THE KERR-CAMPBELL FUND —A PUBLIC APPEAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6489, 14 December 1881, Page 5

THE KERR-CAMPBELL FUND —A PUBLIC APPEAL.

TO THB HDIXOB. Sib, —On Sunday morning lost a double fatality occurred, attended by circumstances and results which seem to deserve and claim the special notice of the public. A youth, named Campbell, on horseback in the Heathcote, woe shaken off into the stream. A man, named Kerr, perceiving Campbell's struggles in the water, jumped in to attempt his rescuej but Kerr, who does not seem to have been a good swimmer at best, was crippled bv the grip of the drowning youth, and both wore lost. A spectator, named Smith, risked his own life in a desperate effort to save one or both, but hod soon to elect between perishing with them and saving himself. By this double fatality, the mother of Campbell, a widow (who has three younger children left, and who hoc eeen muon trouble before), is bereaved of her eldest child and the breadwinner of the family, while Mrs Kerr is left a widow through her late husband’s obedience to a generous impulse. Kerr’s life was sacrificed in a deed which loses none of its nobleness by its non-success. His was sot the nature to pause and balance considerations of personal safety against the possibilities of saving a life. No; he saw a fellow-creature drowning, and in self-forgetfulness sprang into the jaws of death to save him or to die. Considering that the public at large should have ah opportunity of marking their sense of inch a deed as this, os well as of sympathising with the two bereaved women in a practical way, I venture to suggest a public subscription, the proceeds of which shall be invested for their benefit, or otherwise applied in enob manner and proportions as may be hereafter determined. In addition to those already canvassing, and pending the formation of an extending general Committee, Mr John Ollivier and Mr C. B. Taylor have kindly consented to receive subscriptions. Hoping the result of the appeal will prove worthy of the occasion,—l am, Sea., SAMUEL SLOOOMBB. Ferry rood, Deo. 18,1881.