CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12729, 12 April 1904, Page 4

CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

MONDAY, APRIL 11. Present: Messrs C. H. Cranby (Chairman), J. B. Fielder, W. Y. Dennett, W. J. McGrath, H. J. Twigg, F. Moeller, T. M. Chambers, A. E. dull, W. Shrimpton,- J. Spence, Pastor H. M; Ries, Hon. J. D. Ormond, and Dr Moore. CORRESPONDENCE. Mrs Maria Buckmaun wrote tendering her resignation as matron of the Refuge. The Chairman explained that as Mrs Buckmann had desired to leave at the end of last month, he had, after consulting members, accepted her resignation and appointed Mrs Klaus to the position. Chairman’s action approved, and appointment confirmed. S. Johnson wrote that as instructed by the board he had divided the district formerly under his control as almoner into three sub-districts, in accordance with the scheme for the administration of charitable aid under police supervision. He gave particulars as to the boundaries of the subdistricts. and as lie was leaving the service of the board submitted a report on the cases which had been under his charge. The Chairman said Mr Johnson had accompanied the secretary in visiting and interviewing the police officers at the various centres, and had been put to some expense in doing so. —A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Johnson, and the sum of £5 voted to cover his expenses.

The secretary of the Napier Cemetery Trustees wot© slating that he would lay the board’s letter with reference to the acquirement of a new cemetery before the trustees at their first meeting.

REPORTS. The Visiting Committee reported that everything at the Old Men’s Home was in good order as far as circumstances would permit. They recommended (1) that arrangements be made to provide the inmates with fish at least once a week; (2) that half-a-dozen American arm chairs be purchased and a suitable floor covering procured for the female ward; (3) that the passage in the centre of the men’s ward be continued to the front, so as to give greater means of escape in case of fire; (4) that six vugs he purchased for use in the old men’s hospital. The committee had instructed Mr Milne to make inquiries about the children boarded out, and enclosed his report. The report referred to was to the effect that the girls in the Childrne’s Home looked well - cared for, and the matron had informed Mr Milne that they were well behaved. He had also seen the boy Daniel Williams at Mrs Simmonds; he looked well, was well-behaved, aged ten years, and in the Third Standard. This boy was a brother to Harold Williams, who had been committed to Burnham. He enclosed a report from Mrs Simmonds, in which she stated that she had no fault to find with Daniel Williams; he was well behaved and obedient. The reports were received, and on the motion of Mr Fielder it was resolved that Mr Milne be instructed to furnish monthly reports on the children boarded out. HAROLD WILLIAMS’ CASE.

In connection with the committal of the boy Harold Williams to the Burnham Industrial School, Mrs Agnes Simmonds wrote as follows;—“ Would you kindly read my explanation oi a statement made in court by Captain Baker, viz., that I said the boy Williams stayed away from school. I novor made any such statement to him or to any' other person, nor could I do so, as the boy was always pleased to go to school.” The secretary, at the request of the Chairman, made a statement with regard to the case. Mrs Simraonds, he stated, had written a letter to him complaining of the boy’s conduct. He took the letter to the Inspector of Police, and, expressing the opinion that it would he a pity to separate the boy from his brother, who was also under Mrs Simmonds’ care, asked the Inspector to send a man to speak to Harold, and try and bring him to reason. The Inspector sent a constable, who had a long chat with the boy, and told him that he must behave himself or he would be sent away. A fortnight passed, and then Mrs Simmonds came again to him (the secretary), stating that she could do nothing with Harold Williams and that he was cruel to the other children under her care. He advised her to go to the sergeant of police. She did so, the sergeant took her statement in writing, and presumably it was on that statement that the police and the Magistrate acted. He (Captain Baker) then went into the country on the board’s business, and on his return was told he would he wanted to give evidence at the court. Mrs Simmonds’ statement to the sergeant was still in the hands of the police. In it she accused the hoy of being cruel to the other children, of going away when he liked, and of dishonesty. Mr Moeller said there seemed to have been a gross miscarriage of justice. He had heard it stated that the information laid in the case alleged that the boy had been convicted previously of an offence for which he was liable to a term of imprisonment.

Captain Baker said the boy had never previously been before the court on any charge whatever. Mr Moeller said the matter ought to have been brought before the board when Mr Howard applied for the boy. Mr Ormond said the secretary had apparently gone to the police first.

The Chairman said it seemed to him, after Mrs'Simmonds’ complaint about the boy and her statement that he was incorrigible, that the proper authorities to deal with the matter were the police. Mr Fielder contended that the case should at least have been brought before the visiting committee. From what he had heard it appeared as if the boy had been persecuted. Mr McGrath was also of opinion that the secretary should have informed the board of the case. Instead of that the boy was brought before the court, charged with serious things, including an allegation that he had been convicted previously of an offence for which he was liable to imprisonment. The allegations of dishonesty against the hoy were based on two paltry incidents of which he (Mr McGrath) gave particulars. The fact was that the boy was now too old for Mrs Simmonds to manage, but other respectable people were prepared to take him. It was a most serious case, and he could not see that anyone else but the secretary was to blame.

After some further discussion, during which the Chairman said he believed a gentleman belonging to the Education Department was at present in Napier, inquiring into the case, the following resolution was adopted on the motion of the Hon J. D. Ormond : “That the Chairman write to the Minister for Justice, stating that the board regrets the boy Williams was committed to Burnham, as it appears respectable people were willing to have taken charge of him. The hoard requests tho Minister to allow the boy to be returned to Napier so that he may be placed in charge of the person willing to receive him. Further, that the visiting committee inquire into tho circumstances under which the hoy was committed to Burnham, and report to next meeting.” TUR REFUGE SITE.

The Chairman, in answer to Mr McGrath, sail? he had been away the greater part of last month, and had been unable to call a meeting of the committee appointed to report as to a site for the Refuge. He had, however, prepared the following report on the site previously visited: “Your committee visited the site known as Quarantine Island on the 25th March last. The property consists of two islands, partly flats. The area of the main island is about 20 acres. There is a substantial dwelling el ected thereon, and a large number of fruit trees have been planted, most of which are in full bearing. Your committee consider this a most desirable site for a new Refuge. It is easy of access by a good road, leading right to the top of the island, and the buildings could bo sheltered from cold winds. We recemmend that steps be taken to purchase the site.” Mr McGrath said if the Chairman was so busy a man and had to be often away, it would be better to set up committees without him. He again protested against the carelessness of the secretary in not sending notice to the Napier Borough Council that a committee had been appointed to meet a committee from the council for the purpose of conferring on the question. The Chairman said he had advised the secretary not to send the notice, because it would have been quite useless to have done so. The board had no power to purchase a site, and to have held the proposed conference would have been a mere waste of time. The report of the Chairman was received, and the committee previously appointed to confer with the Borough Council representatives were requested to do so and report at next meeting. MISCELLANEOUS. The issue of district rations to the number of 3759 was sanctioned. The master reported that there were now 52 males and 6 females in the Refuge. Accounts amounting to £283 Os Id were passed for payment.