THE AGED AND NEEDY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4201, 25 August 1892, Page 2

THE AGED AND NEEDY.

Proposed Waiimpa Home,

A meeting of the United District Board was held in the City Couucil Clumbers at Wellington' yesterday, there being present-Tbe Bov. it Van Staveren (Ohairman), H. Fraser, G. Allen, 8. Lancaster, Q. Beetham, and W. H. Beetham. Correspondence with regard to the proposal to establish a Home in the Wairarnpa for the destitute was read, together with a series of resolutions passed by a conference at Masterton on the 6th, approving of the scheme. One of the resolutions asked the Board to provide in their next computation for the establishment of tbo home.

The Hutt Borough wrote, disagreeing with the proposal. The letter from the Conference waß not signed, but Mr W. H, Beetham explained that it had been written by Mr F. G, Moore, the Secretary, and tho Board agreed to accept this assurance.

Mr W, H. Beetham supported the proposal, and said that Mr Stuokey, who had had experience at Home, waa of opinion that such an institution was required. Mr Allen said he did not approve of the idea to establish poor»hoBS8 in the country districts. *

Mr Lancaster thought that the Wairarapa should have brought forward figures, so as to give the Hoard some idea of what was required. Mr Ftaser said ho would pause boforo giving a vote for the establishment of a workhouse in the Wairarapa. In fact, ho oonsldered the proposal a great mistake. Mr 0. Beethara said there was no doubt that outdoor relief in the Wairarapa was growing, and it was thought that the establishment of an Industrial Home would have the effect of preventing many porsons from taking relief. The Ohairman pointed out that the Board bad no power to grant money for the purpose stated, He quite agreed that a change in the system of outdoor relief was required, but before the Board could do anything different from what was now being done another Act would have to be passed. He agreed with the suggestion thai a Relieving Officer should be apposed to see that undeserving.people did not receive relief.

Mr Allen said that the city representatives wero quite willing that the Wellington and Wairarapa districts should be severed.

Mr W. H, Beetliam thought there could be no doubt that it would be cheapor to the Wairarapa people to establish and maintain a Benevolent Qomethanto continue tho presont system of relief, Mr Lancaster was convinced that the public would not agree to the establishment of a workhouse in a rich agricultural and pastoral district like the Wairarapa. j After further discussion, Mr Fraser moved—That the Board has no power to agree to tho proposals of tho conference. ■

The resolution was seconded by Mr Lancaster and agreed to.