CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10760, 13 September 1900, Page 3

CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The Charitable Aid Board met yesterday afternoon. The Chairman (Mr F. Board) referred to the satisfactory report of the Inspector-Gene-ral to Parliament respecting the Board's institutioos, although he made reference to the condition of the old buildings at Ashburton. At the Memorial Home a great improvement had been effected by distempering the walls of the large dining-room, and the thanks of the Board were due to Mr Jamieswi. the builder, for a collection of pictures presented to the institution. The annual accounts had been audited and certified br the Controller, and copies would be supplied to the bodies interested. The Chairman trusted that the Board would appreciate the improvement made in painting and distempering of the BoaroPs offices. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Jamreson.

The Chairman said that the tarn? had arrived when the condition of the Aghburton Hfsne should be taken into consideration, and also the question of utilising the site recently acquired from the Government. He believed that if the proposal- to erect a new home were considered by the Ash-bin-ton Home Committee and the Finance Committee, the Board would soon bs able to determine whether the proposal should be given effect to. He moved—"That the question of improving the quarters at the Ashburton Home be referred to the Ashburton Home Goinn-tittee and the Finance Committee for consideration and report." Tlie motion was agreed to.

The Finance Committee reported that they w_era not prepared to make any recommendation* under the present circumstances with regard to the proposal submitted by the Board's solicitors respecting the Lucas bequest.

Mr Smith stated that nothing could be gained by going to any expense in the matter at present. The Board would not benefit- from the bequest until the demise of Mrs Lucas, and it was questionable whether any expenditure could be. legally made out of the Board's general funds for the purpose. The re;port was agreed' to. The Treasurer's statement of receipts and expenditure was read and agreed to. The meeting thsn terminated.