PENNY POSTAL SYSTEM.
In replying to Mr. Seddon, Mr. Johnston said the penny postal system would mean a loss of £20,000 per annum to the Colony, and under these circumstances it was not intended to introduce the system here. MAIL BETWEEN NEW PLYMOUTH AND WELLINGTON. In replying to Mr. J. G. Wilson, Mr. Johnston said that during the winter it would be impossible to arrange for a railway mail service from Wellington to New Plymouth in two days. By the time of Hummer the railway would be sufficiently far completed to enable such a service to bo arranged for, if deemed necessary. "A POLICEMAN'S LIFE IS NOT A HAPPY ONE." Under some order issued from the Defence Department, the constables on duty at the entrances to the House were instructed to stand to attention whenever any member of the House passed the unfortunate bobbies. Being unacquainted with the many new members, they resolved to be on the safe side, und straighten themselves up abruptly whenever any likely looking man entered or left the House. The continual entries and de- | parturee of ninety-one members alone were ■ sufficient to keep the guardians of law and order in a continual fever, but this condi tion was aggravated by tho obeisances to reporters, petitioners, and others who throng the lobbies. Several members hinted to the Government that this business was distasteful to them, and tho painful jerkings of tho spinal column appenr to have been discontinued, probably in obedionce to a quiet withdrawal of the order. j
TARANAKI BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. The annual meeting of the Benevolent Society was held on Tuesday night, and was poorly attended. Archdeacon Govett being Chairman, called upon the Secretary and Treasurer to read the Report and Balance-sheet, which were as follows :—: — Report of the Committee of the Benevolent Society, t» be presented at the Annual Meeting on Tuesday, the 6th June, 1882. The Society has now been formed for three years, and the Committee think that a comparison of the proceedings of the past year with those of the preceding years will be useful. They have, therefore, prepared the following table :— No. of mem. 1879 1880 1831 bers ... 139 91 64 Subscriptions A s. d. & s. d. £ s. d. from mem* bers ...109 13 0 60 11 6 41 11 0 Donations ... 36 8 8 13 5 5 716 2 Relief in cash and goods... 84 7 0 84 0 7 76 11 3 It must be confessed that the comparison thus afforded is not altogether encouraging ; bat it is felt that the diminution in tbe number of members, and consequently receipts, has been in a great measure caused by the fact that the Society was not considered in much need of funds. Now that their capital is somewhat diminished, it is hoped that the subscribers will increase in number. It is a matter of extreme satisfaction to find that the ordinary expenditure has, if anything, rather decreased than otherwise. The Committee think that they are called upon to give some explanation repecting the special expenditure incurred in stonebreaking. The Borough Council, which had hitherto given relief in stonebreaking early in the year, decided to discontinue it, and tbe Committee were placed in a position of great difficulty. They could not refuse relief where applicants appeared to be without work, but willing to work, and, in order to prevent them eating the bread of idleness, the Committee bought stone, and had it broken at a rate of wages that would give just a bare subsistence, and no more, trusting that, in the course of time, the muerial would be used and a portion of the expense recouped. The Committee cannot but regret that the whole question of charitable aid is not fairly met by Parliament with a view to having the administration of relief on the same footing throughout the colony. In the present unsettled state there will always be grievous abuses, and in particular a certain class of confirmed idlers perpetually loafing about from one district to another, endeavoring to find where they can best make a living with the least expenditure of work. In conclusion, the Committee would beg the public to bs on their guard against giving money to applicants for relief without making proper inquiries, &nd would suggest that where there is any doubt as to whether a claim is a bond fide one that the Society or the police should be communicated with. For the Committee, C. W. Govett, Hon. Sec. Balance Bluet of the Taranaki Benevolent Society, made up to the 31«£ March, 1882. BECEIPTS. fi s. d. £ s. d. Balance Mar. 1, 1881 — Invested 150 0 0 On current account atßankofN.Z... 121 13 5 271 18 5 Subscriptions of 10s and upwards from 64 annual members ... 41 11 0 Donations 7 16 2 Government subsidy to June 30, 1881 43 4 0 Interest— £ s. d. On deposit at Savings Bauk to Dec. 31, 1881 4 5 2 On fixed deposit in Bank of N.Z. ... 510 0 On £50 invested on mortgage to May 2, 1881 2 10 0 12 5 2 Refunds 2 16 0 £379 10 9 EXPENDITURE, Relief— £ s. d. £ a. d. Distributed in cash ard goods ... 76 11 3 Wag.es of stonebreakers 44 5 0 Wages of men employed at High School 2 14 0 Cartage of stone for stone-breakers ... 35 2 10 158 13 1 Sundries — Advertiseme n ts, cheque-book, and stamps 112 Interest on temporary overdraft ... 0 2 6 1 3 8 Bal., March 31, 1882— Invested on mortgage 50 0 0 Invested in Savings Bank 113 19 0 Invested on fixed deposit at Bank of New Zealand ... 30 0 0 On current account atßankofN.Z.... 25 15 0 219 11 0 £379 10 9 11. R. Richmond, Treasurer. The Report and Balance-sheet having been adopted and passed, tho following were elected the Committee:— 'Mesdames Crompton, Skinner, Palsgrave, Devenish, T. Humphries, and Miss A. Smith, Messrs. Richmond, Okey, T. Veale, J. C. George, W. Newman, and C. Govett. A circular from the Colonial Secretary, asking for information as to the cost and manner of adiuinintering relief, haviug been read, it was resolved that the Secretary and Treasurer reply to the same. After the meeting was over the newlyelected Committee held a meeting, and elected Archdeacon Govett chairman, Mr. H. R. Richmond treasurer, and Mr. C. W. Govett secretary.
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Bibliographic details
Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 4063, 9 June 1882, Page 2
Word Count
1,060PENNY POSTAL SYSTEM. Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 4063, 9 June 1882, Page 2
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