CHARITABLE AID.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5384, 29 June 1878, Page 3

CHARITABLE AID.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES.

Sxe, —Before resuming my remarks in reference to the question providing for the destitute poor of this city, which will doubtless ere long come before the general public, as one from which I can see no escape, allow me to thank you for the space allotted to my former letter on the subject. That the committee of the Wellington Benevolent Society up to now have mainly acted as the only relieving guardians of the disabled and destitute poor, with funds available for the purpose far short of what they ought to have been in amount, is a well-founded fact. The appeals made from time to the inhabitants for donations and assistance to help them as dispensers of the weekly aid required are so well known that I need not dwell on that matter in my present communication. It is sufficient to say, the Benevolent Society for the past two years have not secured from all sources sufficient by one-half the amount necessary to meet the numerous cases of deserving objects of charity brought under their notice week after week. The consequence must have followed that in cases of the gravest distress only partial relief could be afforded, on account of so many being on the list for assistance to share the trifle available for distribution. I have the last yearly report, ending 31st December, 1877, in my possession, and from it I quote the sura of £595 ss. 9d. as received from all sources, including Government grant. Is it possible that this sum could have met the requirements of the destitute existing in the midst of a city with a poplation of 20,000 inhabitants 2 It may be said that private charity and help are extended from private sources apart from the Benevolent Society ; but of this latter kind of aid I have reason for believing that only a very limited amount has been dispensed, as in most instances of extreme destitution, almost nine cases out of ten I may say, the Benevolent Society is made use of and referred to by the majority of those applied to for relief. It is, therefore, well known as a result that, however willing and however anxious the members comprising the Benevolent Society may bo to meet all the cases brought before them, their bauds are tied down by inadequate funds to cope with the difficulties which beset them. To suggest a remedy to meet the wants of our destitute poor, I must commence by stating that, according to recent returns laid before tho citizens, it appears that within the city boundary there are 3300 dwellings, and supposing of this number, by appealing to tho

hearts and feelings of two-thirds of the inhabitants of these dwellings successfully, that each of the 2200 occupiers were to subscriuea sixpence per week, averaging all round, this would give a yearly revenue of £2760 ; add to this a similar sum promised by the Government, would leave a net revenue to be expended in aid of onr neglected poor of say £5720. This sum, if it were made available, may appear in the minds of some unnecessarily large; but lot mo remind those who may think so that as Wellington is growing in size and opulence, so she will produce in a short time proportionate poverty, misery, and want, and if it did, we, as a young community, would he no exception to an established and admitted rule. At present, with the exception of our local Hospital and Lunatic Asylum, there is no refuge of any kind to meet the demand there is already for a home and shelter for the aged infirm, the orphan, and the homeless poor. lam told that the late Provincial Government made a grant of land for orphanage purposes. I am also informed that there exists an orphans’ fund under the control of the Benevolent Society amounting to £IOOO. Could not this latter sum be loose ned, and made to form the nucleus towards the erection of an institution so badly and so long wanting. The Ballarat Benevolent Asylum, as an instance, was founded originally with tho object of sheltering the aged, tho orphan, and the disabled; and for years past that city and all the outlying districts, with a much larger population, though not wealthier than Wellington is now, has been enabled to meet all her local wants and requirements in a manner which has bestowed so much good, and has long since been acknowledged to be an honor and credit to her inhabitants, arid a genuine blessing to her poor. Will the citizens of Wellington delay, and not try to remove as speedily as possible a stigma now resting upon them (perhaps unintentionally), and who, as a rule, in every other movement iir a good cause arc acknowledged to be unselfish and generous ? I think not. If, therefore, under the circumstances, the Government has cast off its responsibility upon the inhabitants of the city, let a public meeting be convened for the purpose of organising or founding an institution to meet an urgent want, and so prevent in future the committals to a common gaol, or to a lunatic asylum, of a fellow-creature deserving better and more humane treatment. I am sure the appeal, if properly made, will not be in vain, as X have often witnessed on many occasions that the people of Wellington require no forcing into a cause of charity or benevolence, —I am, &0., Charity. Wellington, June 20.