NO ROMANCE IN POVERTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 361, 23 May 1928, Page 16

NO ROMANCE IN POVERTY

ONEHUNGA BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION 65TH ANNUAL MEETING “Charitable aid necessary for the coming winter will be double what it was two years ago,” said Mr. John Rowe, a member of the Auckland Hospital Board, at the 65th annual meeting of the Onehunga Ladies’ Benevolent Association last evening. “Already,” said Mr. Rowe, “thcsre are strong indications of the increase of unemployment, judging by the increase in the demands for relief. Mr. Rowe mentioned two big employers of labour in Auckland who will be compelled within the next fortnight to dismiss no fewer than 130 men between them. Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P., confirmed this statement and said that he feared the coming winter would be a harder one than last year. The Mayor of Onehunga, Mr. W. C. Coldicutt, occupied the chair. The annual report, read by the secretary,, Mrs. Parker, told of the distress in Onehunga, which is very acute, and the association had been reluctantly compelled to send many applicants for relief to the Charitable Aid Board. During the year 54 families and 120 children had been assisted. The report expressed appreciation of assistance given by Mr. Gibson and the pupils of the Te Papapa School for a car-load of clothing: Mrs. D. D. Scott for a quantity of warm clothing: Mr. and Mrs. R. Buchanan, who supplied each of 24 families at Christmas with a joint of lamb; Captain E. T. and Mrs. Wing for toys and cash donations: Mr. H. Robb, Miss Frost and Mr. McLeod for other Christmas gifts. “There is no romance in sickness and poverty,” concludes the report, “particularly when they are combined, as so often happens.” The treasurer. Miss M. Robb, submitted the balance sheet, which showed that £ 159 had been expended in relief in addition to necessaries of a greater value donated by sympathisers. The following officers were reelected: President, Mrs. Logan; vicepresidents, Mesdames W. C. Coldicutt, D. D. Scott and J. E. Cowell; secretary, Mrs. Parker; treasurer, Miss M. Robb; auditor, Mr. E. J. Gatland; committee, Mesdames R. Buchanan, I. Hutchison, J. Rowe, H. J. Davies, A. G. Houlds worth, T. J. Wathew, J. E. Green, W. J. Jordan, T. Kennedy, E. V. Sutherland and YV. E. Leadley. The Major drew attention to the presence at the meeting of Mrs. Isabella Hutchison, the first white child born in Onehunga, 83 years ago. Mrs. Hutchison, he said, is the only living member of the association who was present at its first meeting 65 years ago, and she has taken a continuous end active interest in its affairs ever ! since.