BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2302, 19 August 1881, Page 3

BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the subscribers to the abova was held at the City Council Chamber at 3 p.m. yesterduy. Present—Mr C. T. lek (chairman), Revs. Flavell and Orewes, Bev. Father Ginaty, Messrs Thomson, Maskell, Hawkes, Ollivisr, Packer, Jameson, Dobsoxt, Pratt, March, and Mitchell (hen. sec.) The Chairman said the meeting had been called to hear the correspondence with th-) Government respecting the granting of the Eubßidy from tho Government of £1 for £1 of cash and goods in kind. The meeting would uls) ho called upon to elect a new committee, but ho might say that the members of the old one were willing to act if required, it would hare been belter if the rncney had been in their hands at the beginning of the winter, hut e!ill it might bo u;ilised even row. His own idea wea fhat a portion of the money should bi> set etie'e to foi m a nucleus of a future fund, using what might be required just. now.

Mr Mitchell, the hon. sec, read the correspondence pass-n g between himself and the Government on the subject of the grant of £1 per £1 on what had been subscribed, and the result or the application to the Government for the subsidy. He might eay that he had to prepare a statement of the subscriptions received, (ii.d a rt-tutory declaration mads by the treasurer, and on August 3rd he roceived a letter stating that the amount of £853 odd had boon placed to their credit, with an intimation that in future the subsidy would only bo paid on the amount of casta received. The balance from last year of £2B had been partially expended in relieving twenty-eight cases, under the resolution of tho oommittee by tho treasurer and secretaiy. Ho might cay that an cSice, or eome place where applicants could apply, wag necessary. As regarded the resolution of the committee 6'mt ro cash should bo given, he desired to point out that in many ca?es it was necessary that rent should be paid, and that the decision in the caees should be left to the committee, ss each presented different phases. There was just one remark ho wished to make, and it was this, that, with vory few exceptions, the subscription list did not ontain tho names of any of the rincipal merchants. All the sums were contributed by what ho might call the small people.—Mr * Ollivier moved, "That tho thanks of this Association be given to the Government for the prompt action taken by them io responding to the request of ths Association."—Mr Maskell seconded tho motion, which was agreed to unanimously. —Mr Ollivier moved, " That a committee of twelve gentlemen be appointed to oarryon the business of the Association." He thought that they might carry on tho business of the Association shorn of the most objectionable element of the soup kitchen, which had been a source of great trial to them. [Hear, hear.] Ho was glad to be able to say that they could very well dispense with this element. He would also further proceed to en body his views in resolutions, as follows, " That the main operations cf the Association be confined to the issue of coals, blankets and clothir.g." "That money relief be administered in some cases, but only in these recommended ty tho committee." He thought they might coi-fine themselves to tho issue of coals, blankets, and clothing, as there was no doubt that a number of cases of distress existed amongst them. He warmly supported Mr Mitchell's proposition that in some cases rent should be paid where the wives ard children are afflicted with a drunken and dissolute husband. In many cases last year women and children would have been driven out into the street had it not been for the association paying the rent and keeping a shelter over their heads. There was no doubt that tho wealthy merchants and others should be asked to contribute not only £1 or £2, but a substantial amount, so as to enable them to go to the Government and claim the subsidy of £1 per £l. He begged to move the first resolution.—Bav. T. Flavell seconded the first resolution, which waß carried unanimously.—The Chairman asked Mr Ollivier whether he would move the names of the proposed committee.—Mr Ollivier replied in the negative. He was of opinion that they should hold an adjourned meeting next week for the election of tho committee by ballot. They could hardly now proceed to elect themselves as a committee. When the names wore io at the next meeting they could then ballot for the committee j and ho thought if they asked gentlemen to come forward they would bo enabled to get a very strong committee —lt was resolved that the suggestion of Mr Ollivier bo carried out, and an adjourned meeting was fixed for that day week at 2.30 p.m., to receive tho names of the committee. —Mr Ollivier then moved the next resolution respecting the objects of the association.—Some discussion ensued as to the resolutions, the chairman and Mr Maskell holding that tho meeting had no right to give a recommendation to the incoming committee, as tying their hands somewhat. It was urged that it would be far better to leave the matter, which was a fundamental principle, for tho committee to decide. It was ultimately resolved that the matter stand over till tho meeting at which the committee was to be appointed.—Bev. T. Flavell moved—" That a hearty vote of thanks be given to the hon. secretary, Mr W. B. Mitchell, for his efforts in obtaining the subsidy from the Government." Mr Jameson seconded tho resolution, which was carried unanimously.—Mr Oliivicr moved with a view to the establishment of a permanent Benevolent Aid Association, donations and subscriptions be immediately applied for from tho benevolent." Mr Jameson seconded the motion pro forma, but questioned whether it was right to go to the public and ask for c-übscriptions when they had a large sum at their credit. Whenever there was a necessity tho public always responded. (A Voice : "Net always.") Well, when they were properly asked ; and he thought they should wait until they had expended the money now in hand.—Mr Mitchell said that they we:e not g .ing to ask tho public to psy their money now. What they intended to do was to ask for annual subscriptions, payable at tho end of the current yesr. This was thß principle upon which they had obtained grants ia aid iu Victoria. What they should do was to go to the firms in the city and ask what their subscription would bo for the current year, and forward tho list to the Government, upon which they could claim a subsidy.—Mr Hawkes suggested that they should wait until th 6 issue of tho Charitable Aid Bill was ascertained, and see then in what position thoy were placed. They had now quito enough money to carry thorn over till the rising of Parliament, when they would see in what shape the Bill came cut of Parliament. He urged also that no restrictions should bo placed on the committee to bo elected as to tho manner in which they should dispense tho funds placed at their disposal.—Mr Ollivier, in reply, pressed tho resolution, and pointed out the dangers of delay.—Rev. T. Flavell moved, as an amendment—" That the matter bo left over till the next meeting." They had a largo amount of raor.ey in hand, and they could not, with any show cf justice, go and ask the public for subscriptions.—Mr Ollivier withdrew his motion, and tho amendment then fell through, it being understood that the matter stand over till next meeting. Tho meeting then adjourned.