent arrangements could be made. The Secretary, in reply to a question, said that the committee’s action up to the present time represented nearly £IOOO. The meeting then adjourned.