OUTDOOR BELIEF.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5256, 22 May 1895, Page 3

OUTDOOR BELIEF.

The Charitable Aid Committee reported that since the Board last met, the practice of issuing rations from the Board's own store, direct to local recipients, had been adopted and appeared to afford general satisfaction. The goods, which were limited to a certain range j of necessary articles, were received in bulk from the wholesale contractor, and made up into retail quantities on the premises, thus enabling the quality to be inspected ; besides which the Board might now be assured that receipients obtain exactly what it is intended they shall get. In order to show the quantity of Btores handled, the following li«t was submitted of supplies actually distributed during the four weeks ended Saturday, May 20, viz. :— Bread 75581b8, potatoes 19} sacks (nearly 40001 b). sugar 37521 b, tea 8451 b, oatmeal 11311 b, flour 27671 b, rice 8461 b, syrup 960<b, salt 3361 b, soap 8841 b, candles 7621 b, and matches 13 gross small boxes. Owing to the storekeeper's sudden and severe illness, temporary arrangements had necessarily been made for the somewhat onerous work of this new department. Thecommittee.in accordance withthe Board's direction, had selected a married woman for the office of assistant inspector, and had appointed Mrs Carpenter to the position, subject to confirmation of its action. The list of outdoor recipients had increased very much, and the number was now the highest, on record in the Board's register, being 507 cases, comprising 1724 persons, relieved in April, as against 460 (1499) for March ; and showing an increase as compared with April of laat year of 79 cases, totalling 325 more personß. The report was adopted. FINANCE.

The Treasurer reported receipt of the following contributions from local authorities since the last meeting of the Board :— (l)On account of the year ended March 31— Waipara Eoad Board, £217 16s; Mandeville-Bangiora Eoad Board, £77 19a sd. Also (2) on account of the new financial year— Ashbur ton County Council (two months' instalments), .£157 9s Id ; Akaroa County Council (two months' instalments), JBSO ss ; Kowai Eoad Board (two months' instalments), .£2l 17s sd; Christohurch City Council (one month's instalment), £69 15a 9d; Weßt Eyreton Eoad Board (the year's payment in fall), £50 14s lid. The meeting then terminated.

The Pope has been studying the problem bb to whether priests should be permitted to ride bicycles. Leo XIII. has decided that it is not decent for priests thus to desecrate their high calling. In particular it is not right, he declares, that the viaticum should be carried to a dying patient on the gliding wheel, even when no other means are available to enable the priest to arrive in time. London in very truth is a city of contrasts, and in nothing so much as its poverty and wealth. It is, therefore, perhaps scarcely to be wondered at that while poverty although seldom seen by West Enders is bo prevalent, there are to be found men who will smoke cigars that cost ten shillings each. This was the price that was paid recently by a company of six young men, not one of whom had a hair on his face, at a well-known City restaurant.

The World's blind are computed to number about one million — about one sightless peison to every fourteen hundred inhabitants.