DISTRESS IN THE DISTRICT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 303, 18 November 1930, Page 5

DISTRESS IN THE DISTRICT.

GROSSLY EXAGGERATED. “Tho statement which has appeared in the Press relative to tho cases ofdistress in the Foxton district have been grossly exaggerated,” stated Air J. K. Hornblow, at yesterday’s meeting of the Public Hospital Board. “One statement in particular was not true, and was very annoying to mo and a reflection on this board.” Every case had been brought to the notice of the board and not a single one had been turned down. The Salvation Army and others had approached the board on occasions and had been given relief. In the Foxton district —where the distress case which had been so exaggerated had been —the relieving officer, the local committee and the board had not refused a single case. “We are all trying to do our very best and can only nope that things will be better in tho future,” Air Hornblow added. Air Catley: I read tho case where the nurse had taken the dress from the one child to clothe tho newly horn babe. lam pleased to learn that the circumstances had been exaggerated. HOSPITAL RATIONS. Air J. A. Nash: I would like the secretary to make a statement in respect to tho rations issued by tho board and to ask him whether he had reoeived any complaints as to them being insufficient. I had a heated argument with a certain gentleman recently who maintained that the recipients of the rations were starving. The secretary: The scale was drawn up 18 months ago and when the extent of the ration was determined, the scales of three other large boards in the North Island were taken into consideration. Ours is more liberal, such having been possible as we were able to give an increased ration at practically the same cost. Mr Hornblow: It would be surprising for those people to learn what this board is paying in its charitable efforts and the cost of taking into the hospital of indigent people.