BENEVOLENT TRUSTEES.

Evening Star, Issue 8115, 15 January 1890, Page 2

BENEVOLENT TRUSTEES.

The weekly meeting of the above, held at the office of the Inatihition, Moray place, this afternoon. w:is landed by Messrs A. Solomon, G. lfuynps, W. Isaac, J. Green, R. Chisholm, J. Carroll, \V. Brown, and J. Ca'der.

A PERPLEXING QUESTION. The Chaikman mentioned that a benefit concert had been tendered to a woman and the sum of L6O been raised. The sum had been handed over to two Trustees, who had been appointed by those who had arranged the entertainment. The woman had ten children, and was in receipt of a small sum irom the Benevolent Trustees: but those who had arranged the concert had thought that the money was insufficient, and thuß the sum had been augmented. It was a question for the Trustees to decide whether the relief should be continued, or whether now, the woman having L6O or thereabouts, the relief should be reduced or stopped. The question was discussed at length, and ultimately the chairman was authorised to investigate and act. <? LECTIOX 0F OFFICE-BEARERS. . Mr Solomon was, on the motion of Mr Isaac, seconded by Mr Chisholm, re-elected chairman tor the ensuing year. Mr Isaac proposed, Mr Chisholm seconded, and it was agreed that Mr Haynes be re-elected treasurer, the Chairman stating that he had performed his onerous duties as treasurer in a most satisfactory manner. GENERAL. It was decided to allow a woman for whom a subscription had been raised 10s per week. The Chairman mentioned that a considerable sum had been raised for the woman, and the Trustees would keep control over the money until it was expended. An inmate of the Timaru Institution, whose account had been charged against the Dunedm Trustees, had, it was stated, announced his intention of coming to Dunedin if such was not paid. It was decided to pay the account charged against the Trustees, as the case would not be bettered if the man came to Dunedin. ELECTION OF COMMITTEES. The election of committees resulted as follows -.—Visiting Committees ; Messrs Solomon, Green, and Chisholm ; Messrs Carroll, Calder, and M'Kenzie; and Messrs Haynes, Isaac, and Brown. Finance Committee: Messrs Haynes, Brown, and Isaac. THE QUESTION OF RATES. The CnAiRMAN said that he had been looking at the question of rates, and thought that there were several matters which should be considered therewith. They (the Trustees) had been paying nearly L4O yearly for rates to the Caversham Council. Now, under the Rating Act of 1876 the Council had the power to rate them ; but in clause 2 of the Act of 1882 there was provision which he thought might alter the case. In that clause it was stated that any portion of land not exceeding 100 acres which was used for the purpose of containing a house which was a public asylum or hospital was exempt from rating. That being the case, the Trustees were exempt under the clause of the Act; but some doubt existed in his (the chairman's) mind as to whether they were legally bound to pay these rates. It was a moot question whether the Caversham Council came under the clause of the Act. There was a stipulation which gave the Council power to decide whether they came under the clause of the Act or not. Mr Green thought that under the old regime local bodies could either come under the Act or they could make their own valuation.

The Chairman said that was so. The best course to pursue would be to obtain a legal opinion regarding the matter. He had asked Mv Gibson, town clerk, his opinion regarding the question, but no oninion could be obtained.

It was decided to act as the chairman had suggested.

The relief cases were then dealt with