A MILLIONAIRE'S MONEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 303, 20 December 1913, Page 4

A MILLIONAIRE'S MONEY.

It is constantly urged as a reproach against flic rich that they misuse their money, or neglect opportunities to do good with it. But many millionaires have done their best to repay to the community around -them some of the advantages they have secured from it, and a striking illustration of this is the use, to which a large portion of the Ru=sell -Sage estate is now being put through the munificence of the great financier's widow. The Russell Sage Foundation is a private agency established by Mrs Russell Sage in 1907, and 'authorised to employ at least £2.000,----000 in philanthropic purposes. It acts as a central national bureau for 'studying social abuses and their remedies, collecting reports from various special charitable and civic organisations, distributing information by means of its own publications and its library, and giving advice and help for the better management of philanthropic work. Itfl purpose is given in the American edition of "The Vv'orld's "Work" as being "tie improvement of social conditions in the United States by research, education, publication; the establishment, aid or maintainance of charitable agencies; and the deed of gift states that it was not intended to take up work that was already being effectively done by special societies, -but to secure co-opera-tkm and aid in solving the larger and more difficult social problems, and to start movements that would afterwards by carried on either by the Foundation itself or by other societies.

Work was begun six years ago, and to-day a connection has been established with 250 charitable societies, 900 libraries, and a correspondingly large number of Mayors and school superin tendents. There are ten branches, all worked on practically the same lines. The Charity Organisation, for instance, collects and distributes information concerning the various charitable agencies throughout the whole nation, and especially aims at preventing the overlapping of one association With another having the same object. The Department of Surveys draws up charts and maps of the Commonwealth, or of special localities, in illustration of the social conditions prevailing in various parts. One chart, e.g., shows in white and black how one State compares with another educationally under accepted tests of efficiency. Another chart marks in white those States in which usury is curbed by law, and in black those in which there is no legislative check on usurious rates of interest. A map of one special town, Newburgh. showed the relative number of churches, schools, and saloons, and brought out the fact that the death rate from typhoid was double that of the whole State. These maps are exhibited in some public places, such as a largo emporium, where they are likely to attract attention, and to tell their own tale. Reports are . also drawn up by the Social Survey Department in accordance with the results shown on the maps. For instance, a typical report on Newburgh sums up the reforms needed in the town as reorganisation of financial methods, a housing code, better organised hygienic work; reformation rather than humiliation for prisoners; employment of a paid probation officer; more investigation and co-operation in charitable work, with the special object of preventing those receiving aid from sinking into a condition of dependency, and setting families that are in distress on their feet, rather than giving them continuous alms—a valuable hint to all those engaged in charitable relief; permanent public playgrounds and the use of school ( buildings for recreation; enforcement of laws against child labour; an understanding of the Wages Problem, more efficient teaching, provision for abnormal children, and more attention to physical training.

This is a long list, but it is well worthy oi earnest consideration, as it covers most of the meeds and requirements of every modern town. The Department of Recreation agitates for playgrounds and open spaces in all the cities of the United States. The officials of the Foundation have studied the recreation grounds of the States, and also those of Europe, and their results, embodied in a series of reports, are at the service of anyone who takes up the task. The Division of Education deals with questions that vare too large to be

settled by any single city or ggpenimtendent—for example the medical inspection of school children, the training of backward children, and a comparative study of public school systems. The Division of Remedial Loans carries on a crusade against usurious interest on salaries and goods, and its irUluence has led to the organisation of a ee-mi-philan-thropic Chattel Loan Society in Xew York, which has demonstrated the possibility of lending money on household goods at a rate of only two per cent. To-day in twentythree States uisury is restricted by law, and small loans can be negotiated with reputable money-lenders at fair rates. Another branch of the Foundation, the Division of Women's Work, collects data concerning the employment of women in New York, and publishes the facts with a view to legislation. The Child-helping Department investigates.and reports on the work done by various child societies. A startling proof of the need for such an organisation was given when this Department brought to light the fact that in one of the charitable institutions, within one year, eight children out of every nine admitted died, and in another out of 57 received 54 died. The bare recital of the efforts put forth by the Russell Pa<»e Foundation can give little idea of the scope and value of its work. But this brief record of philanthropic endeavour may serve to emphasise at least two important facts— that in the United States the spirit of social altruism is manifesting itself with remarkable activity, and that the enormous wealth accumulated by some of the American millionaires is not always expended in riotous gc]f-induljrence or vulgar luxury, but that it sometimes finds its way back through the channels of charity and human sympathy to fertilise the source from which it sprang.

Following is Mr D. C. Bates' -weather forecast for 24 hours from 9 a_m. th!s day.-—The indications are -for southerly winds, strong to gale, for a short time. The weather will probably prove cold and showery; the night will probably be very coOd. Barometer inising. Tidies good, sea moderate, swell off shore.

At a very pleasant little gathering of the employees of the Devonport Ferry Company, Mr J. Ellis, manager of the cargo branch, was presented with a marble clock on the occasion of his approaching marriage. Mr Adam Nixon, who was called upon to make the presentation to Mr Ellis on behalf of his fellowemployees, admirably expressed the good will in which the recipient was held by all who came in contact with him. He Teferred incidentally, in felicitous terms, to the good fellowship between the men and their employers, which inevitably resulted in the production of the best work.

An interesting ceremony takes place at the Leys Institute gymnasium on Monday evening. A few admirers and supporters of the Ponsonby Boys' Dnim and Fife Band have sutKcribed funds for the presentation to them of a handsome inscribed banner, in consideration of services they have Tendered in the cause of charity, and also recognising the benefits accruing from this movement. Mr. T. W. Leys (president of the band) has consented to make the presentation. A notice in our advertising columns cordially invites ■ the attendance of parents and friends.

Just listen to this, will you? asks the Sydney "Sunday Times." "Sir Georsre Reid, the former Premier of

New Zealand, is a very big man. On one occasion he delivered a long speech. In addition to being very iong it was very dull. He spoke of his declining years, and said pathetically: "In a t-hort time I (shall have passed away, and will be no more.' "Then the fat will be in the fire,' yelled a voice from the galllery, and the big orator -himself laughed heartily at the -humorous sally."—London "Tit Bite/ Now this is where we gel our rag out. For some few years, apparently, we have been parting with £5000 per ;>-ear for the glorification of a Xew Zealand dead-beat! But tears creep in and smother rage. To think that our only Sir George is not what we have always thought him to be! It's too much. It's tragedy. It's—it's—well it's just the limit. At the same time, we are eternally grateful to the editor of "Tit Bits" -for having dTawn back the veil. Surely Sir George is a dry dog. To think that all these years he had us gallied. By the way, I wonder if the "Tit Bits" -man knows that the late Peter Jackson was at one time Russian Prime Minister, and that Lloyd G-eorge was a well-known La Perouse snake-charmer. Fact — that's where he learnt to grow his hair long.

In connection with the application made at the Auckland Supreme Court yesterday by Mr. E. Mahony for the appointment of a committee to displace the Public Trustee as administrator of a dairy farm at Manurewa in the estate of a mental defective, his Honor Mr. Justice Cooper intimated this morning that he required further information to enable him to determine the subject matter of the petition. The application was in respect to the appointment of the mother and step-father of the mental defective, and it was urged that as they were experienced in dairying, and could devote their whole time to the work, they were more capable of conserving the interests of the estate than the Public Trustee. His Honor desired further evidence from the petitioners as to the financial transactions undertaken in connection -with the property, how they to deal with the property on the assumption of their appointment, and what had been done, and what was being done on the property. In addition, evidence is wanted from the Public Trustee as to what has been done by his office, and what, if not displaced, it was proposed to do; and information as to who has in the meantime been looking after the property. The evidence will be furnished by affidavit.

Tlie public are reminded of the advisability of posting their Christmas correspondence as early as possible to ensure its being delivered before the holidays. The post office authorities have an immense amount of mail matter to deal with a day or two before Christmas, and the early posting of Christmas correspondence will greatly assist them.

During thp customary vacation observed by the Auckland Supreme Court between to-day and January 31st next, both days inclusive, the office will be closed at 1 p.m. daily, and at 12 o'clock on Saturdays. Between Christmas Eve and January 3rd the office will be entirely dosed.

A miner, F. Gloyn, employed at Karangahake, had. two lingers badly injured in the Crown mine whilst riggino- up a rock drill baT. D. Gi-bb, another resident of Karangabake, cut his left band severely when chopping wood.

A maJi named Percy Flynn was driving a four-horse team over tie Mangiiti Bridge yesterday when the irarees bolted down a steep incline. Going round a corner the wagon went down an embankment. The two leaders manao-ed to remain on the road, and 'Flynn escaped •withotrt injury.