THE WIDOW BAIN FUND.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 94, 27 April 1876, Page 6

THE WIDOW BAIN FUND.

A meeting of subscribers to the above fund was held in the Council Chambers on Monday evening. There were about twenty individuals present, and Mr Fitzclarence Roberts was called to the chair.

The Chairman explained tbat the meeting had been called by advertisement to ascertain how the accounts of the Widow Bain Fund stood. It appeared that these had never been audited, and a great deal of feeling existed in the public mind in reference to the matter, He produced copies of the 1 Clutha Leader,' of the 22nd and 29th October, 1874, which contained two lists of subscribers to the fund, but he, the chairman, said the original list ! should have been handed to him. He asked who had the list ? Mr Ritchie : Mr Ross. Dr Smith said that the party who called the meeting should explain the object for which it had been called. Mr Ritchie said everyone knew what the meeting had been called for. It had been called because a large sum of money had been subscribed for and paid by the public and no account had been given of it. The Chairman said the original list should be handed to him.

Mr Ross said it might facilitate matters if he were to make a statement in explanation. Immediately after the funeral of tbe late Mr 13ain, he took steps to provide a home for the widow. He did so the afternoon of the funeral, and succeded very well, only very few upon whom he called refusing to subscribe, and he published a list of the subscription!?, but at the time the same was published two-thirds of the subscribers remained unpaid. The money was being paid gradually, but had he pushed for payment he would not have got it. He purchased the ground for tlie house, called for tenders for the building, and accepted that of Mr Young. The house was built and he paid for it. The most of the subscribers came forward and paid their subscrip-

tions, and he thought that those who were dissatisfied with him should have taken some action in the matter them - selves. He could tell the amount of money he had received, but had got no notice of the meeting except by the advertisement. He might mention that he had frequently seen Mrs Bain, who had never complained of his action, but who always expressed herself as sure she would get the money. He believed that part of the subscriptions in the published lists had been paid to Mr Ritchie, in the National Bank.

Mr Ritchie explained that no part of that in these lists had been paid to him. Mr Ross said he had paid for the building of the house, £132 14sj for the section, £6 10s; and that IVfrs Bain had received in goods and cash £13 and £21 16s 9^ The Crown Grant had not yet been either procured or paid for, but there was a cash balance in hand of £15AL3s 3d.

Mr Stewart explained : Mr Ross had induced him to advance the money for the house and the ground, and this adr vance was paid by the subscriptions as they came in. The balance of cash mentioned by Mr Ross was in his (Mr Stewart's) hands j and he might explain that a complete statement had not been published because the conveyance had not been got. It had been ordered long ago, and repeatedly asked for, but had not yet been prepared, through some oversight on the part of the Solicitor.

Mr Reunert explained that he could corroborate Mr Stewart's statements as to the conveyance. It had been ordered through him, Mr Reunert, nine months ago, but through making some partnership arrangements, the matter had been neglected by the Solicitor. He, Mr Reunert had written three or four times for the conveyance lately, and expected it would be ready shortly.

Mr Stewart said he had repeatedly written for the conveyance, and had taken some trouble by getting the christian name of the wido w, and in other ways, to facilitate its preparation. As to the original subscription list he might explain that it was locked up in his cash-box, which was taken to Dunedin lately.

Dr Smith said that whatever feeling may have existed with reference to the matter, all must feel satisfied with Mr Stewart's action in reference to it. Few men would have advanced so large a sum of money on the faith of a subscription list.

i The Chairman suggested that a small Committee should be appointed to examine the original subscription list and report at a future meeting. The Committee could be informed who had paid and who had not, and endeavor to get up the balance. Dr Smith said that, seeing there was a strong feeling abroad in connection with the fund, it should be thoroughly cleared up. Mr Dunne said the list of those who had paid, and also those who had subscribed but had not paid, should be published. Mr Ritchie said he understood parties would not pay in the meantime until an investigation had been made. Mr Stewart said he understood the money subscribed to Mr Ross had been gos for the purpose of building a house for Mrs Bain. Mr Ross' list was not singular in not having been published.' He asked what about the list, the proceeds of which had been paid into the National Bank ? Mr Ritchie said the money had been lodged in the names of two trustees, and the only instructions were that it should not be paid over to Mr Ross. Dr Smith said he thought the thanks of the meeting were due to Messrs Stewart and Ross for getting up the subscription.

Mr A. C. Campbell said credit was due to them for getting up a house for the widow in so short time.

Mr Stewart said the Good Templars had also -collected money for Mrs Bain. That list should also be published. Mr Fleming said a resolution was passed in the Lodge that the members should subscribe to get a small sum for Mrs Bain. The members who were present at once subscribed, but as a number were absent, two or three parties were appointed to see them and get their subscriptions if they desired to give anything. In going round, he believed the collectors had got one or two small sums from parties outside the Order. The subscription lists were reported and examined in the Lodge, and a deputation was appointed to pay over the sum to Mrs Bam. This was done, and the amount received and paid Eublished in next issue of the * Clutha leader.' Thus the matter was finally settled, and he did not believe the subscription list was preserved. He (Mr Fleming) had not collected any money, but he had contributed both in the Masonic, and Good Templar Lodges. These subscriptions were got up by the Lodges ; the collectors were responsible, and had accounted to these Lodges, and the matter he considered was thus finally settled. It was pointed out that the collection in the Masonic Lodge was made by ]ftssons alone, while the Good Templars had collected from the general public as well.

After some further discussion, Mr Dunne moved that all subscription lists in connection with the Bain Fund be laid before an adjourned meeting, to be held on the evening of Bth May, aad that an advertisement be

published twice in the * Clutha Leader,' calling for the same. Mr Reunert seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Ross said he did not know that he was to be bound by any resolution of the meeting, but he would promise to produce the list as desired. The Chairman said a Committee could be appointed at next meeting to examine and report upon the state of the accounts after the lists shall have been received. The meeting then adjourned.