TEMUKA BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1804, 18 October 1888, Page 2

TEMUKA BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

A general meeting of the members of the Temuka Benevolent Sooiety was held in the Town Board office last Tuesday ovening. Present—Mr K. F. Gray (Chairman), Be v. T. A. Hamilton (Secretary), Rev. J. 11. Dickson, and Messrs Talbot, Blyth, Twomey, Metson, Velvin, Riyner, J. Brown, Mason, Morton, Allan, Quinn, and Gaze. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read, the Chairman called on the Rev. Mr Hamilton to state the object for which the meeting had been called. The Rev. Mr Hamilton said the meeting liad been called in response to represents tions made through the Rev. Mr Bunn and the Rev. Mr Dickson. From what he could gather a member of Mr Bunn's congregation, who was also a member of the Society, had represented that he was thoroughly dissatisfied with the working of the Society. Mr Dickson mentioned cases which required relief, but these cases had been relieved. He mentioned the eases, and continued : Mr Bunn had also suggested that the ladies should have charge. He felt it necessary to briefly traverse the proceedings of the Society, in order tbat those new to the district should understand its position. His own opieion was that its work was now done, It was initiated in June, 1885, by his own individual effort. He wrote to the Government with the view of ascertaining if any subsidy could be given, or what position the Society would stand i*. The reply w*s a favorable one, and on the 11th June the Society waa formally inaugurated, A.t (he meeting then held the chairman said tbat he felt sure that the Government would Boon deal with the question of charitable aid, and as a matter of fact they shortly afterwards did so. At that time, however, there was widespread distress, and all that whs intended was to afford relief iu urgent cises. Now that Government fifforded permanent relief there was no occasion for tho Society to follow up. Extra relief, if required, could bejad ministered by the several Churches.

For instance, the Ohurch of England supplied clothing, medical necessaries, ate, through the Ladiea' Benevolent Sooiety. As a matter of fact, it wss publicly announced on the 11th of June what were the objects of the Society, what had been done, and what was in* tended to be done, and there was no excuse for people not knowing. In any case he could ooly look upon the present meeting as a vote of censure—(No Ino I) —.to those praoticilljr lit) charge of the Society. He felt it as suob, for he bad borne the burden and heat of the day, and, with '"thegentlemen iwßOofated with hiss, bad always endeavored to follow the right course. " ; Mr Tworaey wished, to koow the names of, the Committee. ,' ■''■ i " ■}*

The Chairman read them, They in* eluded the namcß of the Reva. Mackintosh and Thomas. Mr Twomey said that these gentlemen wore appointed to the Committee net as individuals, but in virtue of their cierioal office. Tho Revs. Bunn and Dickson would now come in their places, '' Mr Brown wou'd ask if it was the opinion of the meeting that the ministers should be members of the Board. '

Mc Taroraey: Yes,' certainly. That was the intention, provided, of course, they subscribed. Mr Brown said that apparently 'no subscriptions were required. ... , The Chairman said that the minutes of the last meeting fully brought out the necessity for staying proceedings. The Hospital and Charitable Aid loard had taken their place. For bis own part, he thought the funds had'been most judiciously expended. The executive bad done exceedingly well. The Rev. Mr Diokaon said that he did not speak as a dissatisfied person. He simply wished to know how thing) stood. The Rev. Mr Hamilton said that the report of the lat>t meeting had duly appeared, and Mr Dickson had been invited to attend by post card. I Mr Dickson said that he did not understand the invitation in its propei light. He thought he was to be merely an onloeker. With regard to the visit of himself and Mr Buon to Mr Hamilton,'he was informed that a person ia, indigent circumstances was about to abandon her children, and he was asked to see if some aid could not be given to her.' Mr fiaon had accompanied him to Mr Hamilton, and they had suggested that it would be a desirable thing to give more publicity to the circumstances of the Society.' The meeting had therefore bosn' called. He fully appreciated Mr Hamilton's services ia the past. He thought that if the circumstances of the Society could be brought, to light and the funds added to, more go )d could be done. ' Mr Brown said that the subscribers had oot been fairly dealt with. The whole business had been done by the'Committee. He knew of a case where 5s had been given to a woman, and expended immediately in drink.

The Bev. Mr Hamilton asked for the aame. No money had ever been given. Mr Brown preferred not to mention namai.

The Chairman considered"-Mi! Brown should either substantiate his statement or withdraw it.

Mr Brown would withdraw iE Ha believed the cash had been obtained, bnt afterwards refunded. •:•;;; -.0

Mr Twomey would like to Understand the position. . <-! -■ ;<..<?{ Mr Velvin also desired information.

It appeared on enquiry that an order had been given to a tradesman'to supply a~ widow woman, resident in Pemuka, with firing to the extent of 5a., .By some means cash was obtained, and spent, aa Mr J. Brown had said, in.,driok'. ~,. Mr /. Brown contended thattbii would not bavo occurred if the subscribers had been brought together. He had every contdence in Mr Hamilton. 'i '■

The Rev. Mr Hamilton objected to bis name being mentioned'singly. Whatever he had done had been in connection with the sub-Committee.. ; ~ >u

Mr Brown again oxpreagid his atpreciation of Mr Hamilton's services, -■

The Chairman said he thought there was no occasion for any best. If anyone had wished, all the circumstances •of the Society could have been ascertained. There was always plenty of tittle-tattle. If anyone had looked oven the books and esen the small amounts doled out, they could have seen that there'waa no raßh expenditure. , ;:

Mr Twomey briely: reviewed the circumstances that led to the start of the Society. At that time he and Mr Talbot bad a battle on the subject of the Committee. He (Mr Twomey) wished to avoid sectarianism, aud the clergymen, with two members of each denomination, were put oh the Committee. Father Fauvel had taken so active part, but subscribed. Shortly afterwards, the Charitable Aid Act passed, and, now tbat a Board, to which they all contributed by taxation, sat in Timaru, there was no need for the present Society. There remained, however, some cash in hand! to be dealt ~ with. What would have been the good of calling meetings ? No 'subscriptions were coming in or Surely if " anyone was entitled to confidence it was those administering religion to them. Perhaps Mr Hamilton had been rather sensitive. Be felt perfectly sure that no • one would suspect Mr Hamilton of administering matters in any but a proper way. (Applause). He could see that Mr Brown was labouring under a delusion and doubtless helped to spread that delusion. Supposing an order were giv«m to a tradesman to supply goods and that order was converted into cash, was it fair to blame the Committee? He was quite prepared to stick to the old Committee. Mr Brown was of opinion that if the Society were dying it was the more reason why the subscribers should have been called together. Mr Twomey said the Society was dying because there was no necessity for it. Mr Brown thought the Society could still be carried on. It Has full of, life, if properly conducted. : Mr Talbot regretted that Mr Bunn waa W not present. He felt sure no reflections r were intended to be cast upon Mr Hamilton. Mr Biown made an explanation;- From a conversation he had bad with Mr Bunn it had been thought well te call a meeting. Mr Quinn said there was ne pwssity to call a meetiner, aid paid a high tribute to Mr Hamilton's impartiality aud integrity, He never knew, a minister ef religion cr any other man who acted with * greater impartiality than Mr Hamilton. (Applause).

After lome further remaps the. Chair* tafiu read the balance-sheet. He felt that , there,bad ,been some misunderstanding, Which,| was now cleaned away. *He Considered the Society might be allowed to go on as hitherto. Some discussion ensued as to whether the Society should remain upon the same footing, tbe'fnnda being handed over to be disposed of bj* the ministers of the several denominations, or -be finally wound up, and any Bum in band he given in tru-t to -the .Town- Board or the Charitable Aid ./•"Board.: *,-.. '. -■ -- _ •] .- Ultimately, on the motion of Mr " ■ Twdtaey, a heartyvot* of thanks was passed r " <U'the' f Cominittee for their past Services, r, '(md it was decided that the operations of 'flhe Society be controlled as hitherto. 1 ~ T Mr Hamilton requested to be relieved i of tha duties of Secretary and, Treasurer, n sod asked that the books might be audited. „ jyiessra .Brown, Quinn, lalbot* and Twomey all spoke in praise of Rev. Mr Hamilton's"'ensify, tact, and impartiality, and trusted that his resignation would be { withdrawn. The Rer. Mr Hamilton, after some demur',- cdnsented to fulfil the duties of Secretary and Treasurer as hitherto, i The meeting then terminated with a ;~hesrlfT ?Qte,of thanks to,the chair. -