Charitable Aid Board.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 339, 17 August 1889, Page 3

Charitable Aid Board.

Asr ordinary meeting of the above was held on Thursday afternoon. Present: Messrs Lucas (in the chair), Joyce, Harding, Tay lor, Lewis, Whinray, and McKay (Secretary). In regard to the case of one McMurray, ths Secretary said he had replied to an applies tion from the Auckland Board by stating that McMurray had not been in this district for six months before he weut to Auckland — The Secretary of that Board wrote expressing surprise at the Gisborne Board sheltering itself behind a plea of that kind.—This was considered rather cool on the part of ths Auckland Secretary. Mr McKay said the Gisborne Board was not taking any advantage —it was simply acting in compliance with the law.—ln replyjto a question Mr McKay said the Auckland Board had shipped McMurray back to Gisborne, but he had not made any application for relief in Gisborne, Some correspondence had also taken place with the Auckland Board in regard to the case of a man named Carr. The Gisborne Board had been applied to for refunds on his account, and it had already paid £l2 12s in that respect, but had subsequently received vague information which caused them to doubt whether the man had been six months in Gisborne. A declaration drawn out in proper form, and signed by Carr, was sent from Auckland, and attested that the man had been six mouths in Gisborne. The claim was for £lO 12s.—Mr McKay said that he had interviewed the Rev. J. McAra on the subject, and that gentleman had stated he felt positive that Carr had not been in the district six months, but he did not care to give a written declaration to that effect. He (the Secretary) could find no written record to enlighten him on the matter.—The Chairman: What is the use of being positive if he can’s swear to it?—Mr ■Joyce said he had intended to make enquiries from another source in regard to this matter, but he had not been able to see the person.— The Chairman said he had no doubt they could manage to get evidence to prove that the man was not In the district for the time stated.—Mr Joy co suggested the matter be postponed, so that enquiries oould be made in the meantime.—The Chairman: I certainly think wo ought not to pay it.—The Secretary : They request an early reply.—Mr Joyce : They could be replied to, saying that the Board is still making enquiries as to the truth of the declaration.—The Secretary suggested that such a rep'y might indicate the weakness cf their position.—The Chairman i We might say that we have got evidence that tho man was not so long in the district.—The Secretary said ho had already wri'.ten to that effect as conclusively as he could do.—ln reply to Mr Joyce, the Secretary said tho Benevolent Society had the dealing with the oass before.—.Mr Joyoo : Surely the Benevolent Society ought to have some record of it. How did the mm come to Gisborne, by sea or overland ?—if by soa we can easily find out the dale,—The Secretary : Mr McAra informs me that there is no record in ths minutes of the Benevolent Society in regard to the matter,—Mr Harding: I do not think we can do anything in the face of the man’s declaration—The Chairman I That is only taw parte statement. I do not think it is worth anything. It has been made out and prepared for the man to sign, and he has done so perhaps not even knowing what it really meant. Being an illiterate man he might, when requested, sign it without hesitation, while Mr McAra, though positive in bis own mind, hesitated signing a document in the face o! a declaration of that sort. If the man was put in the witness box he could be cross-examined, and the evidence of Mr MoAra and others oould be obtained. I do not think the declaration is worth anything.—ln reply to a question the Secretary said, if liable, they were bound by law to keep the man ae long ns he remained in the institution —that was if it.oould be proved he had been in Gisborne for six months before ha went to Auckland. According to the opinion of Messrs Ohrisp and Finn tho only plea the Board could rot up was that the man had not been resident in this district continuously for six months. If that oould not be proved there was no defence.—Mr Joyce : I think the matter should be held over until we can make what enquiries we can from those who were connected with the Benevolent Society. It will be quite time enough to pay when (if at all) we are compelled to,— Mr Whinray : There ought to be some record. Mr Joyce: There was then a Board of ladies and clergymen and they ought to have a knowledge of thoease; whoever supplied him with rations ought to know about it, —Mr Harding: Even that would not necessarily give us the information we want. The man. might have been here a month before he got relief.—Mr Joyce agreed with the Chairman that they might not be able to attach any credence to the man’s declaration. They might reply that they believed that by next meeting they would have proof that the man was not in the district six months.—The Secretary called attention to the fact that the first letter was dated July 2nd, and they had to consider whether there was any probability of action being taken before they had satisfied themselves on the matter.—Mr Joyce said it would not be right to pay away any more money until their doubts had been cleared up, and the general opinion of members seemed to be that they would be justified in risking a small expense rather than pay what they were not certain they were justified in doing.—Mr Lewis : Who has the books and vouchers of the Benevolent Society ?—The Secretary: They have been handed over to me, but they do not give any information in regard to the matter.—Members considered it strange that such a record had not been kept. —The Secretary (noticing the presence of the Standard representative): Perhaps the publicity which will be given to the case may result in someone ooming forward and volunteering decided information.—Mr Joyce: Perhaps the butcher or baker will give us some decided information.—Mr Harding suggested, and the Chairman supported, the publication of a small advertisement asking for information on the subject from anyone who was able to give it. It would cost very little, and might save the large sum that they were asked to pay.—This course was agreed to, ths Secretary to use his own judgment it> regard to any reply necessary in the meantime, The Secretary said cheques had also to be sent to the Auckland Board, amounting to £l9 0s 2Jd, made up: Maintenance of— Matthew Scott, £lO 5a • John Thomson Crawford and family, £7 17s lOd ; Margaret Campbell and children, 17s 4d.—The Chairman : I am afraid we can't get out of this.— Mr Harding ; Can’t we get a refund from Dr Scott; he is now in a billet,—The Chairman : I do not think he gets much.—Some discussion took place, when the Chairman said they had not then to consider whether they could get a refund ; it waz whether they were going to pay the accounts irrespective of what they might obtain by way of refund. They were bound to pay the Auckland Board ; it cost them much less to maintain these people in Auckland than it would in Gisborne.—lt was agreed that the accounts must be paid.— Mr Joyce : I think we will get the money back from Dr Scott if he gets into a position to pay ft. I thick a letter ought to be written to him, reminding him of the matter. —Mr Harding said the Doctor was beginning to pull up again, and he believed a refund oould be obtained from him.—The Secretary was instructed to attend to the matter. Mr Whinray: This charitable aid is becoming a serious matter—it will take more than the rates to pull it up shortly, Mr Joyce : It is very serious. The Secretary’s report showed I—Cases treated during the month—Adults 22, children 54; total, 70. Discontinued—Adults 5, children 13; total, 18. Brill remaining— Adults 17, children 41 j total, 58. The Secretary: Those now receiving aid are—James and three children (Whataupoko), Mrs Miller and six children (Patutahi). Mr Taylor : Where is Miller ? The Chairman i He is dead, The Secretary (continuing): Mrs Parsons and six children (Ormond), Galbraith and Carr (Institution), and John Ashdown's children,

In reply to questions, tho Secretary said that Ashdown was still paying up for the children, the sum being paid gradually working a little of the arrears. Continuing, the Secretary said there were four oases in the refuge. A new outside case was that of Margaret Campbell, who was diecharged from the Auckland Board and became chargeable to the Gieborne Board on her arrival here. He had, on the representation of the Bev. J. McAra, given her and the children rations lor .a fwtalgba, until aha hhsttid be able to got into' work,—Tua Otnrir.

man said she was an excellent washerwom in and he seemed surprised at her wanting aid.— It was remarked that it seemed to be a practice for people to come to the Board immediately, without first trying to make a shift for themeelves, or getting a helping hand from friends.—Mr Joyce said she was a hard working woman and di-I her beat, and there were the children to consider.- The Seoatary stated Mrs Campbell had discontinued as soon as she had got into work. It was stated that John Walters had discontinued.reoeiving relief, but he still retained possession of the blankets that were lent to him. In regard to Mrs Todd and four children, the Chairman said, though expensive, it was a very deserving case; ths husband was a hardworking fellow, but had been laid up with sickness, and the family had also basn afflicted.

In reference to ths case of Mrs Quinney and children, the Secretary said the husband was at a place in Palmerston. Tho last information he (Mr McKay) had of him was that he shortly expected, but had not than obtained work.—Mr Taylor thought further enquiries should bs made about Quinney. It was all very well for him to write and say he had not got work, but he was not very fond of it. He oould have got it in Gisborne if he had wished. In the case of Irving, wife, and four children, Mr Lewis said he thought this was a deserving one, but he had been informed (and he gave his authority) that they had £l6OO worth of property in Melbourne, and enquiries ought to be instituted. One person had been shown the title deeds ; they might have been valueloss, or the property might ba hopelessly encumbered, and the people had been sick and might not have been able to realise on it. But enquiries ought to be at once made.— Secretary instructed accordingly. In the case of Owen and Margaret Lynch, and six children (Whataupoko) the Secretary said the supplies had been discontinued, but another application had been made, and he had eaid he would place it before the Board.— Mr Joyce said it was a very deserving case ; Lynch suffered graat’y from asthma, but ha was willing to work when hs waa able,—Mt Harding said that st least Mrs Lynch was a very hard working woman, and Mr Taylor also spoke highly of her.—Matter left ia hands of Secretary for a fortnight, lie Mrs Percy Ward (Roebuck Road), the Secretary stated that Mrs East had informed him that Mrs Ward had been ill and required nursing. Tbs husband had tramped to the Wairoa, and had broken his leg and been admitted to the Napier Hospital. Hadid not intend to coma back to Gisborne, but Mrs Ward was leaving next week for her mother's place. At the utmost she would only require relief fir another week.—Granted, The Secretary said he bad given an order for a fortnight and a further application was now made, ir, ths ease cf Mrs Tills and two children.—Mr Taylor said Tills had net, he believed, been in work since he came io Gisborne. He had seen him in hotels between eleven and twelve o'clock at night,—The Secretary said he could not say much as to the man, but he believed the woman was deserving of help—certainly eha required it.— The Chairman said they had to think of the children.—Mr Wbinray said the Board would have to make some arrangement for getting people work.—Mr Joyce: Start them working on Kaiti.—Mr Lewis thought it would be a good plan to take a oase before the 8.M., if it was found that a man would not work to sunport hia wife and family; that would relieve the Board ot many oases.—Mr Whinray : It is very difficult for men to get work.— Mr Harding’ said Tills had gone to him and told him he was urgently in need of work and was! willing to do anything he oould get to do. Ha (Mr Harding) was unable then to give him work, but the man certainly appeared willing. He waa a general hotel hand.—Mr Lewis said it it was true that the man did not care for work and spent his time in public houses, they could not have much sympathy for him.—Mr Harding :He told me a mournful tale; he eaid hia wile and children would have to get something to eat. —The Chairman said they could not lot the wife and children want.—Mr Taylor said he certainly did not mean they should do that; he only called attention to what he had seen of the man.—The Secretary said he had visited the place, and oould affirm that Mrs Tills and the children were keenly suffering from want.—Mr Joyce: It is wrong to visit the sins of the father upon the children, though that may be in accordance with Scripture,—Left to Secretary. The Secretary said one of the old men had left the institution, and he read a letter from Mrs Armor, who informed the Board that ehe believed these would be permanent lodgers,

and that their leaving made a considerable difference. She referred to the case of Mr Beyers, whose ailments required that he should have a great deal of attention, and she requested that the Board would make her an extra allowance, at any rate until there were more old men to look after.—The Chairman : I am afraid we are paying too much now. It is 15s each a week, while at Napier and other places the cost is about four crfivo shillings a week.—Mr Whinray said he, believed they might manage to get a place ■ on the Haiti, and make those who were able i work in the garden;—Mr Joyce said the land was too dear there,—Mr Harding considered the cost of these men was far too much—that i they ought to be kept at the Hospital for i half—but in the case of Beyers, the remuner.i-1 tion was not sufficient, on account of the trouble.—Mr Whinrey said labor would have ' to be .supplied for those men.—Mr Joyce : I What ia the use of talking about labor?—the) old man can hardly totter along.—Mr Lewis I said the man was quite helpless.—Mr Whin-: ray said he believed they might get about five I acres on Haiti, erect a suitable place, and the more active men oould attend to the others.— ‘ After further disohssion, it was resolved, on] the motion of Mr Harding, seconded by the. Chairman, to allow Mrs Armor, an extra, half.crown on account of the trouble she had with Beyers, but to intimate that this waeu only for the special ease, and not to be taken! as a precedent. Mrs Webbe (Lowe street) applied for ration! in lieu of rent allowance.—Mr Joyce sympaw thised with her, and said she was a highly respectable and very willing woman.—This opinion was endorsed by the other members, it being said that Mrs Webbe would not think of asking for aid if she could manage without, —On the motion of Mr Lewis, the request was agreed to. The Secretary stated that Mrs Hills had now got the assistance of a friend, so that no further .help was required. The Secretary asked whether it would be advisable to adopt the ration system that existed in Auckland and other places, but Mr Lewis pointed out that it uotfld not be' made applicable to the oiroumstanaaa in this district.