WINTER DISTRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 124, 28 May 1935, Page 10

WINTER DISTRESS.

APPEALS FOR HELP. We have received appeals for-help to combat winter distress in Auckland from Sister Esther, of the Auckland Presbyterian Orphanages and Social Service Association, in which is incorporated the Presbyterian City Mission and the Mission to the Aged, the Sick and the Needy, and from Major Annie Gordon, of the Salvation Army. Sister Esther writes: "The number of new poor continues to increase. There are those who for long years have enjoyed salaries sufficient to procure for their families all reasonable comforts, but now who are faced with unemployment. They have parted with their furniture piece by piece, and have moved repeatedly into houses smaller and yet smaller, trying to keep out of the poorer localities. Finally the time ' comes when these people are themselves almost without furniture, living in one or two rooms, the spirit well-nigh crushed out of them. Living as we do on the outskirts of the poor neighbourhoods, and keeping continuously in touch with them, we can assure you that depression and want are real factors in our midst to-day. To help one requires to have gifts wherewith to cheer the halfdespairing people who call at our office, to send them away heartened and encouraged. A pair of shoes that will not leak will do this; a parcel of nourishing food; some suitable garment to replace the shabby clothing. "At 8 a.m., when ou* depot is opened, the children are already there waiting for bread and vegetables—their food supply for the day. Their need for school clothing, shoes and topcoats is pitiful; and many arc suffering from malnutrition. We have no blankets, no garments for mothers, wee babies and tiny tots; no children's shoes, no men's clothing. During the past four weeks the average number of needy people who have been helped is fi,'s per day. As winter advances the calls will naturally increase. Our address is 11, Picton Street."

"The generosity of the Auckland public has made it possible for us to meet many urgent demands for relief during past months, and we are grateful to all who have helped us so splendidly with gifts of money and kind," writes Major Gordon. "May I make a further urgent appeal for kind help once again. For the past six months the calls for help number 3044. and interviews 1214, homes visited 421. Sad stories of hardship have been listened to. and cases investigated. The need for extra firing r»nd blankets is a very urgent one. and so I appeal once again on behalf of the many poor homes and the old people and children, for funds to carry on our Samaritan work among the very poor of our city. Donations and kind will be gratefully received."