S.C. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2675, 21 June 1894, Page 3

S.C. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held on Tuesday. Present — Messrs Moore, Talbot, Gillingham, Hill, White, Rhodes, and Coltmau. In the absence of the chairman, Mr Jackson, who is out of town, Mr Moore was voted to the chair. The secretary, Mr Orwin, reported that since last meeting there had been four applications for aid from fresh families. Two at least of the four would be only

temporary charges, as they were the families of men who had gone to the North Island to form a new settlement, the other two would probably be on their hands through the winter. There had

been two deaths in the barracks, a man named Pinch and a woman named Green, Four adults had been admitted, and five children, whose mother waa in the were received temporarily. Everything had gone on satisfactorily; there had been no complaints that he was aware of. There was a letter from Mr Halt Jones, with a cheque, to be read in its order. The financial statement showed £78112s 3d in the bank, but the payments amounted to/ £832 5s 4d, includihg £465 to Waimate Hospital. In reply to Mr Rhodes the secretary stated that the finances were in about the same condition as they were at this time last year. The hospi a 1 stewa d Mr Jowsey, stated that the time was approaching for inviting tenders for hospital supplies, and

he made some suggestions for improving the conditions of contract. The list of groceries required gave rise to a discussion as to the qualities and food values of different brands of like goods, and come curious facts came out about “corn-flour” made of mere starch; of coffee tendered at prices below cost of raw beans; of “ arrowroot ”of unknown composition, but certainly not the

genuine thing; and of “ pearl tapioca ” and “large sago” being precisely the aame thing in the shops here, though they are not so elsewhere. —It was resolved that tenders be called for hospital supplies, the suggestions of the steward to be incorporated, the chairman and Messrs Hill and Moore to receive and accept tenders. Hospital accounts amounting to £IBB lls were pasaed for payment, A cheque for £ls was received from the Diocesan Trust Board, Dnnedin, amount of dividend from the Russell Trust Fund. Green, who had been promised £ for £ up to £22 on subscriptions collected to pay the passages Home of himself, wife and child, waited on the board to show how he stood. He produced a subscription list showing £6 10s 6d collected and £2 15s 6d more promised, He practically asked the board to make up the

amount to £44. He produced a judge’s order declaring the child legally adopted. The board decided to adhere to their former offer. A good deal of correspondence relating to charitable aid cases was read. Two disagreeable cases were described, one at Geraldine and another at Temuka. The former was left to the two local members to deal with, and pressure wee ordered to be put upon a son in the latter. Mr Talbot moved, Mr Hill seconded, and It was carried —“ That the attention of the secretary to the Labor Department be drawn to the circumstance that two families of men who have lately been given employment on co-operative works have applied for charitable aid, and ask if the Department can arrange that a portion of their earnings be remitted for the support of those families, and also a refund of amount already provided by the board.” In the case of a woman with a number of young children at Geraldine, it was decided to write to the husband and father in another provincial district, demanding that he send for his family. A letter was read from Mr Hall Jones, M.H.8., reporting that with the sanction of the board a concert was given on Tuesday, June Ist, in aid of the furniture fund of the Old Men’s Home, that the net result was £46 14a, and adding the Government subsidy of 24s in the £ made up £lO2 14s sd. With the chairman’s permission and co-operation, Mrs Bothwell Mrs Cross, aud himself selected a number of useful articles of furniture, boots, and clothing, which were required at the home. They asked tor permission to draw upon the board for the unexpended balance up to £lO2.

Mr Talbot moved and Mr Hill seconded —“That the thanks of the board be heartily accorded to Mr Hall-Jones and the ladies and gentlemen of Timaru for their very successful efforts to raise funds by a concert, etc., for increasing the comforts and conveniences at the Old People’s Home, and also express gratification for the interest taken generally in the institution by many kindly disposed residents in all parts of the district.” Carried unanimously. It was also resolved on the motion of Messrs Ooltman and Jones —“ That the request of Mr Hall-Jones, for power to act upon the unexpended balance up to £lO2 be granted,” Tenders were opened for the erection of water-closets at the barracks, connected with the sewer—W. Werry, (accepted) £7l 10s; W. H. Tubb, £72 15s; D. Dawson, £76 2s; J. Oragie, £77 18s ; A. Targuse, £79; J. Delaney, £Bl ; W. Wood, £Bl. The board then discussed Mr Moore’s motion of suggestions for the improvement of Mr Oadman’s Destitute Persons Bill. These were published some time ago. They propose the establishment of State “ refuges ” for the reception of habitual drunkards and loafers, where they could be compelled to work for their living, and perhaps to provide a surplus for their families; that mutual arrangements be made with other colonies, to collect moneys from men who have left their families rather than transport them to the colony they left; also that Stipendiary Magistrates should have power to grant separation orders to wives with maintenance orders. It was resolved that the board approved of the principles of the new Bill, especially of certain clauses, and suggest for the consideration of the Government the clauses proposed by Mr Moore. Charitable Aid accounts £l7B 0s 4d and payment to Waimate Hospital £465 14s were passed and the board rose.