The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 238, 10 February 1855, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times.

Saturday, February 10, 1855. The news from England and the theatre otwar is unportaut. The victory of the All-ed Iroops on the banks of the Alma and their successful efforts for the eventual occupation of Sebastopol, have changed

the complainings of the English press into gratulation. From a. report of "The Central Association in aid of the wives and families,[widows and orphans of soldiers ordered on active service," we find that the sum of £80,269 17s. 7d. was collected previous to the 7th of September, 1854; £9,172 of which had been expended in relief, and £2,914 15s. 3d was in the hands of the bankers and the hon. Secretary ; with the remaining £65,565 9s. 4d., Exchequer bi''s had hesri purchased, and deposited in the Bank of England in the names of the following Trustees ; Sir John Kirkland, Lord Henry Cholmondeley, M.P., and Major the Hon. 11. L. Powysl The report concludes with the following remarks : — -

" Effectually to prevent the recurrence of such distressing scenes as those which gave rise 10 the formation of this Association, the Committee have had in consideration a plan which it is hoped might tend materially to raise the condition of the soldier's wife, and secure a provision for the soldier's widow. As there is no probability, under existing circumstances, of so raisin" the pay of the soldier as to enable him when married to apportion a sufficient share of it to his family while he is on active service, the Committee ai;e of opinion that a National Fund should be established, of which the invested ca«pitai of this Association shall be the foundation, and to which the public and the soldier shall be invited to subscribe annually. This fund to provide pensions for widows and orphan.;, as well as temporary assistance to wife and family, of those who, having become subscribers, may be ordered on active service,''

From the account given in another column it will be seen that the report of the capture of the Russian frigates in the Pacific was unfounded, The attack on Petropolovski discovered the Aurora and Diana anchored under the guns of that fortress.