SOLDIERS' WIVES AND CHILDREN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 670, 10 February 1864, Page 6

SOLDIERS' WIVES AND CHILDREN.

PUBLIC MEETING AT AUCKLAND

(From the " New Zealander.*')

A meeting on the important subject of alleviating the distress which exists among the wives and children of the soldiers now in this country, was held in the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce,. Fort-street, yesterday afternoon. On the motion of Mr J. A. Gilfillau, his Honor the Superintendent took the chair.

The Superintendent opened the meeting by reading the advertisement convening it. He then adverted to the difficulties experienced" by soldiers' wires in procuring dwellings. He said that though the meeting was not very numerous, the thinness of- attendance did not arise from any lack of sympathy with the cause on the part of the people of Auckland, who he felt assured, had the cause at heart. He then called on Mr H. Gillfillan to move the first resolution.

Mr H. Gilfillan, in moving the first resolution, which was to the effect " That the distress which exists among the wives and children of the soldiers is such as to* call for public sympathy and aid," proceeded to state that the number of women was 376, of children 500. He had made strict enquiries as to the daily allowance of rations to the women and children. He found that the allowance given out to the women was half a pound of bread and hal a pound of meat. To the children, quarter of a pound of bread and quarter of a pound of meat. Those women who were not accommodated in the barracks received 6d per day for lodging money; those in barracks had not this allowance. Soldiers' wives generally could supplement their allowance by taking in-washing, but where there were so many, nothing could be done in this way. The men could do little or nothing to assist them, as the strictest frugality only enabled them to | save about 12s 6d a month. He (Mr G.) mentioned haying visited one house in which four women and eleven children were residing. They got about one day's work in the week, but could not take in washing as they had no ground for drying. They kept the place clean, but were obliged, even if they went without a meal, to burn a candle all night in order to keep the rats away from the children. He proceeded next to discuss the means of relief. He said that an extra ration of bread and an extra ration of groceries to 100 of the most necessitous of the women, and 300 o the children, would cost L 3 per day, and that would be a heavy drag on their resources. The women said that if they could get a little help, they would di their best to help themselves. The providing of lodgings for those who were not in barracks would be a great assistance. He suggested that the use of the Immigrant Barracks in Freeman's Bay should be obtained for them, and that some schemes should .be originated for building on economical terms. He concluded by saying that the distress was undoubted, and they must do all in their power to alleviate it. The knowledge that they were doing something would greatly comfort and encourage the husbands of these women.

Mr King thought that this was a matter not of charity but of duty, for it was their duty to do all they could for the families of the men who were fighting for them. He proposed that a committee be formed of the following gentlemen, to carry out the intention of this meeting, viz.:—

Chairman—His Honor the Superintendent ; the hon. Mr Fox; the hon. T. Russell; the hon. T. Whitaker; Messrs IT. de Burgh Adams, W. Baker, A. Beveridge, J. T. Boylan, F. Brookfield, W. Buckland, D. Burn, J. 11. Burnside, S. Cochrane, H. Coolahan, R. J. Creighton, W. C. Daldy, C. Davis, P. Dignan, J. C. Firth, J. A. Gilfillan, H Gilfillan,* D. Graham, G. Graham, W. Grahame, John Grigg, T. H. Hall, H. Hardington, C. A. Harris, W. Harrison, J. TV. Harrop, H. Isaacs, S. Jackson, Morton Jones, A. Kennedy, A. Kerr, E. King, T. C. Law, R. B. Lusk, J. S. Macfarlane, Thomas Macfarlane, T. Mackay, G. Matson, W. Motion, D. Nathan, J. Newman, L. O'Brien, J. O'Neill, G. B. Owen, G. P. Pierce, D. Pollen, J. Rattray, TV. Rattray, R. Ridings, J. Roberton, J. Salmon, J. Smart, S. H. Smart, C. Stephenson, D. B. Thornton, R. Waterston, G. Webster, John Williamson, TV. C. Wilson, and J. Woodhouse.

The seconder of Mr King's motion proposed also the formation of a Ladies' Committee. He said that very great praise was due to the highly-esteemed lady (Miss Cherry) for the earnestness with which she had taken this matter up.

The Superintendent approved highly of the proposed list. • , Captain Butler spoke to the extent of distress existing. He thought that a part of the three million loan might well be applied to this purpose, as that loan was designed for the general object of suppressing the rebellion. He never saw a Maori in the streets of Auckland in distress. They were always well cared lor. Why should our own people be treated with less tenderness ? He moved, " That a subscription list be opened, and lists placed at the Banks."

The Superintendent said that the Provincial Council had given L2OO to this cause, and he had no doubt the General Government woujd contribute largely.

MrM'Farlane proposed that the hostelry in Mechanics' Bay should be obtained for the use of these women and children. It would accommodate a considerable number, and there were seldom more than three or four Maoris there, who could easily be accommodated elsewhere.

The Superintendent said he had no doubt that on due application the use of this hostelry would be obtained. A vote of thanks to the Superintendent, for his conduct in the chair was then passed and the meeting separated, but not before many gentlemen had put down their names for liberal amounts.