BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION TRUSTEES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10171, 4 October 1894, Page 4

BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION TRUSTEES.

The regular weekly meeting of the BtHevolenf; Institution Trustees was held yesterday after, noon, and was attended by Metsrs Roberta (chairman), Haynes, Gourley, Solomon, Dallas, Isaac, and Swan. Accounts amountisg to £46S 4s were-paased for payment. ; ..' '■ . The ont-door relief showed that for the month of September the number of cases was 4i6, reprfri Benting 168 men, 358 women, and 967 .children. The cost was £135 b's per week. For the corresponding month last year the number, of cases w«» 425, representing 165 men, 376 women, andl 928 children : the cost being £126 8s 6d per week.

The total number receiving relief was 1413, against 1353 for last year. . Mr .Solomon asked how the trustees stood with regard to the requisitions, and was informed that they were overdrawn about £400. He pointed out that only half the year had gone. The Chairman said he did not know whether: the trustee*'could see any way to economise, Ha did not see that they could do anything. The Secretary reported that Wni. Trainor die 4 in the institution on the 27th of last month. The Secretary of the Pelichet Bay Improvement Cemmittee wrote that they were now in a position to commence operations, and asked .the trustees to appoint a representative to act with them in carrying on the work. The treasurer also wrote! forwarding a cheque for £163 3s 6d. The Chaibman asked if the trustees wera willing that thia money should be paid intothe funds of the institution to secure the subsidy, without them having a say as to who should be eniplsyed on the works. They knew how difficult it was to make out who was deserving and who not. He had seen tbe list of names of applicants,' about 120 in number, and there were some who could not be considered as deserving at all. One man put himself down ss being the father of five young children, whereas he had only one,, grown up. He considered that the trustees weTfl responsible for seeing that the money was spent properly, and suggested that the course they nhould adopt was to say that they were willing to take the money to get it subsidised if the seleo tion of the men was left to the discretion of the trustees. They would be failing in their duty as trustees if they did not see that the proper persons were employed. There were about six on their books who would be fit to do the work.

Mr Goukley said there were only about 40 men wanted altogether. An opinion was expressed that the public and the City Council, who had contributed, should have some say in the matter, and one of the trustees expressed' himself that the committee were simply using the trustees for the purpose oi , obtaining the subsidy. it was eventually decided that the chairman oi treasurer and Mr Haynea be appointed to attend the meeting to be held on Monday; ilr Solomon urging that tbe trustees should insist that the; have the selection of the mea.

I In connection with an anonymous communication it was mentioned that with regard to a report that certain children who were boarded out were being illtreated, steps had been taken to inquire about the matter, and it had been feund that there was no foundation in the report. It was also incorrect that the children did not attend school. The Chairman mentioned that the inspector had reported that there were some children who were boarded out who were not being properly attended to, but they would be looked after.

The relief cases were then taken into consider* ;ioc.