SOCIAL SERVICE WORK

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 234, 15 September 1934, Page 3

SOCIAL SERVICE WORK

Much Activity in Napier REPORT OF PRESIDENT The renufications and work of the Napier Social Service Committee are clearly set out in the presidential report, the text of which is given below. “The Napier Social Service Committee underwent a serious reorganisation in June of last year, with the result that all bodies and societies distributing charity were invited to co-operate in order to prevent, as tar as possible, a great deal of o*er-lapping that was known to be going on. The depot at the “Daily Telegraph” temporary building was the outcome of a meeting called for the purpose of centralising the distribution of relief. The depot opened on June 20, 1933, and made its first distribution on June 24. The relief workers’ strike took place on June 26 which resulted in tho depot having a good deal ot work thrust upon it in the first week of its existence. The magnitude of this work may be judged by the fact that we were called upon to provide for just over 100 U men and .their families. “After tho men resumed work, we continued to issue rations to men in their stand-down week until the end of -May ot this year, when it was suggested that a scheme ol selling goods would be preferable to the system then in operation. It was considered that the system of selling goods would assist the men in regaining their independence, which was worth striving lw. “The Executive Committee gave a great deal ot thought and time to this question and finally decided that the system of selling goods was well worth a trial, consequently, this system was brought into operation on .June 2, 1931. This new system was not limited to stand-down men but to all bona fide relief workers every week. Since the inauguration of the new sy stem, we have the satisfaction of knowing that 214 families who had never applied for “free” rations are now availing themWives of the facilities ol the depot. “Tho executive committee held 57 meetinigs during the period under review and these were attended by tile members as follow: —A E. Bedford |3, G. B Young 44. E. A. Wood 39. Adj. H. C Goflin and Rev. C. W. Duneumb 38 each, C. <• Morse 32, R<>. B R. Brierlv 31, W. E Barnard 18. |{. Doekerv 8, It W. Wallace 17, E. Hyde 5. I*. W. Peters 13. Mrs Al. Mercer 9. Mrs C. O. Mor.-e 4, Mrs W. Forrest 11. The attendances oi Messrs E. A Wood and R. Dockery were materially affected by illn« ss. M. -dames C. 0. Morse. M Mercer, W Forrest and Messrs E. Hyde, P. W. Peters and R. W. Wallace are recent additions to th e committee. “Thanks.—l he Committee's most sincere thanks are duo to all *kese generous people who hate helped so

magnificently in our efforts to relieve distress in Napier and District. “ ‘Smith Family’.—The ‘Smith Family’ is now absorbed in the bigger scheme, but donors to the ‘Family’ whom we thank most sincerely for their assistance, are assured that their donations help considerably in providing for urgent and necessitious cases. “Finance. —All funds used by this committee have been made available by His Worship the Mayor, Mr C. 0. Morse, from his Relief Fund.” ANNUAL MEETING Election of Officers The annual general meeting of the Napier Social Service Committee, the annual report of which appears above, was held in the Council Chambers on Thursday night, Mr G. B. Young presiding. Resolutions were passed voicing the committee’s appreciation of the splendid support given by various local bodies, organisers of card parties, concerts, sports functions, the results of which have made finance available for the carrying on of the laudable work. Owing to there being confusion in the minds of the public as to the relationship of the Mayor’s Relief Fund and Copper Trail to the Social Service | Committee and the Relief Depot, it not being understood that they are synouomous, it was decided to change the name of the committee to Napier Mayor’s Relief Committee. All the finance for the carrying on of the depot comes from the Mayor’s Relief Fund. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Patron, Mr W. E. Barnard, M.P.; president, His Worship the Mayor, Mr C. 0. Morse; chairman, Mr G. B. Young; evecutive, the Revs. B. Brierley and C. W. Duneumb; Adj. 11. Goflin; Mesdames W. Forrest, A. MeBeath; Messrs W. Wood, A*. E. Bedford. The Rotary Chib. Red Cross Society, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Retailers’ Association are to be asked to re-affirm their present appointments. ! Tho meeting terminated with refer- | cnees to the fine co-operation given by I the Napier Red Cross and the fullest possible assistance given by His WorI ship the Mayor throughout.