Pensions Bill.

Manawatu Herald, 13 October 1900, Page 2

Pensions Bill.

A Bill has been read a seoond iima providing for pensions and allowances to disabled members of our contingents sent to South Afrioa and the relatives* of those killed. The measure merely provides for the same scale of pensions as those in the Act of 1866, but they are in addition to those granted by the Imperial authorities, which are about the same amount* Wounded officers totally losing the use of a limb, or an equivalent wound, will receive a yearly pension of £250; for a colonel, £200; major, £150 ; captain, surgeon, lieutenant, assistant-surgeon, £75 ; second lieutenant, £70. In the case of non-commissioned officers and privates the allowance will vary from fifteen pence to four shillings per day (according to the extent of the injury) for sergeants, twelve pence to forty pence for corporals, and eight pence to three shillings for privates. In the case of death the widow may receive one year's pay and the children one-third of that amount as a gratuity, as well as a pension as follows : — Colonel's widow, whose husband dies from illness, £120 a year ; each child £16 to £20 ; from wounds, widow, £150; £18 to £26 for drenMajor's widow, £90 to £120; children, £14 to £17. Captains* and surgeons' widows, £65 to £80 ; £10 to £14 for children. Lieutenants' and assistant-sur-geons' widows, £50 to £60; £6 to £14 for children. Non-commissioned officers' and Privates' widows, £80 to £86; £4 to £10 for chi dren. In addition allowances are provided for mothers and Bisters in distressed circumstances (if there is no widow or child left). All payments to widows cease on re-marrying, to sons on reaching 18 years and to daughters on reaching 21 or previously marrying.