CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9365, 14 March 1896, Page 9

CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

THE ADDINGTON GAOL BUILDINGS. A special meeting of the Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday afternoon. Present — Messrs Westenra (Chairman), Hamilton, Manhire, Board, Peryman, Prudhoe, Chalmers, Rennie. A deputation from St. Saviour s Guild, including the Bishop of Christchurch, Sister Frances, Mrs Cunnington and Mr Bridge, waited on the Board on the part of St. Saviour's Guild with reference to the occupation by the Guild of the Addington Gaol buildings. His Lordship read the correspondence between the Government and himself. Tbe Government replied that they would be prepared to give the use of the building to St. Saviour's Guild uuder the provisions of the Charitable Aid Ordinance, if a separate institution were formed comprising 100 persons subscribing not less than £100 a year. He had laid the matter before the Guild, and be now asked the Board what they were prepared to do in respect to helping them. They would provide workers. The CiiAi_MAK asked the Bishop what class cf people they proposed to help. The Bishop said that they proposed to provide shelter for the aged helpless and indigent of both sexes, for whom no shelter was now provided. .Mr Hastings Bridge said that, dealing only with all the cases which would come within the scope of the Board the cost would be some £500 per annum. This would include the lying-in ward.

The Bishop said that the amount estimated included provision for the women and the co-operation of the Charitable Aid Board. There was no truth in the statement which had got abroad that the inmates of St. Catherine's Home would nob be removed to the Addington gaol buildings. In reply to Mr Perymao, The Bishop said they had worked verywell with the Board in the carrying on of a small institution, and they would like to carry on if possible the work of succouring the sick, needy and miserable in conjunction with the Board. Mr Bridge wished to point out that the £500 tbey asked for from the Board would not mean all the work done. Thia would simply be the amount necessary to deal with the cases which the Board had now to provide for. The Chairman said so far as he understood the proposal it meant that as now they gave some £300 a year for the support of the Female Refuge, £500 would be required to carry on the work referred to. The Bishop said that was the position.

The deputation then withdrew. The Chairman said that the Board had now to cousider the point whether they could agree to give the amount asked for. Mauy of the inebriate women, whom the Bishop had referred to a3 coming into the scope of their work, came now to the Board tor rations. Then as regaided the lying-in cases, the Female Rafuge would not take in anyone for a second confinement, so that the Board had to provide for them. As to the forming of a separate institution, if the Guild did this they could, if say they had some £300 per year collected, requisition the Board for the amount beyond this necessary to carry on the work. It was now for the Board to say what they would do. The Secretary; pointed out that in Otago the separate institutions distributed the relief, and the District Board simply requisitioned the ratepayers. Last year the amount which the separate institutions called upon the Board to provide was £10,000.

Mr Hamilton thought that the best way for the Board would be to give the Guild a subsidy,'and let them manage the institution iv the way in which they were carrying on the Female Refuge. The Chairman said they were in this difficulty, that the majority were of the class whom it was impossible to send to the Jubilee Home.

Mr Ren.nib thought that the Board should bave the control of the institution.

The Chuhman understood that the Addington people were opposed to these old people being placed there, but he thought under the Guild they might be sure that there would be no trouble.

Mr Manhire thought that the Board should not thrust all these old vagrants on bo the Addington district. Mr' Board thought the -.- Board itself should consider whether it could not do the work more cheaply than proposed by the Guild. If ib gave tbe money the Board should at least have a direct representation on the Sub-committee. He was afraid that the £500 now asked for would soon develop into £1000 or £1500.

The Chairman thought that the Board might vote a certain sum for a year's trial ab least. He thought the Board should vote £300 as a subsidy, bub with the condition that tbe Board should be represented on the Committee. He did nob like the idea of a separate institution, because they would find themselves iv the position that the Board was in in Otago.

lii reply to Mr Board,

The Chairman said that the 24s in the £ on contributions came from the consolidated reveuue.

Mr Chalmers thought that the Board should _ot> part with any power whilst getting rid of responsibility. The Secretap.y said that if the Board paid ao much pec head per case for anyone that they might recommeud to the Guild, they would know what their responsibility was. if the immtea would nob stop iv the institution then the police and the magistrates would deal with them as vagrants. Mr P-KYJIan said that the Board wonld have to consider whether the people around Addington would not object. Mr Pkudhce thought that the Finance Committee might well pub on the estimates £300 to try the experiment. If the Guild formed themselves into a seoarate institution they would not be abfe to say how much ib would cost the Bovrd. Mr Manhirk said there wae a strong feeling in Addington against bringing women there at all. .The Chairman suggested that the Finance Committee should place £400 on the estimates to ba used in paying so much per case under regulations to be prepared. Mr PitUDiroE moved—" That tne Finance Committee be instructed to place a 'sum of £400 on the estimates for the purpose of subsidising the objects of the Guild, on conditions and terms to be arranged hereafter."

Mr Peryman seconded the motion, which was carried, Mr Manhire dissenting.

The Chairman moved—" That the Finance Committee be empowered, in the event cf a favourable opportunity present, ing itseff, to invest tbe funds arising from the Eton beauest."

Mr Hamilton seconded the motion, which was carried.

The Board then adjourned,