AUCKLAND CITY MISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20863, 4 May 1931, Page 12

AUCKLAND CITY MISSION.

Sir, —The report that the Minister of Health the Hospital Board to grant £3OO to the Auckland City Mission in connection with the mission's ''building project" is not quite correct, the mission having no building project. The grant was made for the purpose of defraying the cost of converting the present " doss house" building in Hobson Street from an old factory to its present splendid condition, and also the expenses entailed in changing over from the premises in Wellesley Street, which had become no longer able to copo with the increased demand for shelter. We had a definite assurance at the time that if we wculd carry on the shelter and change ever to the new premises the expense wculd be the responsibility of either the Government or the Hospital Board, the mission not having any funds for the purpose. Our balance-sheet shows that the doss house expenditure for the year was £2529, which covered riot only the cost of providing 47,227 free beds and 100,251 free meals, but also the cost of preparing both the doss house premises. The receipts from all sources were £2068, a matter of £450 less than the expenditure, and this £3OO grant is merely the belated settlement of the undertaking given at the time of the change over. I take this opportunity of expressing our appreciation of the kindly interest shown in the shelter by the Minister and by the chairman and members of the Hos-

pital Board. Bart Clark, ' Organising secretary, Auckland City Mission.