RELIEF OF THE DESTITUTE.— PUBLIC MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2907, 23 May 1873, Page 3

RELIEF OF THE DESTITUTE.— PUBLIC MEETING.

A PUBLIC meetinc was called by advertisement, to be lieid lit the Mechanics' Institute, st 4 o'clock vesterday, to consider the most advisable steps to be" taken for the relief of persons who are in destitute circumstances. The meeting was convened by the committee appointed to move iu reference to the establishment of a Hon.e for the Destitute. Only fifteen person? were present. His Lordship Bishop Cowie took the chair. He explained that there had been two prelitniLarv mreuncs 01 the committee for the pur pas'e cf considering whether a Home for the destitute cou:d be established. At the last of these meetings it was agreed that a niittee ilioulu wait upon his Honor the Superintendent to see what assistance, if any, could be obtained from the Provincial Government. He called upon Mr. Stovin to read the account of the interview which the deputation had with the Superintendent. — Mr. Stovin complied with the request, but as a full report of this interview has been alreadv published, it is unnecessary that it should be repeated.—The gist of the reply was that His Honor was not sure such an institute was required, and tlist if one Wis established, if it was not very judiciously managed the charity of the public would be greatly imposed upon. — His Lordship said that as far as be could

ascertain, the general feeling wbs that the Old People's Home diould be extended. If any one thought differently to that, he j would ask them to express their opinions. He called upon Mr. Broham to give his opinion upon the subject.—lnspector Broham said that, as far as he could see, to start a new establishment, such as the one at first proposed, would be a very expensive undertaking, and then there would be fear of its being"imposed upon. He was in favour of the proposition to extend the accommodation in the Old Men's Home, which be considered would meet the present requirements. It was necessary that there should be an asvlum to send some persons to who had now to"be sent to the stockade. He thought that the Refuge should be extended, and placed, if possible, iu the hands of Mr. Graham, the Relieving Officer, whom he thought was an excellent officer. Everything depended upon the managemer.t in these cases, —if left to

persons who did not understand the claes of people whom they had to deal, their efforts would be frustrated. —Mr. Stovin referred at length to the original proposition of starting a home for the destitute, to be supported by contributions, and was still strongly in favor of it; but if the others thought differently he would be willing to help them in their plan if the former one was coniidered impracticable. Still he advocated that an appeal should be made on the public sympathy.—Mr. H. H. Luek said that they could not close their eyes to the fact that what they proposed—the extension of the Old People's Home—wa3 distinct from the original proposition, and did not meet in any way the cases which the former resolution was intended to establish means to relieve.—His Worship the Mayor did uot think that they could not rely upon the public for voluntary support by subscriptions to a home for the destitute. The present meeting was sufficient to prove the public apathy with reference to the original proposition. He considered that the Old Men's Refuge should be extended and some rooms taken in town, where people who needed it could get a night's rest and a frugal breakfast —the affair only to be for temporary accommodation, so as not to induce those who could work to lead a life of idleness. A female reformatory was also greatly required. He was in favour of passing a resolution urging upon the Provincial Government to extend the

accommodation in tho Old Men's Home, and if the Council did this they could provide a place where people could receive temporary accommodation. —His Lordship the Bishop having to leave, the chair was taken Jby his Worship the Mayor.—After considerable discussion, Mr. Graham was called upon to give his opinion. He said that the remarks respecting extreme destitution were all boah. There were no sucb cases in Auckland; if thero were, send them to liim and they should have relief. He had never been restricted from giving relief where it was really necessary ; but where men were able but unwilling to work, he would not relieve them. The increase of institutions of tbe charactei proposed would be a means of increasing pauperism. He would say, shut the public-

houses, and then they would do away with the cause. If they were to Bturt an institution on the proposed rules, and not admit drunken people, their house would be empty. He was in favour of a house for temporary relief if the inmateß were made to do boiiio work for the benefit they received.—Mr. Stovin moved, "Tbut an appeal be made to the public, to ascertain hoiv far they would assist them in carrying out their charitable objects." The resolutions were carried. The following gentle nen were finally elected as the committee P. A. Philips (Mayor), the Hers. C. IX. Nelson nnd Cornford, Messrs. Biss Postmaster), Hugh H. LusU, and J. C. fctoviu.