APPLICATION FOR RELIEF.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1141, 31 May 1911, Page 8

APPLICATION FOR RELIEF.

SOME OF THE CASES. The Charitable Aid Committeo met yesteiday. Present.: Messrs. J. W. M'Ewan (chairman), Messrs. J. Smith, D. M'Laren, tho Kev. W. A. Evans, and Miss SI. Bichmond.

The committee dealt with a long list of applications for relief. Several of the women who, applied attributed their necessitous circumstances to a shortage of employment on the wharf, which had resulted in throwing their husbands out of work.

A woman with an invalid husband, four children at home, and ouo.'in tlic hospital, stated that she was paying 15s. per week rent for a three-roomed house. The committee granted relief, but several members commented upon the amount paid by the applicant for rent, Mr. M'Ewan said he knew of better houses being let at Petono for 10s. per week. "J W a fourroomed house for 12s: a week." remarked Mr. Smith, "and I don't get the rent." Another applicant was the wife of a. fishmonger, 31 years of age, who came, to the Dominion four months ago. The family, which includes four children, received a little assistance in March, but had since been self-supporting. Now, however, the serious illness of the breadwinner had again reduced his family to. poverty. Relief was granted. ''Here is a problem for you," said the chairman, referring to the case of n deserted wife left in unaided charge of u young baby. The committee considered the question of having the child committed to a home. Eventually, however, it hearkened to the protest of the mother against this course, and granted relief in the ordinary way.

An elderly old-age pensioner of respectable appearance—he had lately been working, but was now disabled by asthmawas granted fwe rations.

One case mentioned was that of an old-age pensioner, "Q years of age, living with his wife, 71 years old, and. a sick grandson. The only income of the family was the pension of the husband. His wife, it was stated, would not apply for the pension. She was too proud. Miss Kirk reported that this was really a very sad case. The- family appeared to have been subsisting for some. time upon the proceeds of a piece-meal sale of furniture. There had been very liltle food in the house for four days. The old pensioner had come to the committee vprv much against his will. . .'

Mr. M'Biran f.iid he would like to keep the old people going. At the. sanie time he had not much sympathy with the old woman's attitude towards the oldage pension.

Mi.=s Kirk said that the old lady claimed that her father, a Victorian, had rendered a. very great service to the Government. He had discovered a new method of treating the fungus which is exported to China. This his daughter considered established nn obligation. Hiss Richmond: "Why not take h out in the old-age pension?" The old people were not brought in. Eventually the committee decided to grant relief.