The Good Samaritans

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7470, 22 May 1934, Page 7

The Good Samaritans

Splendid Work of Relief Committee YEAR’S WORK IN REVIEW A ■ wonderful record of altruistic work is contained in a report of the activities of the Palmerston North Central Belief Committee for the year ended March 31, 1034. Brought into operation for the purpose of affording relief to unemployed in the city, it will bo apparent that the committee has done its job most thoroughly and its efforts have been whole-heartedly backed up by citizens and farmers of the surrounding district. The generosity of the people is something to marvel at and it has enabled the committee to do a noble work in the relief of distress for nearly three years. Organised as one relief comimttec, the churches) and philanthropic institutions of the city have done their share in the work of relief and there has been an entire absence of overlapping. This is an admirable idea and accounts for the maximum relief being given in all cases. There have been many large and small organised efforts, the report adds, to raise funds during the year under review and without exception every one has resulted in an addition to the funds, borne, indeed, have been particularly successful, notably the Queen Carnival and the Charity Ball. Here again the line resuu is due firstly to the work of those promoting the functions and secondly to the public for their patronage. It may be of interest to know that the finances of the committee are subject to Government audit. Where large sums are involved it is only right that the public should know that there is a proper audit. ltations: The rations issued from the food depot during the 12 months ended March 31, 1934, total 23,140, fluctuating from 372 weekly in May, 1933, to 492 weekly in November, 1933, and averaging 445 rations weekly for the period. Milk: During the seven months ending in December, 1933, an average of 75 families of young children were daily supplied with fresh milk. Boot reapirs: During the year G 55 pairs of boots and shoes were repaired at the depot. Duel: A total of 1140 bags of wood were issued from the wood depot. Unemployed women and girls: The Unemployment Board made a small grant to enable the committee to assist unemployed women and girls and the average number of those assisted was 29 weekly. The assistance granted was oy paying room rent and food rations. Donations per weekly parcel scheme: The committee inaugurated a scheme whereby housewives were invited to send along a small parcel of groceries weekly. For a while this was a prolilio source of supply but it has fallen off considerably during the last 12 to 15 months. However, it has been superseded largely by others who have made larger contributions and the main donations are as follow: —Fruit 3798 lbs., bread 2G601b5., butter 54Glbs., flour IGGOlbs., potatoes 11,1231b5., sugar 15551b5., tea IGSIbs., vegetables 2GSG lbs., cheese 109Slbs., as well as smaller quantities of rice, oatmeal, jams, pickles, preserves, etc., etc. Particularly does the committee wish to mention the kindness of one who insists on remaining anonymous but who lias time and again sent to the depot through Messrs Watson Bros., Ltd., a large supply of flour, sugar, ten, etc. Also we would like to refer to the generosity at the Manawatu Meat Co., who every month donated a large supply of meat, and sausages. From the community gardens, the food depot lias received in 12 months 35 tons potatoes, 12 tons peas, beans, carrots aud parsnips, 4000 bunches of spinach and beet. As mentioned previously it would be a big undertaking to total the many lines of food stuffs sent in to the depot. The purchase of rations, clothes, etc., entailed the committee in an expenditure of £3700, the bulk of which had been subscribed by the citizens of Palmerston North, and the committee is concerned as to how funds are to he raised in the ensuing year. Clothes depot: This depot is organised and managed by the ladies ol' the general committee, and is open at regular periods for the purposes of supplying clothing to families. Purchases of boots and clothing are made from funds which have been raised by various organisations for them. The stock is augmented by donations of secondhand clothing received per means of clothes drives and from time to time various organisations send in new clothing for distribution. Here again, the public have been most generous and the ladies have been able to do a wonderful amount of good work with Lite supplies available. No rent is paid for the depot aud the City Council’s action in making free use of the premises is much appreciated. Ia conclusion, the sub-committee wishes again to refer to the generosity of the citizens and farmers who have so liberally assisted those who have been forced to join the ranks of the unemployed. There cud be no doubt that when the huge amount of clothing, etc., is taken into account the people of Palmerston North and district have done wonders in the way of assisting others less fortunate than themselves. The committee places on record appreciation of the comprehensive reports concerning food and other depots, supplied monthly by Mr. Sullivan, officer in charge. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, said he would like to take this opportunity of thanking all members of the committee for the valuable work they have done in the past. It was difficult and perhaps unnecessary to specially mention any individuals but particular reference should be made .to the heaver duties so

efficiently and faithfully carried out from the time the committee was first established up to the present time by the hon. treasurer, Mr. P. S. Larcomb. These duties had had to- be carried out regularly, not in spare time but included in his daily professional work and had had just as careful and conscientious attention as the work which has a financial return. As members knew, the number of accounts to be checked and paid continually and the various classes of accounts that have to be kept up to the standard required for Government audit make this no light task. He sincerely hoped that as long as a Relief Committee was necessary Mr. Larcomb would be able to continue in his present office. As the members know Mr. Larcomb has also attended to all the publicity and reports of meetings, advertising, etc., for the committee, and this had also entailed a large amount of work. He also paid a tribute to the hon. secretary, Mr. K. G. Chamberlain, for the work done by him; to Mr. A. J. Phillipps and E. V. Spear who had also carried out the duties of secretary to the committee. He mentioned the assistence rendered by the aunties of the local wireless stations in collecting peggy squares and to the committee of ladies styled “Busy Bees” for making the squares into rugs. The City Council and its heads of departments were also thanked for the assistance rendered. The wood depot was free of rent to the committee and Mr. W. B. Cameron was thanked for the loatf'of circular saw bench, etc. Mr. J. C. Young seconded the chairman ; s motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Larcomb moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Mayor for his great work during the three years the committee had functioned. This was carried by acclamation. Monthly Meeting. The monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Central Relief Committee was held on Monday afternoon. Present: Mr. A. E. Mansion! (Mayor), in the chair, Adjutant Eraser, Rev. Father Herlihy, Messrs Jv. G. Chamberlain (hon. secretary), P. S. Larcomb (hon. treasurer), J. C. Young, A. A. Langley, R. Hood, Mesdaiues Mansford, Aitchison, Palmer, Mhaw and Trask. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. J. Graham, B. J. Jacobs, K. L. C. Aitehison, R. S. Abraham and J. A. .Nash, M.P., and Mcsdumes Sinclair and Hayward. The officer in charge of the depot in Church street reported on the -four weeks ending May -1, 193*1, as follows: Rations issued totalled PSOfi, or an average of 451 weekly. Bread: 8728 loaves were purchased while 133 were donated by Messrs Huntly and Cooper, Meadley and Gardner and Boniface Bros. Butter: 9301b5. were purchased. An anonymous donation, per Watson Bros., Ltd., was received consisting of 2001 bs. flour, 1401 bs. sugar, 141bs. tea and 71 bs of creamota. From the community gardens SSOOibs. of potatoes and 5401b5. mixed vegetables were received. Messrs Owtram, Persson, Cadwallader and Dalrymplc and others sent in vegetables and apples. Accounts totalling £2lB 2s 2d were passed for payment. . The committee deplored the fact that despite the resolutions passed at the recent public meeting protesting to the enforcement of the sustenance week in Palmerston North that the Unemployment Board had brought it into operation. Charity Ball: It was decided fo call a meeting on Tuesday, May 29, at 7.30 p.ro. to arrange for the forthcoming Charity Ball.