CHARITABLE AID METLLODS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11790, 13 January 1904, Page 5

CHARITABLE AID METLLODS.

COMMENTS BY ME W. R. iiASELDEN, A maintenance case occupied the attention of Mr W. B. Haselden, S.M., yesterday in the course of -which, it was stated'that the mother had been unable to secure support from her sons, and the Cnaritable Aid Board would not assist the mother on the ground that she had sons who were legally bound to do so. In consequence the woman, was in a state of pitiful poverty. Mr Haw Men eaid he had been told that people could actually starve, for the Charitable Aid Board refused relief where applicants had relatives who had refused to contribute to their support. He could not understand it. Mr Donnelly, who was engaged in the case under investigation, replied that that was the practice of the- local Charitable Aid Board.

Mr Haselden pointed out that what the Boa.rd should do would be to give the necessary aid and afterwards proceed against the persons logally liable. Mr Donnelly said that the Charitable Aid Board should appoint a solicitor to do that work for them.

Mr Haselden said it was alleged, he could hardly believe it actually occurred, tliat the destitute person was absolutely allowed to starve while the experiment of endeavouring to get money from their relatives was being made. Mr Donnelly said he had known of cases where people in the most' indigent circumstances had, for tliat reason, been refused assistance by the Charitable Aid Board.

3lr Haselden pointed out that everybody contributed heavily to the Charitable Aid Board, adding that it was no use building palaces if bread was refused to tie starving. After some further discussion a suggestion mady by Mr Haselden was adopted, that, pending the h«i<ring of the case, which was adjourned, some arrangement might be arrived at und-er which the Charitable Aid Board would see that the woman was kept from starving.

Roses —The latest novelties, including "■Mrs B. B. Cant," ''Boadicea," "General Gallien," "Lady Battersea," ''Papa Reiter,' "Robert Scott," "Mildred Grant," "Duchess of Portland." etc., obtainable from Ninuno and Blair, Dunedin.—(Advt.)