OLD FOLKS' PLIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25216, 31 May 1945, Page 4

OLD FOLKS' PLIGHT

BELIEF IN THE CITY HOT MEALS BEING SERVED Old-ape beneficiaries, both men and women, living by themselves in dingy bed-sitting rooms at the back of houses and in converted basements and outbuildings, have been placed in an almost intolerable predicament as a result of the lack of gas and domestic coal as most of thorn are entirely dependent on a gas-ring for hot meals and an open fireplace for warmth. The gravity of their plight has been realised by welfare organisations in the city, which have taken practical steps to provide the more necessitous cases with cooked food.

At the instigation of the Rev. A. Everill Orr, the hall of the Methodist Central Mission. Airedale Street, was converted into an emergency restaurant yesterday and over 50 elderly people were served free of charge with steaming plates of meat and vegetables. Band of Voluntary Workers The food, most of which was donated to the mission, was cooked on a variety of electric appliances on the premises by a band of- voluntary workers under the charge of Sister Ruth Bennett, superintendent of the Campbell's Bay health camp. Hot meals will again be served at the mission hall today, tomorrow and 011 Sunday. In order to give the women volunteers a rest, food will not be available on Saturday, but .Mr Orr stated that if the gas shortage persisted he would continue to provide meals to those in need of something hot next week at a nominal charge of 6d a head. Help by City Mission

Elderly people unable to do their own cooking have also sought the assistance of the City Missioner, the Rev. Jasper C'alder. Deserving cases have been given tickets entitling them to free meals at a restaurant in Federal Street, the proprietor later cashing the tickets at the mission office. Two dozen tickets have been issued in the last few days. Most of the applicants have been elderly men. The gas situation was discussed at length at a meeting of the Old-Age Pensioners' Association in the Druids' Flail, Newton, yesterday afternoon, when about 80 members attended. It was decided to write to the Government and the management of the gas company drawing attention to the plight of pensioners.

THE HAMILTON WORKS STOPPAGF THREATENED (0..C.) HAMILTON*, Wednesday "If no South Island coal arrives in Hamilton by Saturday no gas will be manufactured next week," said Mr A. J. Denz, chairman of the Gas Committee of the Hamilton Borough Council, this evening. He said that of 200 tons of coal promised by the Coal Controller to the Hamilton gasworks, only 20 tons had been received. The works were forced to use coal borrowed from the Waikato Hospital Board, said Mr Denz. This coal was from the Waikato mines and was not suitable for gas manufacturing. All sales of coke had been stopped, except to the Waikato Hospital, and if coal did not arrive even these would have to cease, to the prejudice of the hospital's cooking arrangements. Continuing, Mr Denz said the gasworks had been promised 50 tons of a shipment 'of South Island coal that was to arrive in New Plymouth tomorrow morning. If this was delivered in Hamilton by Saturday the situation would be temporarily relieved.

HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES NO ANXIETY TN WELLINGTON (P A.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday The State coal depot and other coal dealer* reported that there is little immediate anxiety regarding household coal supplies in Wellington. PRODUCTION OF CEMENT PORTLAND WORKS' OUTPUT (0.C.) WHANGAR EI, Wednesday Owing to the shortage of coal, the cement works at Portland were running at only one-quarter capacity last week, but with the arrival of a shipment from the south the output has now been increased. In Whangarei, little coal is available, as all the production from the Kamo: and Hikurangi mines is going to the railways, with a proportion to the cement -works.