THE MAYOR'S DESTITUTION RELIEF FUND.

Taihape Daily Times, 18 December 1918, Page 4

THE MAYOR'S DESTITUTION RELIEF FUND.

THREE TRUSTEES APPOINTED. A meeting of contributors and intending contributors to the i'und inaugurated by His Worship the Mayor for the relief of the destitution caused by the influenza epidemic was held in the supper-room of the Town Hall last night. There was an attendance of twenty-five; and apologies were received from Messrs Arthur James, G. Wrightson, and C. E. Darvill. His Worship the Mayor presided. The Mayor said the meeting was sailed for the purpose of putting the fund on a proper footing and electTSg trustees to handle the money. This was most essential. Every car« should be taken to keep the names of those in receipt of assistance private. The trustees should be empowered to grant -ylief in every case —there should be no hard and fast rule—which came within the scope for which the fund was originally subscribed. Personally he considered the responsibility for the destitution incident to the epidemic rested with the Government, and not with the residents of this town and surrounding district. The amount at present subscribed totalled about £550, and he was quite certain that if it was necessary to increase the fund the money would be forthcoming The reason that the fund was not greater was the general opinion they had got all that was needed at present. At his (the Mayor's) recuest Messrs S. Powell and D, Neagle had been looking after all cases that required attention. These gentlemen had done a large amount of work, and submitted a report, which he read. The report stated, inter alia: On the 21st November His Worship the Mayor requested Messrs Neagle <uid Powell to act as a temporary Relief Committee to attend to cases brought about by the influenza epidemic. This committee kept in touch with the general committee, and attended to all cases reported, and also made a general canvass with a view to obtaining information regarding cases that did not - come under the notice of the general committee. In cases where immediate assistance was necessary immediate action was taken to temporarily relievo the distressed until such time as a permanent committee was appointed. A splendid response was made to the Mayor's request for donations of children's clothing, as well as donations in cash. A circular letter received from the Rangitikei County Council was handed to this committee by tho Mayor, asking for a report of cases of destitution arising from the epidemic, under the following heads: —First, from the less o£ father or husband: 2nd. from the loss of mother or wife; 3rd. from the loss of both paronts. This information was duly supplied, with recommendations from the committee. The thanks of the committee are due to several ladies who kindly took charge of cnildren whose parents were in the hospital. Inquiries have been, made by the committee as to 'the conditions oi cases at Hihitahi and Taurangarcre, and it has been reported that there are no cases in these districts requiring assistance." Particulars of a number of cases that required immediate attention were supplied for the information of the incoming trustees. On concluding the reading of the report the Mayor remarked that it disclosed what a lot of good work had been done by Messrs Neagle and Powell, and the hearty thanks of the Committee were due to them. (Applause.) Mr W. McLennan said he would like to add his quota of thanks to Messrs Neagle and Powell. Personally he undersood the fund was raised to relieve cases of immediate necessity, and this had been done. As far as making the fund permanent was concerned, if this was necessary to meet the exigencies of the case it should be done. He was sure the public would rise to the occasion. All subscriptions had been raised voluntarily by the people, in the shoip period of some ten days. If the Government did not do its duty to make men* and women of the children who had been left orphans, the public should get into the collar, push the Government, and do what they could for the orphan children. Mr Spence thought it should be made quite clear who would benefit. Would it be the orphans? The Mayor said this should be left to the trustees. No necessitous cases should be unrelieved, whether it was men, women, or children. It was not in his mind when the fund was initiated that the fund should be for orphans only, but for husband, wife, or ehi!d. Tho Rey. Mr McDonald said they should proceed to elect trustees, and icav.; the question of the permenency of the fund to them. They could leave the Government out of the question altogether. He did not understand *hat the fund was to he for orphans only, but for all cases of destitution. If they, appointed trustees wisely the question of permanency or otherwise ane the administration of relief could

»c left to them. He moved that three trustees be appointed. A discussion then took place on the selci tJon ,of trustees,, a sug b e»*ion| being made that they should represent various parts of district/which led the Mayor to that a large amount of money had been subscribed, in the outside districts. It was difficult for these contributors to attend meetings in town; he was sorry it was. so. as they often lost the benefit of men who were willing to assist. Rev. Mr McDonald and Messrs D. Scott and C. Gibbs were eventually :»ppoiuted trustees. Mr Gibbs in a few words voicec the thanks of the meeting to Mr Arrowsmith ror his action in initiating the fund. The Mayor then moved: That this meeting empowers the trustees to administer the fund in such manner as they may think the necessities of the cases require.

Tn thanking those present for their att( ndance, the Mayor said he was sorry there was not a larger number present, but many lived in the out districts. They had come through a very strenuous time, and had lost a number of good citizens. It was still necessary to provide nurses for cases in the outside- districts. He hoped that when the New Year came there would not be a single case of influenza district, a hope that was fervently echoed by all present. Mr W. McLennan asked the Mayor to keep the list before the public, and His Worship agreed to do so. Mr W. J. Munro, as a representative of the people of Taihape, said he could not allow the present occasion to pass without thanking the Mayor and his committee for their strenuous efforts in fighting the epidemic. Their efforts were second to none in the Dominion. While the community was sending its young men away to fight, the older men had stayed at home to carry on. The opportunity for the older men had come, and they had done splendid work. But if the men had done so well, the ladies had even surpassed them. The public had a great debt of gratitude to the Mayor and those who had worked with him. (Applause.)

Mr ArrowsmifS thanked M"r Munro on behalf of himself and his fellowworkers. When he looked at those gentlemen present he thought if he said much it might be said they were scratching each other's backs. For his own part he did not take any special credit for wrnat he had done. From his position in the town ho had only dene his duty, but he bore eloquent testimony to the sterling work done by his fellow workers; they had worked splendidly. But there was one man in that band who stood out preeminently; he did not think it necessary to give his name. (Applause.) A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close.