RELIEF SOCIETY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19959, 17 November 1934, Page 7

RELIEF SOCIETY

OVERHAUL OF SYSTEM The Management Committee of the Central Relief Society met last night. Present: Mr F. W. Fair (chairman), Archdeacon H. W. Monaghan, the Rev. J. Milburn Stewart, Messrs W. J. Smith, R. W. Simpson, J. P. Steven, W. G. Tweedy and R. S. Goodman. Secretary’s Report. The secretary (Mr E. G. Cliffin) reported that while the number of registrations on the roll had shown an increase of 14, the actual number of families operating in October was 55 less than September and stood at 664. The retail value of services for the month was £1275/2/10. It appeared that the peak of the year’s work had been passed, and with the seasonal work ahead there was every indication that the estimates of expenditure would not be exceeded. All services were being maintained with the exception of clothing. Only a very limited amount of gift clothes was available. There was a constant demand for footwear, especially for children. The report was adopted. “It is good to see that the number of applicants is being reduced,” said the chairman, who pointed out, however, that because there were 55 fewer in October it did not follow that the same condition would obtain in November, because men were declaring on and off the Society’s roll as seasonal work presented itself. A statement of receipts and payments showed that the Society had a credit balance at October 31 of £1699, which when accounts amounting to £9BB were paid, would leave £7lO available. The chairman remarked that, with sums to come to hand from the local bodies, there would be sufficient money to enable the Society to operate till • the end of its financial year. After a comprehensive review of the Society’s system of administering relief, with a view to obviating imposition and abuse, it was decided to make a check of the applicants’ statements and to carry out a re-registration of all applicants. Messrs Simpson, Steven, Smith and the secretary were appointed a committee to carry out the work and report to a future meeting.