SUCCESS OF CHARITY EFFORT

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 301, 17 September 1934, Page 10

SUCCESS OF CHARITY EFFORT

Saturday’s Clothes Drive 44 CARS COLLECT VARIETY OF GOODS Though not carried out on such a comprehensive scale as on former occasions, the drive for clothes, boots and shoes, books and domestic utensils for the poor and needy of Wellington instituted by the Mayor’s relief fund in co-operation with the Smith Family on Saturday afternoon bore excellent results. The field of operations was restricted by the exclusion of such populous districts as Ngaio, Khandallah, Brooklyn and island Bay, as these places had been recently appealed to on the same grounds. There were 44 cars engaged in the drive, provided by members of the Wellington Automobile Club, the secretary of which club, Mr. W. A. Sutherland, was on duty throughout the afternoon, directing the cars where to go. k' Scouts and Guides Help.

Each driver of a car was accompanied, by Boy Scouts or Girl Guides, who collected the parcels from door to door, while the owner of the car drove slowly along the street. As soon as the car was loaded it was driven direct to the depot in the old electric light power-house in Mercer Street, where a large staff of men provided by Toe II and others at once set to work to classify the articles. This work was carried on continuously from 2 p.m. until nearly 7 o’clock in the evenThe work was carried out systematically. Large cases were arranged along the floor of ..the power-house, each of which bore a label in large letters—“Babies’ clothes,” “girls’ clothes,” ■ “women’s clothes,” and so on. There were special cases for millinery, several for boots and shoes, and another for coats, so that by the end of the day the goods brought in had all been roughly classified. Then in neat order were heaps of kitchen utensils, garden tools, crockery, pictures, books, and .the hundred and one articles unwanted in ope household, but which may be very much wanted in another. Careful Classification. Many of those engaged in sorting work are men on relief, who have been especially selected because of their knowledge of a particular trade. The staff will commence an intensive classification of the goods this morning. By the time they get through their work, which will take some days, there will be an exact stocktaking record available for the ing authorities. Those goods which stand in need of repair or refashioning will be attended to by the Smith Family. Consulted on Saturday evening. Mr. Secretary Smith said that while the goods received through this drive did not bulk so large as on former occasions, perhaps owing to the restrictions in the area and the lesser number of cars employed, the quality was surprisingly good. When the fumigation, washing, and repairing of the clothes had been carried out there would be a good number for distribution. Of the goods, the Mayors Relief Fund is to receive 75 per cent., which will be distributed through the inter-church’ committees in the vnrioufc parishes, and the Smith Family 25 per cent. Both organisations serve similar Saturday's offerings included a good deal of foodstuffs—jams. preserves, pickles vegetables, soap, sugar and flour. 'These will be distributed immediately.

considered the question of the wisdom of establishing further purely dairying propositions, and for some time had encouraged mixed farming or lainbfattening on a small scale, but under Intensive farming conditions. This type of farming permitted a settler to increase or reduce his activities from year to year in any particular branch, according to market fluctuations. The claims of the small holder had not been overlooked, and a number of sections of about 5 acres each has been provided in suitable localities where the settlers could grow fruit, market truck, and go in for poultry, one or two-cows, and perhaps a few pigs. The Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Wellington district, Mr. H. W. C. Mackintosh, reported as follow: — “The outlook at the beginning of the year under review was far from promising, and tenants, generally speaking, have experienced a very trying period. The poor prices obtained for farm produce during the previous year, particularly for wool and fat stock, left the farmer no reserves to face another year of uncertainty. The wool sales, however, opened with most encouraging prices, and the outlook for the pastoralist has become appreciably brighter. “A Very’ Lean Tune.”

“The dairyman, on the other hand, is having a very lean time, and his returns will pay little more than working and living expenses. Climatic conditions in most localities have been very favourable, and stock came through a comparatively mild winter to the spring in good condition. Rain fell in sufficient quantity to maintain a good growth of grass, so that in the majority of cases plenty of hay was saved for winter feeding. It was no uncommon sight in some districts to see portions of haystacks left over from last season, indicating mild winter conditions. In some localities, however, particularly in southern Wairarapa, drought has again been experienced. Droughts occur in this district so consistently that one is forced to the opinion that the area is not one where dairying can be carried on witli ultimate hopes of continued success. “Butterfat opened at prices which augured a favourable season, but the pay-out was not maintained, and the figure in many cases dropped to 7d. and Bd. per pound. Not only Is the dairyman unable at this price to anything like pay his way, but he Is also not in a position to provide necessary manures for his pastures. In order to meet the position, tlie department lias granted concessions by way of partial remissions of rent or by waiving payments of proportions of milk cheques for a period, so that settlers might be able to provide the required top-dress-ing. Tlie revenue for the year shows a marked improvement, and it is gratifying to be able to report an increase of almost £60,000 over last year’s figures.”