The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1880.

Kumara Times, Issue 1097, 6 April 1880, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1880.

Among the many demands that are made on the pockets of the residents of this district those under the classification of charity may be numbered as legion. The cause of this is twofold : Firstly, the non existence of any recognised society for dealing with cases of distress deserving of public sympathy and support; and, secondly, Because the community at large, with

a mistaken, charity that is so characteristic on a goldfield, simply contribute in every individual case brought under their notice without inquiry or refiection as to its merits ; and also often on the ground that the request is [•referred by personal friends or customers. In mauy instances the collection of a good round sura of money and the handing of it to the distressed recipient is far from judicious charity, and often defeats the very object the subscribers have in view. To illustrate a case of this nature we will suppose a widow left entirely destitute with three or four young children through the accidental death of her husband. A subscription is set on foot or a benefit given by which a large amount is realized and handed to the widow for the releif of herself and family. Probably never before having been the possessor of so much ready money, she incurs expenses that, under other circumstances, she would never have contemplated. Her.mind naturally being unsettled through her recent bereavement she does not look forward to and make provision for the future, and in a few weeks the subscriptions of a liberal public have dwindled away and her case comes again under our cognisance in another form.

Some two years ago a number of ladies in this town made a most praiseworthy efiort to relieve the distressed by the organisation of a Benevolent Society, which, while it existed, effected much good, but, owing to the want of public support and the decrease of its members, gradually became an institution of the past. Another society of a similar nature has been again formed, but in this instance of the sterner sex, under the name of the Kumara Benevolent Society. The society as at present constituted contains among its members the clergy representing the various demonistrations in the district, his Worship the Mayor, the bead of the Police department and a number of the general public. The object of the society, however, is to embrace within its duties the releif of all cases of destitution or such as require charitable assistance ; and with that end in view they are now appealing to the public, through sub-committees to support them in this laudable object. In speaking of “ all cases” requiring relief we may say the main object of the present society is to deal more especially with those cases which usually form the subject of a door to door canvass on their behalf at the hands of the public. Again, all relief will be provided in kind, and no assistance of a pecuniary nature (unless especially necessary) will be given, thereby insuing a judicious expenditure of the funds subscribed for the relief of those coming within the functions of the soeiety. By suoporting the society at the present juncture in carrying out this object, the general public, and more especially the business portion of the community, will be freed it is expected, from those constant drains on their resources which weekly and sometimes daily are made through the medium of subscription lists; as every subscriber to the funds of the Kumava Benevolent Society will be in a position. to refer any case brought under his notice to the consideration of the We are glad to learn that in one portion of the town canvassed yesterday there was only one direct refusal to support the “objects of the society, and that in every other instance the six months subscription was freely and immediately given. If the public will as a body determinedly set their faces against charitable assistance in the form of subscription lists and contribute one half the amount per annum they now give in this shape to a relief committee with the distinct understanding that all deserving cases will receive consideration and assistance, not only the public but the recipients of their relief would be benefitted thereby in the end.