GNAWING IMPS OF HUNGER.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 529, 9 June 1909, Page 9

GNAWING IMPS OF HUNGER.

SCENES AT THE BENEVOLENT BOARD. Yesterday's sad procession of those in need of assistance to ke-ap the 'wolf from tiio door seemed longer than the usual one that passes through the board room of the Wellington Benevolent Institution. Most'of them were physically able, but tho scarcity, of work this .winter had forced them up against a wall. A sad story was related of a hale-looking woman who applied for assistance. Her husband had been orael to her (in Australia), So she left him, lind came to Wellington, Sho was without friends in New Zealand, but was' willing to accept any kind of work to help; support herself and three children, one a babv sis months old. She was sent in from Hutt by the Borough Council, -and had been staying in a single room, but the landlord had told her that she must get out by Friday, lie applicant was gnmt-cd rations and a contribution towards tJio rent.

.Slackness'on the wharf is responsible for much of the distress in 'Wellington. An applicant stated that her husband had been out of work for a fortnight, previous to which his wages had been a fluctuating quantity. He had earned £2, and on rare occasions even £3, but at times it sank as low as 10s or.ss. for the week. Ho wae a sober man, and for years had been able to earn his living on the wharf up till lately. Bat-ions were granted. A young man (a fireman), who had arrived from Home by one of .tho New Zealand Shipping Company's steamers, and had been in the hospital for some weeks, applied for relief. He had been given an order on the Salvation Army Home, but liad not looked with favour on life in that institution. Pressed as to'why he had not returned to the Army the day before, the applicant 6aid that there were too many there.

"As long' as there's room for you, that's all you want." , 1 - "■Well, 1 don't liko it."

"Now," said Mr. Trnebridge, "be quite .frank with the board) what are' the Masons you have against the Army? Didn't you say yesterday that they ivanted to'convert you?" "No I" • ' ' » ... - • . "Weill what is tho reason?" "I didn't want to get so low in going." "Oh, is tKat it?" "Yes, I want a job—get me a job!" "We're not here to got jobs." "Well, I won't, go to tho Army. Yon can send others there, I won't go I" With this . Parthian ,&ot lie departed. Another applicant was an aged man, tie son of a one-time colonel in the Imperial Army, who had' charge of a regiment that participated in the Maori war. He was able, hut could not Ret the clerical work which' he was used to, and wished some dssigtanoe to pay his rent. Ho was offered, but refused, shelter in tho Homo, so was given rations and a contribution towards tlio rent.