A SUCCESSFUL APPEAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3022, 8 March 1917, Page 9

A SUCCESSFUL APPEAL

FOR, A MAIMED YOUTH. / Robgrt Watson, a youth, lost a leg as the result of an accidont at the Pctono railway station four weeks ago. Shortly afterwards the United Christian Association of Potono mado a public appeal, with tho object of raisin" about £25 for the purpose of providing an artificial limb. Tho rosponso of tho public was beyond all expectations, and the result announced by the secretary, Mr. J. R. Carey, shows that over £91 has been raised. On top of tho embarrassment of having to deal with this large sum comes the intimation to the committee that tho Railway Department lias quito uncxpecedly decided to itself supply tho artificial limb., Watson was employed as a clerk in tho railway offices, hut ho met with the accident in his own timo.

The committeo, consisting of the executive of the Christian Association, the Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan), and Messrs. Eobertson and Nicholson, met j on AVednqßda}', and after discussing the situation, decided to invest the sum of £25 for the purpose of providing a new artificial limb at a futuro date, when the first one is worn out. As the fund was raised for tho specific purpose of purchasing a limb, the' committee considered that it was not justified in dealing with tho balance without the sanction of the subsorrbers, and a meeting will be called in a fortnights time to obtain tho direction of tho •subscribers as to its disposal. A sum of £9 collected in tho Wellington railway offices was specially earmarked by the subscribers to be handed over to Watson's mother, and the sum was so allocated by tho committee. This will leave a balance of somo £57 to bo disposed of. Ouo of tho, recommendations of the committee to the general meeting is that tho hospital expenses, of abont £9, bo paid. The committee unanimously passed tho following resolution: "That this executive oxpresses its deep sense of gratitude at tho unexampled generosity of the public in its response to tho appeal for this fund."

Of the sum rasied, over £24 was collected by Mr. Robertson, and over' £22 by the Baptist Church and Young Men's Bible Class.

The committeo appointed the Mayor of Petone and Messrs. Duff and Caroy tnistens of tho fund. Tho secretary was directed to thank the manager of the Grand Theatre for his offer of a picture benefit in aid of tho fund, but to inform him that tho fund was now closed.