CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9993, 24 March 1898, Page 3

CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The adjourned monthly meeting of the Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday. Present—Messrs R. Westerira (chairman), C. J. Harper, J. Hamilton, W. Dunlop, W. Acton-Adams, F. Board, J. Dobeon, G. Wallace, J. Rennie.

Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Manhire, Reid and Boag.

Mr Board moved, pursuant to " That printed of type-written lists of names of all recipient? of relief, arranged in alphabetical order, ani showing the total cose in each for twelve months past, be issued halfyearly, and circulated amongst the contributing local authorities." Mr J. T. Smith seconded the motion, which evoked discussion, in which the country members expressed their opposition, as such a list would fail to show the recipients in the several districts. The motion was lost.

The Kowai, Eyreton and Amberley Road Boards, and Ashburton Borough Council, wrote supporting the Board in opposing the establishment of the Samaritan Home as a separate institution. The Sumner Borough Council wrote supporting the Samaritan Home.

The Ashburton Home Committee reported that it has recently held a meeting at the Old Men's Home and thoroughly inspected the premises, noting with satisfacfaction the various improvements which hare been effected since the change of management, greatly to the comfort and convenience of the aged inmates. The Committee has engaged the services of Mr A. Reade as cook.

The report was adopted. In submitting the estimates of requirements for the ensuing year, the Finance Committee was enabled to report that the expenditure for the twelve months ending 31st inst. had been kept within the sums voted last March in almost every department. "Ife will be necessary to make due provision for additional requirements for maintenance of inmates to be admitted to the Queen's Jubilee Memorial Home as soon as the new building is ready for occupation. Under some heads the Committee proposes a reduction of the amounts likely to be required as compared with last year's vote, but recommends that a wider margin be allowed for possible contingencies. The balance of estimated funds in hand as at 31st March, will admit of carrying out the project for improving the present accommodation at the Armagh street premises, subject to the City Council's building regulations. Tenders for the work are svbmitted herevith. Your committee has considered applications for increase of salary from the junior clerk and cadet in the Board's office. In the former case, the Committee, whilst recognising that the officer in question is worthy of, and might satisfactorily occupy a better position, cannot see its way to incur further expense for clerical assistance, but at the same time is prepared to recommend that the cadet's salary be limited to £26 per annum." The report was adopted.

The Charitable Aid Committee, in reviewing the past work connected with the administration of outdoor relief, asked the Board to favourably consider the position of the present enquiry officer and inspector of cases under relief; and recommends that the salary be fixed at £100 per annum. The Committee also recognises that the storekeeper is entitled to payment at the rate of £75 per annum.

The report was adopted. The Board proceeded with the consideration of the estimates, which were adopted as recommended by the Finance Committee. It was decided to allocate the sum of £6778 for collection from the contributing bodies for the year 1898-9. The Charitable Aid Institutions and Ashburton Home Committees reported having received and considered a large number of tenders for supply of goods, and after careful consideration recommended the following for the Board's acceptance :—Bread (Stores and Memorial Home), E. Franklin ; groceries and paper baas, do., F. A. Cook; dispensing and drugs (Christchurch district), G. Bonnington ; fuel, do., W. White and Co.; interments, do., G. Barrell; printing ration books, Russell, Willis and Aiken; milk (Memorial Home), W. Cooper; meat, do., J. Forrester; groceries and bread (Lyttelton), W. G. Shepheard; meat, do., Page Brothers; fuel, do., C. Curtis; milk, do., A. Edgar;, drugs, do., TJ.F.S. Dispensary ; boots (Ashburton Home), A. Orr; bread, do., R. Bryant; meat, Farmers' Meat Supply; fuel, Tucker and Bean; milk, L. Rattray; interments, Baker Bros. ; groceries, Shearman Bros. ; drugs, Bonniugton; clothing, A. Orr. . The report was adopted. Mr Harper gave notice to move—" That the time had arrived to make use of the Lyttelton Orphanage for infirm and aged persons." The Board then adjourned.