Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/214

 the "Dayspring" Fund, and £36 to the support of six native teachers on Emae; while the Bible Class contribution was devoted to the support of two native teachers.

This Society pursues its work among the poorer members and adherents of the congregation in a quiet but efficient manner. Your office-bearers would urge its claims as strongly as possible, believing that it is chiefly by the aid of such organisations that any tendency towards pauperism in the community can be best met. The assistance granted to the poor by the Ladies' Association is done in a way which spares the feelings of the recipients. At the same time every care is taken that applications for aid are deserving, and unworthy cases are rejected as far as possible. The help granted takes usually the form of grants of coal, wood, clothing, bedding, boots, provisions, medical comforts and necessaries. Money is seldom given. Altogether, 72 families and individuals have received gifts of clothing. This work is in the hands of the Dorcas Society, which distributes both old clothing and new material made up by its members. Altogether, 97 donations of coals were made during the year. Donations of coals were received from the Union Steam Ship Co. (5 tons) and the Kaitangata Coal Co. (2½ tons). Dr. Stuart gave the Association the handsome gift of £10 and two air beds, the latter so welcome to sick sufferers. Mr. Aikman, executor of the late Mr. Wm. Douglas, gave a large donation of clothing. The funds were also largely augmented by the proceeds of a concert given by the Church singing classes, conducted by Mr. Braik. The executive of the Association regret the retirement from their number of Mrs. Reith and Mrs. Carter. The former, from the commencement of the Dorcas Society, had devoted much time and trouble to its management. In their stead, Mrs. Mann and Mrs. Duthie have undertaken to act in conjunction with Mrs. Wilkie.

The Young Womens' Society has now been in existence for four years, and is carrying on a useful work, especially in the direction of looking after the wants, temporal and spiritual, of the children of families in the neighbourhood. It combines in itself the duties of a Dorcas and of a visiting society, and its