CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6124, 10 March 1898, Page 4

CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

i • A meeting of the Charitable Aid Board was held yesterday afternoon ; presentMessrs R. Westenra (chairman), J; Dobson, A. Chalmers, J. Wallace, W. Prndhoe, W. Boag, W. Dunlop, J. Hamilton, C. -T. Harper, F. J. Board, J. Manlure, and the Mayor of Ashburtpn. An apology was received for the absence of Mr J. T. Smith. chairman's statement. The Chairman reported as follows : — In accordance with the terms of the Act, a copy of the Board's resolution, objecting to the proposed incorporation of the Samaritan Home as a separate institution, was duly transmitted to the Colonial Secretary and to the petitioners, and formal acknowledgment of receipt has been made by the Government. Most of the contributory local authorities have replied to the Board's communication on the same subject, and the Board's objection is generally supported. It. Trill be necessary to hold a second meeting of the Board this month, for the purpose of passing the annual estimates and accenting tenders for supplies before the x close of the financial year. I shall therefore propose that the Board at its rising to-day do adjourn to Wednesday, March 23, at 10.15 a.m. Meanwhile the several committees will prepare the usual estimates of their requirements for the ensuing year, and tenders will be invited for supplies, under contract. SAMARITAN HOME. The Secretary announced that replies to the Board's circular, with regard to the Samaritan Home being appointed a separate rating body, had been received from the following public bodies, the members of whom disappraved of the step proposed. The following is the substance of the resolutions passed bearing on the matter : — Substance of resolutions passed by contributory local bodies on the proposed formation of a separate institution, and the Charitable Aid Board's objection thereto: Selwyn County Council— "Quite unnecessary, and strongly objects to additional burden on the rates "; Ashburton County Council— " Strongly objects" ; Amuri County Council—" Board has full power to deal with all cases properly chargeable on the rates"; Akaroa County Council — "Not in favour of another rating body; hopes the work will be carried on by the Board"; Cheviot County Council — "Opposed to increase of taxing bodies ; would favour grants to Samaritan Home, Mount Magdala, and kindred institutions"; Mandeville and Eangiora Eoad Bolrd — "Heartily approves action of Board in opposing"; Cust Eoad Board — "Objects to separate Board of Managers, with power to levy on local bodies"; West Eyreton Eoad Board— " Strongly objects to proposed incorporation"; Oxford Eoad Board — "Protests against same " ; Christchurch City Council — "Negatived motion expressing disapproval, by 8 votes to 6"; Sydenham Borough Council — " Disapproves intention, and hopes ratepayers * will oppose it " ; Linwood Borough Council — "Endorses Board's action " ; Akaroa Borough Council — "Incorporation of separate institution is not desirable"; Kaiapoi Borough Council — "Supports Board's action"; St Albana Borough Council — " Supports Board's action"; Woolston Borough Council— " Sees no reason to join in any. attempt to prevent formation"; Eangiora Borough Council—" Objects " ; Lytteiton Borough Council — " Is opposed to proposalto incorporate'V New. -Brighton Borough Council —"Disapproves of same." VReplies not yet received, from several other contributing, •bodies.- . ■■■' ' : " . ", '„ '\ ; \ ""' •.' \ -.;.. COMMITTEE'S REPORT.; '. The report of the. Charitable Aid Committee was as follows: — The Charitable i Aid Committee begs to report that it has once more taken into serious consideration the unsatisfactory condition of the present accommodation at the Armagh Street depot for cases of temporary shelter, and unanimously recommends the Board to make provision for improving the same. As the committee is of opinion that any attempt -to effect this object by repairing the existing building would be practically useless by reason of the age and admittedly ; unsuitable nature of the structure, the only alternative to be suggested is the erection, at the minimum of cost consistent with requisite convenience, of a new cottage on the premises, and the demolition of the old barracks when that is done. Thecommittee, therefore, ventures to express the hope that the Board may find it has sufficient means in hand, before the financial year expires, to carry out this necessary improvement ; and begs to submit herewith for the Board's approval a rough ground plan of such a building as may be thought suitable for the purpose, with a recommendation that a specification be prepared and tenders invited for the Board's consideration at its next meeting. The number of cases of outdoor relief for February was 457, comprising a total of 1382 persons. For January the figures -were 446, 1350 ; and in comparison with February of last year' the number shows an increase of seven cases relieved. The committee recommends a slight alteration in the form of issuing the half-yearly list of the several recipients, as soon after April 1 as may be found practicable. • Mr Board moved, and Mr Hamilton' seconded the adoption of the report, ].'■ Messrs Dobson and Harper, spoke strongly on the necessity for fresh buildings, but considered that a larger structure than contemplated in the report was absolutely necensary. Mr Dunlop said that it might not be advisable to collect a large number of charitable aid inmates in the heart of the city. Mr Hamilton supported the motion for the adoption of the report, which was carried unanimously. Mr Harper gave a short resume of the recent working of the Ashburton Home, which was considered very satisfactory. RECEIPTS. The Secretary statedthat the following sums had been received since the last meeting: — Amuri County Council, .£3O; Mandeville and Eangiora Eoad Board, ,£271559 d; Ashley Eoad Board, £7; Selwyn County Council, ,£289 15s ; Kaikoura, £1 6s 7d ; Akaroa, .£26 5s ; Ashburton .£B6 14s 4d, Ashburton borough .£7 8s lid ; Lin- | wood, .£lO 2s lOd ; St Albans, .£l2 103 7d ; Christchurch City, ,£76 13s; rent and recoveries, .£lO 19s 8d; interest on mortgage, .£B3 os; Eangiora Borough Council, 421 14s Id. Total, .£697 10s 9d. The Board then adjourned until 10.15 a.m. on March 23.