FEEDING THE POOR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17097, 21 February 1916, Page 10

FEEDING THE POOR.

INCREASED COST OF RELIEF. The information disclosed at the last meeting of the "Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board concerning relief to the poor, prompted a "Lyttelton 'rimes" reporter on Saturday, to .seek information on the subject locally. According to the Wellington statement, fewer persons had been relieved during the period covered by the report (twelve months) than during the preceding twelve months, but the food bill had been higher, owing to the increased cost of commodities. tood! distributed in Wellington city had cost £792 16s 7d, or an increase of £62 is 3d over the year, with fewer months to feed. The average cost of rations last year was 2s si-d, as against 3s 0-|d for this year. Unfortunately, no dates were mentioned! in the newspaper account, and it is not here possible to say how many months are included in " this year's rt report. The year's report niav have been up to September last, in which case the 3s o*d ration would have reference to relief dispensed since then. Mr H. B. Sorensen and Mr W. b. Wharton (secretary) of the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, were questioned, and, from their replies it would' appear that the position was much the same in Christchurch. A little less actual relief had been granted, but the cost had been higher. Mr Wharton could not at the moment give details, but he stated that during the 1913-1914 year the relief expenditure -was £3206, for 19141915 it was a little less, namely, £3225; but the estimated figures for 1915-1916 were £3500. Owing to the increased cost of food monetary allowances for Telief had been made larger by tiie hoard'. Ho estimated that there was an all-round increase of from 20 to 2o per cent in cost entailed in relief to the poor.