CITY DISTRESS RELIEF FUND.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1544, 13 September 1912, Page 5

CITY DISTRESS RELIEF FUND.

4 MEMORANDUM TO THE CITIZENS OP "WELLINGTON. The experience which I have lind of recent timesUn the administering of such, funds as the "Penguin lieliof FunU" , money raised to relieve cases of distress - by firo and other funds of n similar, character leads mo to think that probably it is desirable to.have established in Wollington a permanent fund to meet all such ,cases of distress. It is being recognised by tho general body of citizens ns desirable to liavo such sums as are contributed towards the relief of special cases administered by trustees whoso experience iu tlife handling', of such matters , will give, added assistance to tho real .sufferers and prevent the possibility of wrongful direction in the distribution of these funds. Tlie most recent instance of this call for supervision is witnessed in tho action of tho several bodies, who so kindly assisted in. raising money on behalf of the two' widows, Mrs. M'Kay and Mrs. Haudcoch, when they appointed the town clerk anil myself-as trustees of tho fund. It must , inovitably happen that the citizens of Wellington will require to relieve cases of distress from time to time, and whilst they are always most ready to afford their help, it is worth considering, whether it is not more desirable to have euoh aid organised and directed through one common channel of central control than left wholly to sectional efforts, which in somo instances, owing - to intervening circumstances, may be quilo inadequate.. All, I am suro, will have noted Hie fact'that whilst large sums are often raised for ono individual, in another case, which is equally deserving, and probably 'more necessitous, it is found most difficult to gather a very much smaller amount. For the purpose of meeting tho real needs of any widow, orphan, or other person whose caso makes special call upon tho generosity of the citizens I am of opinion that it would be well to establish a city fund mid have same administered under control of n small body of trustees. Tin's general' fund could be augmented from time to lime hy donations from individual special collections, the proceeds of entertainments, and in other ways. For lire guidance of tho trustees, it,might, lie well to establish a simple code of rules defining the class of cases which would come uuder the benefits of the fund, the general lines of treatment to bo followed, and miy other provisions thought necwary. It is most, likely that the establishing of such a fund would-give confidence ..to . thoso. desirous of contributing to the relief of distressed easps, in that the "donors would feel certain of the security of nil donated, and also that Ihe'jiceds'bT'W.h. case was properly guaranteed and subsequently fully attended to. If it is thought desirable, a small advisory committee might bo appointed to assist the trustees in reporting on the cases as they, arise. As a method of inaugurating Iliis fund, I sliall bo prepared to call together representatives of the. various societi. 1 ? in Wellington Hint hnvo previously holped in such meritorious work, and hnvc the matter fully considered at a mcjtini iu my room. My only desire in presenting this memorandum to the public is 1o have tho question considered as to whether wo ma,y not, by establishing: a general fund, afford more assured benefit to thoso persons who have suffered on account of serious accident or disaster, and whom the public will naturally, from a pciipu of humanity, wish to help in their hour of great need. 1 submit this proposal to your judgment for eone'djralion. ,u. i>l laki'jA, Mayor of Wellington.