LADIES BENEVOLENT SOCIETY

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 41, 23 November 1871, Page 2

LADIES BENEVOLENT SOCIETY

The Anniversary Soiree of the Hauraki Ladies Benevolent Society took place last night, at St. Georges Hall, and was a complete success. Tea was commenced at half-past six o’clock, when the good things provided by Mesdames Puckey, Kilgour, Macdonald, Hollis, Pye and others, were done ample justice to. Tea having been concluded, tho room was cleared and seats having been placed, the amusing part of the evening’s entertainment commenced, previous to which, however, Mr. Lloyd took tho chair, and Mr. Miller read the following : The committee of the Hauraki Ladies’ Benevolent Society have much pleasure in laying before the public of the Thames goldfield this, their second annual report, with the confidence that the mode in which the funds of the Society have been expended will meet with the hearty approval of all those who sympathise at heart with the poor' and distressed on this field. The increased prosperity which set in with the commencement of the present year has very materially lessened the sufferings and want of many who were unable, at the time of tho last report, to obtain even the most ordinary necessaries of life, and who have since been enabled to obtain employment in various ways, and so have placed themselves in positions of greater comfort than appeared probable at the date above referred to. The liberal spirit with which the public came forward at the time of the bazaar, in aid of the funds, placed means at the disposal of the Society, with which they were prepared, in the event of continued depression, to relieve distress in far greater proportion than has been required. But, whilst congratulating themselves and the public on the considerable balance still in hand, the committee would urge on the public to bear in mind that, though good times continue, a change may unexpectedly come, and it were better to make provision to alleviate distress whilst floating on the tide of prosperity, than to delay doing so until wc find ourselves stranded on the shoals of adversity. Of those who have been assisted by the Benevolent Society, four have been cases of consumption—two of which have been helped for upwards of six months ; thirteen have been cases of confinement ; whilst four have been assisted to Auckland and other places, One person received assistance from the Society, and has since subscribed £1 towards the funds. £127 17s 9d has been expended in the relief of the distressed, ana contingent expenses ; of this sum £2 12s (id has been spent in sending children to tlie Orphan Home. In addition to the above, £2 was spent in the case of Williams ; 7s was expended in advertising ; also £2, the cost of: printing the last annual reports ; leaving a balance in favour of tlie Society of £l3O 4s 9d. In all oases of relief it has been a rule, which has been faithfully carried out, to make the most stringent inquiry as to the merits of each case, without reference to the religious denomination of those requiring assistance. Mr John Fletcher moved the adoption of the report, which ivas unanimously carried. A vote of thanks to the ladies was also passed with enthusiasm. The programme to bo performed was then gone through. Miss liawkcs and Miss Laura Wiseman sang sweet pieces with great taste, and the Thames Amateur Christy Minstrels gave an entertainment which was really excellent. Mr Puckey proposed a vote of thanks to the performers; and Mr Perrier, in a humorous speech, which was loudly applauded, proposed a vote of thanks to tho Ladies of tlie Benevolent Society. The proceedings then terminated. Mr McGregor kindly gavo the use of tho Hall.