North Wairarapa Benevolent Society.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2918, 7 June 1888, Page 2

North Wairarapa Benevolent Society.

The regular monthly meeting ot the trustees was held yesterday. Present: Messrs J. Payton (Chairman), S. E. Gapjier, P. M. Galloway, and J, Macara. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, The following letter whs read, " Wellington, 28th May, 1888. Sir, I am desired by the Chairman of the United Distriot Board to acknowledge the receipt of your application for an advance in aid of your funds, and to inform you that until the " Local Contributing authorities" of your district pay their quarters instalment ib.is impossible to accede to your request, L. W. Loveday, Secretary." The following telegram to the Colonial Secretary from the Chairman was read. District Board refuses to supply money, funds are exhausted, will Government take over maintenance ten poor families or shall cases be turned adrift. J. Payton, Chairman." Reply: " Colonial Secretary wishes you to send by letter particulars of cases alluded to in your telegram, when he will consider what to do. G. S. Cooper." The Chairman said that at the end of March they had, in accordance with the law, notified the Distriot Board of their probable requirements for the coming year, which were estimated at £450. They had applied for the sum of £BO on account, for two months supplies, and they had heard the reply to their application just read. By the Act the District Board were directed to furnish the Society with the sum requisite" on demand." The Trustees had incurred liabilities to the extent of £BO, aud they had absolutely nothing to meet them with. It m impossible

for them to continue in tliat maimer; in fact they were not justified in so doing. On the other hand, there were a number of poor families requiring - mediate relief. Government had l®i appealed to, and had responded oy promising to consider the cases. The . poor families, however, could not afford to wait. Taking into consideration the amount of the liabilities already contracted by the Trustees, the question for them to consider was whether they should continue in operation under the circumstances. So that the meeting should have something definite before them, lie, after consulting one of the Trustees, as Chairman had sent the telegram, that had been laid before' them, to the Colonial Secretary, and they had heard his reply. Mr E. 11. Galloway suggested that the information asked for should be sent to the Colonial Secretary. IB The Chairman said the quest'on they \ wanted first to decide was whether they were to continue to distribute aid or tell those destitute families to seek relief from the Government. It would never do to let poor families continue in want week after week. It was open to them to serve a writ upon the District Board to compel them to supply the Society with funds, but the Toßtees had no money for such purpo™ or any other. The secretary had < also written to the member for the district to help matters forward. They ought to go to the local bodies and say they were in want of funds to carry on, and ask if they were willing to assist.. Should they refuse, the onus to a certain extent would fall upon the local bodies. On the other hand if the heal bodies would give same guarantee the Trustees could continue to administer relief.

Mr S. E, Gapper moved ind Mr J, Macara seconded, That a copy of the correspondence be sent to theMasterton £ Borough Council and to the Waiiarapa North County Council and the position of the Society be represented to them, and that tlioy be informed that unless the Local Bodies could assist tho Society no further relief could be granted. The motion was carried.

The Chairman said it was no use going into fresh cases for that week, unless the Borough Council tided them over they would have to refuse alMiplicants for relief on the morrow,' Tho Secretary was instructed lo forward to the Colonial Secretary the particulars of the cases requiring relief. Mr Macara moved that the meeting stand adjourned for a week. In the meantime,' it was directed that nothing should be done towards relieving the present cases, The County Council would meot on Tuesday next and the Borough Council would hold a special meeting that (Wednesday) evening. Should any favorable reply be received by the Secretary he should issue the orders as < usual for the current week. \

.The motion was carried,and the meet' ing adjourned accordingly.