THE NEEDY POOR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17882, 30 August 1918, Page 6

THE NEEDY POOR.

COAL AND BLANKET FUND,

STATE FARM URGED. The last meeting of the Mayor's Coal and Blanket Fund Committee for this year was held in the library of the City Council yesterday, the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) presiding over an attendance of twenty-five members. A statement submitted by the treasurer showed that tho receipts were £419 Is 2d, and the payments £271 19s. leaving £147 2s 2d cash in the bank. Tho subscriptions amounted to £348 Is Id, and the balance from the previous year was £66' 10s Id. The sum "1 £123 2s od was paid for coal and £lll lis 8d for blankets. The estimated liabilities were:—Goal orders delivered, 130, £79 12s 6d; 28 coal orders to deliver, £l6 ss; one ton of lignite, £2; total £95 17s 6d.

Sister Grace reported that during the year there were 284 applications, against 334 the previous year. Nino applications were refused. Of the applications gi anted, 131 were from old ago pensioners, and two of those applicants were over ninety years of age. Forty-four cases of distress were duo~to severe sickness. Other causes were drink and inefficiency. This year more blankets had been given to fewer applicants than in previous years, as in some cases the families were large, there being eight or nine children in several. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

The chairman thanked the members for their work during the year, and said that the citizens had complete confidence in them.

Sister Annie moved—" That this meeting views with concern the increasing claim of moral and mental degenerates upon charity organisations, and respectfully urges tho Government to consider the matter of charities and to establish a State farm where such degenerates may be compelled to labour for the support of their families, in orderthat a more reliable sense of citizenship may be produced and a reduction of the ratio of deficient children born of such Barents be brought about." Tho Rev J. Cocker seconded the motion, which was carried unnnimouslv. Those present were entertained at morning tea bv the Mnvor.