BENEVOLENT TRUSTEES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 107, 29 January 1908, Page 8

BENEVOLENT TRUSTEES.

NECLECTED WIVES AND CHILDREN. r A DIFFICULT QUESTION. ' . The Benevplent Trustees met yesterday afternoon.. Thero were present: Mr. Rob- • ertson (in the chair), Mrsl Daryall and Messrs. F. G, Bolton, J. Smith, arid A.. C.. Pearce. Leave of absence was granted to ; tho chairman (tho Rev. W. A. Evans), and Mr. Cook. • , Several matters arising out of the minutes were discussed. . \ : - 1 - • " \ INVESTMENTS. ': Mr. Bolton, referring to an investment,, [ asked how it came about that money belong- ! Ing to tho Board was advanced on a property .which upon salo had realised only the ! amount of the loan. In his opinion, ,appli- : Pow" ca ti° n3 for loans should be dealt'with- by - the whole Board. The Chairman held tho ; same view. If desired, tho minute'relative to the loan could be looked up. Mr. Bolton said it would not be necessary to go into past transactions. He moved That all applications for loans should; come before ; the Board, as a. whole before being granted." The motion, which was seconded by the Chairman, was carried unanimously. . NEGLECTFUL HUSBANDS. Reference was then made by Mr. Bolton , to several instances; in .which husbands would not provide, for their, wives and chil- ;■ . : dron.'j Ho wished to'know if the Secretary i had interviewed the police in regard to eases which he indicated. .■ T The Secretary stated that tho Sub-Inspcc-tor of Police had informed..'him . that no charges had been laid in the cases in ques- : tion. •' ... . . Mr. Bolton: .1 understood that charges had been laid. 1 - ; Tho Secretary: The women said they had interviewed-the police.' . Mr. Bolton: 1 don't-think relief should be granted to wives who will 1 not- take pro- ' ceedings against- their husbands for maiii- ' tcnance. i : shall move that ;"a,-letter be. written to the Inspector of Police' asking whether proceedings '-have nw been taken by the wives in question. Tho Chairman, who seconded tho motion, ; thought that it was a. movo.:in. the, right direction. However, it would,'he .thouglit, not. be a proper, thing to withhold'relief in : such cases. Because a woman,'won't- take proceedings against her husband, we,.should not," he said, " starvo the/children.' 1 ' .. : Mr. Bolton agreed that tho children should not be made; to suffer in such cases. Continuing, he said: "But we have a duty to' perform to the taxpayers. Husbands who.are ablo must be compollod to maintain their . wives and. families, i Children .whom, their., parents won't maintain should- bo. looked after by the Board. There are-a* great many lazy scoundrels who won't maintain ! their wives and children so long as : ' someone .else will." ... . Mr. Pearce: These men have a pood'time.' . They, spend their money on- themselves.... The Chairman: It is the; proper, thing, to: . bring.such .men up to the scratch..The motion was carried unanimously..- • Several' applications for relief : were dealt with,' and the Board adjourned.