BENEVOLENT WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 257, 31 October 1933, Page 10

BENEVOLENT WORK.

During the month of September 1719 supplies of food have 'been given out, an average of 00 families or persons per day. Five and a half tons of vegetables have been received and distributed. Each day new cases apply for food, their reasons for doing so being many and varied. A child is sick so medicine hae to be purchased; a removal because the rent has not been paid, or because an opportunity for securing a house with a lower rental has been taken advantage of by the relief worker, whose pay allows so little for emergency. Even to have a pair of boots repaired seems to leave the family short of food. The mission workers are particularly ehort of boots, shoes and underwear for women and children. The quantity sent in is not nearly sufficient to meet the need and the expectant mothers and their babes to come are a cause of much concern. Many hours have been spent daily in visiting the sick and in investigating doubtful cases. They find that the aged sick men living on the sustenance become run down and are frequently ill. They send for the social workers, who find them living in a bach or in a room in a basement, or in an attic. They_ are compelled to take up their abode in these out-of-the-way places because of their low rental. They are thankful' that it is possible to give some extra food and a word of cheer. Patients in hospital have been visited each week during the month, the women in the prison and infirmary once. The Bible class girls do excellent work visiting folk in the infirmary and their contact gives the aged' much pleasure. These young people also render happy service by serving the men's breakfast on Sunday mornings. The mothers' meetings continue to 'be well attended. They have been addressed by very able speakers, the Revs. R. E. Evans and F. B. Barton. The afternoon tea has been , served during the month by the ladies from Mount Albert and St. Luke's Churches. The interest in our girls' club has been well maintained and although many of the girls have other engagements, practising , for their inter-house sports, or working overtime, their interest has not flagged and the attendance has averaged 65 per night.