MANY HOMELESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1059, 25 August 1930, Page 16

MANY HOMELESS

CITY MISSION’S SHELTER WELL TAXED \ “MOST SEVERE WINTER” The average number of men who have spent the night at the Auckland City Mission’s .shelter this winter is 120. On one occasion the shelter accommodated 168 men. This information was given by the Rev. Jasper Calder during an address at the mission' service last evening. The severity of conditions this winter had forced many more men to use the shelter, Mr. Calder said. During the four years the shelter had been in use, it had met a definite want in social service work. Since May 1, about 17,000 beds had been supplied to all sorts and conditions of men, among whom, however, a fine spirit prevailed. The majority were anxious to obtain employment, and as a result of efforts by the organising secretary, Mr. B. Clark, 290 men from the shelter had been found work in the country. Reference was made by Dr. H. Barraelough to the work performed by the mission’s medical clinic. Treatment was given at the clinic and . visits were made to homes, the doctor said. This winter 460 cases had been dealt with by the clinic, 64 cases being treated in one week. Dr. Barraclough refuted the suggestion that the dental clinic interfered with the work of medical men, the doctor stating that the clinic provided treatment only to those who were unable to pay, and thus really assisted the medical profession. The clinic was also on good terms with the Charitable Aid Board and did not interfere with its activities.