LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ADULT CRIPPLES’ FUND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26540, 15 August 1947, Page 9

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

ADULT CRIPPLES’ FUND

Sir,—ln last Thursday’s Daily Times you publish a statement (by arrangement) of the " Skipper ” Francis Trust Fund for Adult Cripples, and it makes more than interesting reading. Of the £1066 which the statement discloses as having been donated for the year ended March 31. 1947, practically the whole was swallowed up in redemption of a mortgage of £513 oddi plus £416 for salaries and wages. So of the money contributed last year, the adult cripples whom Mr W. A. Francis is so concerned about did not get a very big bite. It appears to me, after reading this annual report that one-man charitable collecting businesses are very much one-man. These collections, as I stated once before, are mainly fed by a yearly advertisement in a paper that circulates through the whole of New Zealand. This advertisement refers mainly to the Carrie-Jacobs Bond Cottage, and locaJ residents at least know that there is never anyone given sanctuary in it. Not only that, this one-man organisation gives employment to a chauffeur to drive him about the country. This in itself must cost, with the man’s wages, petrol, etc., a considerable amount of money. It was only the other day a local resident made me aware of the fact that one of the trustees Mr Francis lays so much emphasis on was a former Mayor of Dun- „ edin. I would definitely suggest that after reading this letter, he, as a trustee, enlarges on the published report, and at least tells the charitably-minded people of his country why the Carrie-Jacobs Bond Cottage is so persistently advertised when there is never anyone in it.—l am, etc. Limelight.

Sir,—Being one of those who put “ something in the box,” I was very interested to see, for the first time, figures from the annual statement of receipts and expenditure. I w4s under the impression that all donations, or at least a large proportion of the amount given by the general public, was to be devoted .to outings and entertainment for the crippled adults of the community, but the meagre sum of £417 from collections totalling £1066 is ungenerous to the point of absurdity. It seems that £7OO or thereabouts is needed in expenses to disburse £4OO worth of "cheer.” I must confess to some amazement also at the extent of the accumulation at the bank and the high value of assets at Brighton. Is there any report similar to one the Children’s Rest Home issues? How many adult cripples receive benefit from the fund and how often? If the number of beneficiaries are limited surely the benefits could be doubled through more outings, etc. Ldo not like my. donations going down the drain in expenses.— I am, etc., . .... Achilles.

[When the letter by " Limelight ” was referred to Mr E. T. Cox, a trustee of the fund, he described some of the statements as ” quite false.” Mr Cox stated that the Carrie Jacobs Bond Cottage was always occupied by cripples during the summer months. Quite a large number had had sanctuary there. The sum for the redemption of the mortgage had not come out of fund 3 collected during the year, but had been provided from the accumulated fund. Apart from Mr Francis’s salary, all the funds were spent on cripples. Mr Francis received £5 a. week, less tax. Last year Mr Francis had been for six months either in hospital or under treatment. This explained why the amount collected was so small, but expenses remained almost as high as usual when a smaller amount was collected. ' The amount ordinarily collected was £2OOO a year, so that expenses were not high In the circumstances.

The letter of "Achilles ” was also referred to Mr Cox, who considered that it did not warrant any further reply to that given to “ Limelight.’’—Ed.. O.D.T.]

Sir,—A line in the Daily Times has altered my opinion regarding the “ Skipper ” Francis Trust Fund. I am afraid I, along with others of my friends, have been under a misapprehension regarding the money being collected by Mr Francis. Henceforth I will not pass him by, but will add my widow’s mite to the welldeserving cause of the poor, crippled men and women who are friendless in very truth but for this dear soul, who sits day. by day in the cold, bleak days we have, with thousands passing without even a look. It is tragic, to my mind, to think of people being so callous and selfish. The £4 10s weekly paid to Mr Francis as wages I am sure does not compensate by any means. But. of course, that does not worry him; he finds joy in helping those worse off than himself. Surely such an effort deserves much more credit than he gets.—l am. etc., Passing By. August 14. [Any further letters on this subject must be brief.—Ed.. 0.D.T.l