FOXTON DORCAS SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2577, 8 May 1923, Page 3

FOXTON DORCAS SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. There was a representative attendance of women at the animal meeting of the above held in All .Saints’ school-room yesterday afternoon. The Rev. W. H. Walton presided and apologised for the absence of the Mayor and the Revs. Father Doolaghty, Minifie and Mc- - Donald. He referred to the work the Society had carried ont during the past four years and made special reference to Mrs Mo,Murray, the secretary, and Mrs Frank Robinson. He suggested that two men should be appointed to act in an advisory capacity with the committee. About two years ago a concert was held and the sum of £l9 odd was raised. This money had been pretty well exhausted in purchasing food, etc. for necessitous cases. In the past there had been a good deal of overlapping on the part of the churches but since the formation of the Dorcas Society, a good . deal of this had been eliminated, although cases were still being assisted which should be referred to the Society in order to prevent imposition. A splendid response had been made to the appeal for clothing. The Society had exercised great care in dealing with genuine cases. The Society desired to prevent certain people from begging. It was surprising to know that so many cases of distress had to be dealt with in so small a community. Much of this was caused through drink and gambling. He referred to the assistance rendered by the Hospital Board representative and others. The Society was carrying on a splendid work and had not only .justified its existence but was entitled to the whole-hearted support of the community. The annual report and balancesheet were read and adopted as follows :

“The Society has now» completed its fourth year of work and the past year has been a very full one, for instead of applications ceasing about December they have (owing partly to sickness) continued right through the. summer months. Twenty families have had help; over 40 parcels containing roughly GOO garments have been sent out; £8 6/4 Avorth of new material has been bought (including boots), and £2 8/- has been spent in groceries and bread. The maternity lending hag has proved very useful and has been loaned out six times. “We are indebted to Mr Hornblow for obtaining prompt assistance from the Charitable Aid Officer in the way <>f stores, blankets etc. for urgent cases. Valuable assistance has J>een given by Mr Walton in reporting and visiting needy eases. Ensign and Mrs Huston have also entered whole-heartedly into the work of the Society. “The Society wish to thank the local drapers for liberal discounts and Messrs Barr and Tyer for large parcel of material, Mr A. N. Smith for the use of his premises as receiving and distributing depot, All Saints’ Church for use of schoolroom for meetings, Manawatu Herald for publicity given to appeals to tbe public for assistance and the work generally; to Mr Roore for auditing the hooks and all those who gave donations of clothing etc.” The receipts for year totalled £l6 12/9 and was made up as follows; Balance as at 1/5/22 £l3 3s, Donations : Mrs Ross 19/-, A. Penketh £1 10/-, Lending Bag hire 4/9, members subs. £1 ss, a total of £l6 12s 9d.

Tbe expenditure for the year- totalled £l4 12/8, and was made up as follows: Advertising 4/-, stationery 5/9, train 'fares, etc 19/6, groceries, etc. £2 8/10, new goods £8 6/4, box and lock 8/3, at total of £l4 12s Bd. The credit balance is £4 Os'id. Mr Hornblow, as representative of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, .* thanked tbe Society for tbg splendid work it had carried on and explained the methods of the Relieving Officer and the powers of the Board in dealing with indigent cases; It was unanimously decided to appoint the Rev. W. H. Walton and Ensign Huston as an advisory committee. The officers were elected as follows :—President: Mrs F. Robinson, re-elected; secretary: Mrs MeMurray, re-elected; committee: Mesdames Hynes, Alex. Ross, Barr, Moore, A. N. Smith, Christie, Pearson/Misses Williams and Jessie Ross. it was decided to meet the first Monday in each month. A vote of sympathy was passed to Mrs Barber senr., in her illness. Votes of thanks were passed to the committee and all who had in any way assisted the Society. It was decided to raise funds by an effort at an early date. In conclusion the Press was asked to invite the public to contribute garments and left-off clothing direct to the Society and to refer all appeals for help to the secretary. All parcels to be left at Mr A. N. Smith’s drapery establishment.