CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Kumara Times, Issue 3146, 3 December 1886, Page 3

CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

. The first meeting of the new Westlaud Charitable Aid Board was held at Hokitika on Wednesday, at 7.30 p m. The Chairman (Mr Michel) and members of the old Board attended, and transacted the following business of interest to this part of the district, which we extract from the Times' report: — INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Treasury, re payment of £468 to the Board.—Received. From the Treasury, stating £416 had been paid to the Board's credit.— Received. From G. R. Rudkin, enclosing Kumara Hospital receipts account, and account for September.—Received, and resolvad that Mr Rudkin be asked to forward Mr Barnett's book. From Mrs E. Lowe asking for an increased allowance, also stating she was 80 years of age.—Received, and referred to the Kumara Benevolent Society. ACCOUNTS. Accounts were passed to the amount of £9l 15s Id. ANNUAL REPORT. The Chairman then read his annual report. On the motion of Mr Burger, seconded by Mr Grimtnond, the report was received and adopted. A hearty and cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman w«s also moved and seconded by the same gentlemen, who eulogised his conduct in the past. Mr Clarke, one of the new members, also rose and stid he was glad to endorse these remarks. The Chairman returned sincere thanks for the vote accorded him, and the courtesy he had always received. This concluded the busiuess of the old Board. NEW BOARD. Tho following new members took their seats :—Mess-s Ho'mes, Turner, Seddon, M'Whirter, Clarke, and Wade. Mr Seddon was voted to the chair and assumed the duties of returning officer. CHAIRMAN. It wms proposed by Mr Holmes that Mr M'Whirter take the chair. Mr Clarke seconded the proposition. Mr Burger proposed Mr Jack. He thought the chairmanship should be vested iu a townsman. Mr Clarke said he did not hold with that theory. It. was the result of experience that they could get a good man from any place. He supported Mr M'Whirter »»ain. Mr Qrimmoiid recognised the force of Mr Burger's remarks. It would be far and away better to appoint a man who could attend to the duties. He did not wish to imply that Mr M'Whirter was unfit to do so. He honed Mr Jack, Mr Wade, Mr Turner,

or some other member woald come forward.

The Chairman put the motion for Mr M'Wliirter, which was carried unanimously.

Mr M'Wliirter then took the chair, and returned thanks for the honour done him. Messrs Grimmond and Burger had spoken wisely re local men, but he would not have taken the position unless he had been able to perform the duties; if he found he could not carry them out he would take care to resign at once. He had an easier task than his predecessor, and predicted that he would meet with the same meed of courtesy as he. TREASURER. ' Mr Jack was then proposed as Treasurer by Mr Grimmond. Mr Holmes seconded the motion. Mr Turner moved, as an amendment, that the Secretary be appointed Treasurer. The amendment lapsed, and the motion was carried. Messrs Wade, Holmes, and the Treasurer were appointed to sign cheques. RETURN, Mr Seddou moved that the Secretary prepare a return showing the expenses of ihe Board in the last year, the salary paid to every official, and the relief given. Mr Grimmond seconded the motion. He thought it a step in the right direction. M' Clatke did not know whether he could vote for the resolution. He was sure there was no faolt to be found with past management. If there was such a suspicion, let them go to the late Chairman's report for information. Mr Jack supported the motion. He thought it would be a great help to the new members. The motion was then put and carried. ASSISTANCE TO BOARDS. Mr Seddon moved that the clergy and married ladies of Kumara and Ross be asked to assist the Board in deciding cases of destitution and help generally, &c. He eulogised the ladies of Hokitika for the help they had rendered to the Benevolent Society. Mr Jack thought the matter was one for the local committee to deal with. Mr Clarke took exception to one of Mr Seddon's remarks. He saw no veason why the good work should be confined to married ladies. Mr Seddon pointed out that there were no clergy on the Kumara Benevolent Society. There was not even a committee there—at least he knew no member of it. Mr Burger said he could well nnderstand Mr Seddon's ignorance of the matter because he was unaccustomed to benevolent institutions.—[Laughter.] Mr Seddon explained that he had no ill-feeling against any person or persons in moving as he did. He had been some years in a Benevolent Society. Mr M'Whirter pointed out to Mr Seddon that there was a committee in existence at Kumara. He thought they should inform the Chairman and members before providing further. Mr Grimmond said the motion had not been seconded yet. He deprecated casting any slur on the present committees, who might resign in a body. The Chairman said the best thing was to ask the Chairman of the committees to augment their numbers with the clergy. Mr Seddon was astonished to find he h >d touched a weak and tender spot. They were a new Board and not bound by the old committees. When he thought improvement was needed, he would take care to move in that direction. He wished to only extend his motion so that the present members of the Committee of advice could be informed that a new election is to be held in January, the second Monday, subscribers alone to vote. Mr Burger said what, he said before, that such a motion was an insult to the present Committees. Mr Wade asked with reference to the Board of advice, what steps it had taken to raise funds; he said they had not raised a penny and should give way to a committee of subscribers who would take some interest in the matter. The motion, seconded by Mr Holmes wis altered to fixing the dale of the election of a committee by the .subscribers, till the second Tuesday in January, ISB7, was put and carried. Mr Seddon said as regarded the constitution of the Board it would be well to nsceitain the standing of some of the members of the Board who were repiesenting the County. He referred of course to what had taken place, at the meeting of the County Council that day. The Council was a week late in its election, and it would be seen at a "lance iliat unless their position was alined oy kti Cider ui Council me.'.'. difficulty might arise, He suggested oW" ! ' J o i-'jvj udvice of the Board's;

solictor, in conjunction with that of the County Council's solicitor on the matter. The Chairman agreed with Mr Seddon's remarks, and said he would carry out the suggestion. STANDING ORDERS. The Chairman, Messrs- Wade, Jack and Holmes were then appointed a Committee to draw up the Stauding Orders for the new Board. This concluded the business, and the meeting adjourned.