HELP FOR SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16357, 11 October 1916, Page 8

HELP FOR SOLDIERS.

GRANTS BY CLAIMS BOARD. RECIPIENT'S APPRECIATION. A meeting of the Claims Board of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic and War Relief Association was held yesterday, the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, presiding, There were also present Messrs. C. J. Tunks, H. D. Heather, F. J. Ewen and E. Phelan. Thirteen applicants appeared before the board, and a batch of correspondence was received from others whose grants are current or have expired, asking for increases or renewals. In many cases renewals were granted for periods extending into several months, . but in one or two instances the applications were declined as, in the opinion of the board, the time has arrived when further assistance' is unnecessary. The new grants made ranged up to £2 2s 6d per week, pending receipt of Government pensions after which the votes will be reviewed. The following letter, which has been received by the Mayor, as chairman of the board, from a recipient of a grant, is a typical instance of the many marks of appreciation that the board has received since it commenced its work:—"l wish to thank you and the members of your board for your equitable and considerate action in supplementing my small war pension as you have done. My son, who was practically, the sole support of my wife and myself, was killed in France fighting for the Empire. His death made a great difference to us in all ways and as I am 69 years of age it is a serious loss to us from the monetary point of view. The Government awarded mo a small pension of 10s a week and as it is useless for me to apply for the old age pension, on account of my having a small freehold property which is over-valued, the action of your board in allowing me 10s a week is a great boon to me and will enable me to face my old age without anxiety. Your help will always be remembered by mv wife and myself with gratitude and pleasure."