LADIES' BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

Southland Times, Issue 1160, 17 May 1869, Page 2

LADIES' BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

The members and friends of this Society held thoir annual Soiree on Wednesday evening lasl, . in the building formerly occupied by Messrs Moeller, in Tay-st.-eet. About 120 persons sat down to tea, after which, Thomas Watson, Esq., was called to the chair. The reports by the Secretaiy and Treasurer having been read, it was ' mentioned by the Chairman that the item of Government aid in the Treasurer's report, included £50 due in the previous year, and further, that although the contribution of the G-overnment to data had not been received by the Society, it had not been withdrawn, but would be paid when the Government was in funds. The Eev. W. P. Tanner, moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Captain Elles. A resolution, inviting the present Committee to continue operations, and pledging the meeting to i effort to secure funds, was moved by the Key. A. H. Stobo and seconded by Dr Deck. Messrs Kingsland and C. R. Marten, -with several ladies" contributed to the musical portion of the evening's treat. REPORT. " The Committee of the Invercargill Ladies' Benevolent Society, in presenting their annual report, desire to return iheir acknowledgments for that measure of assistance which has been afforded them by the public, enabHug them in a degree to alleviate the existing sorrow and distress. They regret that the funds at their disposal have not been adequate to meet all the cases which have presented themselves, and further, to spread the benefit;* of the Society over as wide a sphere as possible, they have been couipeHed iv many instances to reduce the amount of assistance rendered by the Society to the lowest minimum consistent with any degree of efficiency. It will be seen by the synopsis of cases receiving relief from the funds of the Society, that the principle of the Society's operation has been the relief of those whose necessities have been manifestly apparent. In the exerciso of their discretion as stewaeds of public funds, those objects have been selected, Ss'tb'the urgency of the case. The peculiarity of circumstances, has in a l l cases, bean carefully considered, and the recipients of assistance have been selected from among the vidows and orphans, and the helplessly destitute. The Committee have again to reftr to ths claims of the Society resuming from crime or misconduct in the head of the family As to crime, where the punishment of the head has resulted in the destitution of the family. As to misconduct, where this has necessitated aid, amounting in some instances to the entire support of the infant offspring, and its withdrawal from parental control. This committee must again urge the necessity of steps being taken for the formation of soine Institution for the maiutenance and education of destitute and neglected children, to prevent the formation of habits of crime and ultimata burden to the community. The subsidy from the Provincial Government having ceased to be paid to the Treasurer, the Committee are in the painful position of having to advise the public that the operations of this Society cannot be conducted on even the present scale unless the amount of public contributions sha) 1 be greatly increased. While earnestly deprecating the necessity for curtailing, and especially the ' possibility of suspending operations, they com. mend this Institution to the care of Him " who beareth our sickness and healeth our diseases," and for present or future contributors to its funds, would pray that upon them may descend the blessings of " Him who was ready to perish," that they may realize the assurance that they have "caused the widows heart to sing for joy," and that from the lips of Him who on eaith " went about doing good," may issue, when he shall come again in glory, the sentence of approval, " inasmuch as ye did it to one of the least of these my brethren ye did it unto me." " The cases relieved by the Society may be summarized as under : — " Two cases of destitution as the result of crime. The head of the family, in each case, being in prison. Ei'iht individuals. " Orphans and neglected children — two boarded and educated, one of whom has been placed in a situation, and six others who have been iv various ways cared for and atteuded to. " Widows — six ; number in families twentythree. " Old a-ul infirm — Two cases. " Accidents and various causes — eight families."

statement ov receipts and expenditure of the lidies' benevolent society, fbom 22nd maboH; 1868, to 10th may, 1869.

BECEIPTS.

BXTBNDITnfiE. To Maintenance of Destitute Chil-

S. A. WATSOJf, Treasurer.

IBy Proceeds of last Tea Meeting £8 16 0 „ Drawing-room Entertainment 14 19 o „ Pnblic Subscriptions 8> 10 0 „ Government Contributions ... 143 0 0 „ Interest from Savings' Bank ... 1 16 6 £254 1 6 Balanco brought forward 16 9 1 £270 10 1

dren £102 8 6 „ Education of Orphans 8 2 0 „ Cash Belief 54 19 7 „ Groceries 41 11 0 „ Butcher Meat ... .. 14 3 6 „ Passage Money 3 15 0 „ Clothing 4 16 £229 1 1 Balance in hands of Treasurer „. 41 9 6 £270 10 7