CORRESPONDENCE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 485, 24 July 1912, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor. Si Fj —Under conditions which are enjoyed in Auckland at present it should not be necessary to appeal for help on behalf of the poor, but urgent necessity compels me to do so. The poor are still with us, notwithstanding ou- general prosperity; I fear they are likely to remain while present conditions continue. Misadventure and sickness regularly contribute their quota of poverty, which comes from drunkenness, selfishness, and irresponsibility that makes the problem which concerns christians, socialologists, and reformers. Poverty due to each of the foregoing causes makes many problems, and at present lam driven to the necessity of taking your readers into my confidence, in the earnest hope that they will supply me with the necessary money and goods to alleviate the suffering which presses upon me, and which is made worse by the acute winter conditions which we are experiencing at the present time. I have recently visited and helped a worthy woman who has long been an invalid. She was dependent upon her son, who did his best for her until an accidentrendered him incapable of further help, at any rate for some months to come. In the interval he ia a burden upon his invalid mother instead of a help. I know the urgency of their need, and have already had the pleasure of doing something to help. But more is required. A mother died a short time since and left several desolate children to the care of a worth'ess father, who has since entirely forsaken them. Tneir grandparents, who have themselves lived for many years upon the verge of poverty-stricken old .age, have taken the poor bairns in hand, and are frying to make provision for them. Ihis pathetic exhibition of impotent love greaHv touched me, and I was glad to assist "in providing accommodation for the poor little waifs. But more help is urgently needed here also. So it is for a woman who has been long known to me, whose health has been shattered ! and whose substance has been spoiled ' by the drunkenness of those she has • been dependent upon. Pathos and 3 tragedy lie at the back of these and ' other cases of which these are typical. 3 All urgently clamour for attention,

and appeal for helo to the many friends who read your paper and who have so generously helped in the past. Contributions will be gratefully received by the treasurer of our Social Fund, Mr H. E. Pacey, of the Dairy Association, Auckland, or by yours trUly ~~ SISTER KENNETH, Auckland Methodist Mission, with which is incorporated the Helping Hand Mission. Roseroad, Grey Lynn, July 19th.