ELTHAM DISTRESS RELIEF

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 28 May 1932, Page 4

ELTHAM DISTRESS RELIEF

DEPOT 1 TO BE OPENED. HELP FOR WINTER. MONTHS, A meeting of representatives of churches and local societies convened by the Mayor of Eltham (Mr. I. J. Bridger) was held on Thursday evening for the purpose of considering the matter of relief for those requiring assistance during the winter months. The following representatives were present: Presbyterian Church. the Rev. Ryburn; Methodist Church, the Rev. Coatsworth and Mrs. Reakes: Church of England, Mrs. Landston and Mrs. Linnell; Salvation Army, Oapt. Creighton and Mrs. T. H. Jenkins; Red Cross Society, Mesdames Valentine and Gubb; W.T.C.U., Mesdames Holland and Penhall. The Mayor and Mayoress were also in attendance.

The Mayor explained' the purpose of the meeting and said that the need for assistance in the town was even more necessary than last winter. There were approximately 150 on the unernplayed list and no relief worker was receiving his full allocation owing to the insufficiency of the money available. Many married men with small families were receiving only £3 15s a month. No argument *was necessary to convince the meeting that it was impossible to provide all the necessities of life with such a small sum and it became necessary to- render some assistance. He had secured about 50 carcases of mutton from tlio Government to be spread over four months. All the members endorsed the Mayor’s remarks and stressed the need to provide help in the way of food and clothing. Capt. Creighton moved and Rev. Coatsworth seconded: ‘‘That this representative meeting of the various churches and societies form itself into a town and district relief committee, to function during the months of June. July, August and September.” The motion was carried unanimously. It was decided to open a depot on Saturday, June 4 and thereafter on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10.30 to 3.30 and that each church and so"ivty take its turn at the depot. The W.T.O.U. will have charge for the first week.

' It was provided that all applicants for relief must secure an order from the Mayor.