BENEVOLENT SOCIETY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22405, 29 April 1936, Page 5

BENEVOLENT SOCIETY

ONEHUNGA ACTIVITIES THE ANNUAL MEETING A reduction in the number of unemployed, together with the establishment in Onehunga of a branch of the Metropolitan Relief Committee, resulted last year in a comparative restriction of the activities of the Onehunga Ladies' Benevolent Society, as disclosed in the report presented to members at the seventy-third annual meeting held 'last evening, and presided over by the Mayor of Onehunga, Mr. John Park. Efficient supervision by Mrs. T. J. G. Neill, who, states the report, is a member of both committees, prevented any overlapping of the society's relief work. This supervision was mainly directed toward the assistance of old folk and others having no available means of support. Owing to the statutory reduction of interest the income from the Canadine Estate was reduced to £lls, but a legacy of £37 bequeathed by the late Mr. Thomas Mcßeynolds and liberal donations of friends enabled the committee to grant assistance to all deserving applicants for relief. During the year some 42 families, embracing 130 adults and children, were provided with supplies of milk, fuel, groceries, bread, meat and medicine to the value of approximately £IOO, in addition to which numerous parcels of clothing, privately donated, were judiciously distributed. Supplementary to these distributions, Christmas cheer was provided to some 40 families, who received gifts of cake, fruit, toys, etc., the cost of which was defrayed from a fund specially contributed by the ladies' committee.

The report states that the general policy of the society, to assist only those not in receipt of any other form of relief, and having no other source of income, has been adhered to. The principal item of revenue was the interest from the Canadine bequest amounting to £lls, leaving a credit balance to be carried forward of £197. The assets of the society amount to £307 in excess of the liabilities, being in excess of those of the previous year. The election of officers resulted: — President, Mrs. E. S. Harkness; vicepresidents, Mrs. T. H. C. Partridge and Mrs. L. McMaster; honorary investigator, Mrs. T. J. G. Neill; secretary, Miss Jessie Bower; treasurer, Miss Eva Bower; committee, Mrs. J. Park (Mayoress), Mrs. W. J. Jordan, Mrs. R. Buchanan, Mrs. A. G. Houldsworth, Mrs. J. E. Co well, Mrs. J. H. Wathew, Mrs. G. A. Black, Mrs. M. A. Straw, Mrs. G. H. Bray, Mrs. F. Livingstone, Mrs. J. Crawford, Mrs. E. W. Forte, Miss Morton, Miss Caughlev; honorary solicitor, Mr. E. G. Co well; honorary auditor, Mr. E. J. Gatland.