UNEMPLOYED- BELIEF WORKS ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10597, 18 February 1896, Page 7

UNEMPLOYED- BELIEF WORKS ASSOCIATION.

THE FINAL MEETING.

Tho final meetiug of the General Committee of the Unemployed Relief Works Association was held on the-30th ult. at Messrs Fergusson and Mitchell's office, and attended b7 Messrs Mitchell (in the'ehair),' Burfc, Bathgate, Chisholm, Kempthorne, Haynes, and the hon. secretory.

The) Hon. ■ TbbasOKisn submitted particulars of receipts «*id expenditure, which were approved. ' ■■■■■". Mr Chisholm reported that the balance in hand of the Benevolent Institution Trustees amounted to £85 19j M, to which had to be 'added subsidy to be received on £30 12s. The following final report to be submitted to subscribers was approved :—

In the latter end of last May Mr John Mitchell had his attention particularly drawn to'the large number of unemployed about the city, and IM that, with the wibtsr close at -hand, the; prospect for theae men, their wives aid families, was a distressing and gloomy one. Realising the necessity of prompt action being taken ia order to deal with the situation he issued .a.circular inviting attendance at Ins oilics to discuss the matter. The gentlemen who-responded accordingly met in Juue, and resolving themselves into a provisional committee appealed to the public through the pteaa for aid-and appointed Mr G. 11.I1. Farouhar honorary secretary and treasurer. The mm of £250 was subscribed in ths room. Tho chairman of the meeting (Mr H. S. Fish, mayor) and Mr Chisholin Were asked to telegraph to the Premier asking if the Government would subsidise any subscriptions obtained.- A'reply was promptly received- ia the aftirraativa. At a meeting ou the Bth June, it wai resolved— " That Mr John Mitchell ba permanent chairman, that Mr Robert Hay be requested to accept the position of hon. engineer, and the mayor anked to permit Mr Miranis (with his consent) to act in concert with Mr Hay." Favourable replies were received in each case. In reply to a letter, the Mayor and City Council promised their cordial aid and assistance. The executive of the Amenities Society willingly consented to give their advice and cb-operaudh. Musara Mitchell, Kemptltorne, ]'atnsay, and Ritchie agreed to canvass the mercantile community for-' subscription?. Subsequently the General Committee consisted of Messrs Mitchell (chairman), Alexander Butligate, Thomas Brown, Alexander Bm-t, Robert Cliisliolm,, Robert Glen.dininir, Charles H«y.ne<, T. W. Kempthorne, Keith Ramsay, T. M. Ritchie, and G. P. ITarquhar^ Messrs Brown, Kurt, and Haynes w«re appointed a nub-committee to interview and Relect applicants for employment The Works Committee selected wKre Messrs Chisliolm (chairman), Brown, Burfc, Bathgate, Haynes, Ramsas', nnd Mitchell. .

The question of assisting mining pirties to prospect camo early under the notice of your committee, and considerable ■ discussion took place and evidence taken, but it was finally resolved— " That, after careful consideration of the whole subject, they consider it would bo outside their functions to devote any of the funds collected to subsidising mining jjarties." The treasurer's report presented at this meeting shows that the amount of •, Ordinary subscrip^ioiM received was £2519 B 10 Dunediri and suburban corporations 191 14 7 £27.11 1 5 Paid over to trustees of Benevolent Institution ... £370(5 7 11. Petty expen3eß 4 13 8 £2ill 1 5 Attached to the report are shoet3 made up from the Benevolent Institution books, giving particulara of work done ond money expended, also details of the usual occupation ot the men employed and the length of. time they'"were engaged. The total numberof men on the work's was 429, and the money expended by the trustee 3of the Denevolent Institution £5159 Is &J. Some subscriptions were paid directly over to the trustees of the Beiievolent Institution, and did net pass through your committee. These, of course, do not appear in the list of subscribers accompanying thin report. . The following are works undertaken and completed :—Queen'a Drive, Roslyn cutting, Royal tflrvace, fencinc; Adaiu's path. Botanical Wardens, Hi?h School, Jubilee Park, Main road. Southern Market. Reaerve,: various paths, Arthur street School, High street cutting* Caversham, New Zealand railways, Doke street reservu, <6c, Maori Hill, metal spreading, hospital, Maitland , streef, Pelichet Bay, seat-making, stone-breaking, trenching and gorse-cutting, Pvobin Hood quarry— at a total cost of £5159 Is BJ.

Your committee desire to place on record their admiration of the kindly and generous manner in which the appeal was met by all classes, and particularly by those who, perhaps, could not ia many cases well spare what they g>.i freely gave. They also recognise thit those who availed themselves of the work offered were, in a large majority of instances, ■ willing, good workers— giving no trouble. The instances of men working in most inclement weather, their behaviour and consideration, for^each, other, and the manner in which individuals, (in sore straits themselves) stood aside to allow those in still greater need, through having wives and larger families depending upon them, excited the admiration of those coming into contact with them. Your committee believe that the movement lias been tho means of greatly reducing suffering and want, which, unfortunately, existed during the past severs winter. The saddest caaes met with were tbose compelled with extreme reluctance to avail themselves of work of this kind, men of ability who hitherto had always been able to obtain emoloyment in the usual channels; ', It was the .earnest desire of your committee from the commencement to preserve the self-respect of tho meu und avoid any appearance of charity beinj> aispented, and would gladly have kept the Benevolent Institution in the back ground had it bean possible to have done so, but the expenditure, of necessity, in order to obtain the Kovercmerifc subsidy, had to pass through the Benevolent Institution. It must not be inferred from this statement that the committed have any compUint to- muke or objection to offer to the manner in winch the" Trustees of. the Benevolent lu6titution have acted in dealing with the incu employed—quite otherwise. Your committee recognise with gratitude their indebtedness to Mr Chtsholm and trustees for their invaluable assistance, particularly the former, on whom fell the heaviest portion of tbo work on committees. The thinks of the association are due to those who so generously gave much time at the sacrifice, of their own business during the past five months, notably Mr Robert Hay, for surveys and engineeerin? required in laying out the works ; as nlso to Mr Miram*, city engineer, for cordial aid and services cheerfully given- at all times ; alao to Mr M'Gregor, chairman of City Reserves Committee ; to Air Matthews for assistance in horticultural and other muttersi and Mr Arthur Bums who, with his usual enthusiasm, Undertook flic work of paymaster. To the Mayor and Oity Council and tho Trustees of'tho Btsnovoloni; Institution your committee feel deeply indebted for their invariable couitesy and willing assistance at all times.

January 30, ISSfi.

It was resolved—" That, regarding the balanos in tho hands of the Benevolent Institution Trustee*, tflecornmitteerespecfcfullysuggest that it should be espsnded as for as possible in maintaining the work done."

It was further resolved—" That the hon. secretary be instructed to write; to the mayor and corporation drawing their attention to the completion of work undertakon by the association, which now passes into tbe hands of the corporation, wba are. entirely responsible for its preservation; and the committee earnestly desire to express tbe hope that this matter will not ba loit sight of, and that the improvements will be maiutained in like good order as they are banded over at present."

Tho Chairman then declared-the association dissolved.