THE CENTRAL MISSION

Evening Star, Issue 21231, 12 October 1932, Page 9

THE CENTRAL MISSION

METHODIST SOCIAL SERVICE YEAR OF ACTIVITY AND PROGRESS The report of the Social Service Department of the Dunedin Central Mission discloses a year of unusual activity and progress. The acquisition of the new property at the corner of Stuart street and the Octagon by the Central Mission Board of Trustees made possible specialised social service or iar extending inlluence. The premises occupied at present serve merely as a temporary expedient, and ultimately will be replaced by a commanding block of buildings centralising the institutional work of the mission. Since the beginning of the year a capable stall’ has rendered valuable service in ministering to the needs of thousands. During the peak period 1,000 families every week were being assisted, and the number at present is 400 weekly. When it is stated that firms have given goods to the value or £2,000, and that £3,000 in monetary donations has been received, making a grand total of £5,000 expended, some idea wdll be given of the beneficent service rendered by this particular organisation. Throughout the year the officers have been fully occupied in giving counsel and encouragement to many who have sought the assistance of the mission. . . Early in the year it was recognised that provision should be made for the distribution of fuel, arid accordingly arrangements were made with the Government to provide eight men under the 4a scheme to cut down manuka at Maungatua, where the mission had established a camp. This provided employment of a productive nature lor several men, and a further number was engaged in carting and distributing the wood” The necessary plant, electric motor, circular saw, storeroom, etc., was purchased and installed, and a sec-ond-hand truck bought to facilitate the service. No attempt has been made at competitive trading, the main .object being to provide free wood to necessitous cases, and to sell such quantities as would meet the expenditure incurred by the scheme. During the winter a women’s sewing guild has been organised by Sister Lenna, having as its object tuition in sewing craft and assistance to mothers who have, no machines at home. Assisted by expert dressmakers and tailoresscs, women are taught to make garments out of old clothing and garments out of new materials provided by the social service department. The guild meets every week, and is well attended, and at present donations of old clothes or new materials will be gratefully received. At present a staff of seventeen is engaged by the Central Mission Social Service Department, and, apart from those employed under Government schemes the workers give their service voluntarily. Unstinted praise is due to Mrs J. Grant and Mrs A. M Auslin, who, for the second year in succession, have given their time and energy to the work and have sought opportunities of inspiring confidence and goodwill to many people in dire need. Their genial disposition and general ability have greatly contributed to efficiency and harmony. Throughout the year the unprecedented economic position has created increasing demands upon the work of the organisation, but business men and private citizens in Dunedin and throughout the dominion have sent generous donations in money and goods, enabling continuous service to be rendered. Almost every case assisted has been carefully investigated and checked by the staff so as to avoid overlapping with the work of other organisations. The types of cases afforded assistance are as follow : —Aged and lonely people; deserted wives not receiving sufficient- to maintain them* selves and children; temporary relief to discharged hospital patients, who, during a period of convalescence, are unable to work; pensionless widows without children; widows not receiving sufficient assistance to meet life’s requirements; middle-aged sub-normal people whose mentality precludes employment; those in need who are on the No. 5 scheme; and widows with children over the age of the sustenance allowance by the Government, a (Treat deal of very valuable service has been, and still is being, rendered to the community. , , . , The greatest problem that has taced the mission officials throughout the year has been that of financing the work, and iu view of its magnitude it is pleasing to record that on an expenditure of £5,000 there is a debit of onlv £240. It is anticipated that when the’ work of this organisation is known many in the city will be only too pleased as an expression of appreciation and goodwill to send an amount to liquidate the comparatively small deficit. , So far, few bequests have been made to the Central Mission, which for forty-three years has made » worthy

contribution to the welfare of the city social life irrespective of creed or class, and ministered to the temporary needs of thousands. It would greatly relieve the strain of those engaged in this work if those who can afford to do so would apportion to the Methodist Central Mission. Dunedin, a share in moneys allotted for charitable purposes.