WELLINGTON CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9213, 4 November 1908, Page 5

WELLINGTON CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

ADVERSE CRITICISM OF MAURIOEVILLE COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE CHAIRMAN'S VIEWS ON

THE MATTER

ITO THE'EDITOB. i

Sir, —The recent scathing remarks by the Chairman (Mr R. C. Kirk) and members of the Wellington Charitable Aid Board regarding the lavish distribution of relief in the Mauriceville County, call for an explanation by my Council to the ratepayers of this district, and to the public generally, as these remarks have been published in the Press throughout the Dominion.

It was stated the Council supplied flour at 17s per cwt. I have personally carefully perused the vouchers for several mouths back, aud have failed to discover this item. Relief is granted, for instance, at the rate of 10s per week, and the storekeeper is instructed to supply goods to that aniouut; the recipient considers he is entitled to be supplied with whatever goods he requires, provided he does not exceed his allowance. My Council has always recognised the extravagance on the part of recipients of aid, and, like the Board, can easily find fault, but, under existing circumstances, it is most difficult to find a remedy. Charitable aid in this district is not a matter of temporary relief, but it really amounts to a pension. The population here is not a moving one, as , in cities, nor is suitable work for these people so readily obtained. My Council has repeatedly applied to the Board for advice in this difficult matter, and has asked to be supplied with a "ration list" of articles as supplied' by the Board itself to its own recipients. Had this course been adopted months ago, when we applied, much worry and expense might have been saved. It must also be borne in mind that we must pay the prices ruling here, regardless of those elsewhere.

The Board took exception to interest (£4) being paid on a mortgage (£SO) on a small cottage owned by an aged couple (one a pensioner and the other a confirmed invalid). I might explain here, my Council undertook this liability to avert foreclosure, as it was considered more benevolent and less extravagant to allow them to retain their old home than to maintain them in a charitable institution. In consideration for this assistance, they have assigned their property to the Council. It seems strange the Board has only now taken exception to this payment after passing it for the last eight years. . ■ In another case—a blind man with a large family and owning a cottage and ten acres of land—my Council granted relief on the strong recommendation of the member for the district, the Magistrate, the Sergeant of Police, and leading medical men, and asked, as in the former case, that the property be vested in. the Council. This the applicant refused to do, but borrowed money on his property elsewhere, and has now come back on up for further relief. Some time ago the Board recognised the difficulty under which its aid was being administered, and practically admitted its inability to satisfactorily cope with it, by appointing an inspector. Miss Kirk was appointed, at a salary of £200 per annum, with travelling allowance. It seems to us a coincidence that the Board, in rearranging its finances to meet this increased expenditure, should have ,then discovered gross extravagance on our part in granting aid to destitute people. Finally, I would ask the Board to seriously consider its action in withholding a re-payment of £102 which my Council has paid in good faith on behalf of the Board.—l am, etc., F. W. H. KUMMEK, Chairman - Maurjcevijle County Council. Mauriceville, 3rd Nov. ,1908. P.S.— According to report of last Board meeting, I notice the secretary's salary has also been increased.