ALLEVIATING DISTRESS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1930, Page 7

ALLEVIATING DISTRESS

BOY BANDSMEN’S EFFORT. AUCKLAND, July 29,

Houses without either gas or electric light, bare floors with sacks spread here and there as a covering, kerosene tins cut down for use as saucepans, families practically destitute of food let alone means with which to procure coal anfirewood'—such is the intensity of the distress which reigns in many of the poorer homes of Ponsonby according to a statement by Mr A. G. Brown, secretary of the Ponsonby Boys’ Brass Band Cpmmittee, which is making a special campaign to combat the hardships of unemployment in the district. 'llie committee was organised early last month and included representatives from every denominational church In the district. A list of families in serious need of assistance was thus secured and a campaign to cqlleot cash and clothes was opened on Sunday, July 13, when the Ponsonby Boys Band played carols in a number of streets and paid visits to every house in the neighbourhood. Since then the whole of the district from Herne Bay to Franklin Rond has been covered and the band will make its final feuuv next Sunday.

“We have found that there are fifty* five families to be provided for,” saict Mr Brown, “and the total of £IOO so far collected has all boon, spent on groceries and vegetables. We hope to lighten th.e burdeu On the Charitable Aid Board, which maj’ thus be enabled to concentrate on providing clothing and firewood to stricken families. If organisations in other districts were to cater similarly for homes in their districts, a great deal could be done towards the alleviation of the present distress in Auckland.”