QUEEN BEE RELIEF COMMITTEE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5172, 19 October 1877, Page 7

QUEEN BEE RELIEF COMMITTEE.

(From the Nelson Mail, 28th Sept.) A meeting of the general committee was held yesterday, hia Lordship the Bishop of Nelson in the chair. The sub-committee appointed to distribute the amount voted by the general committee reported that they had forwarded cheques for the respective amounts voted to each of the passengers, that all the passengers expressed their sincere thanks to the committee and the people of Nelson for the kindness and sympathy shown to them, that some few had declined to accept pecuniary assistance, and that cheques to the amount of £135 had therefore been returned. ,

The honorary secretary reported the subscription lists closed, and that the total collections amounted to £668 Ids. Bd., including £224 3s. 6d. received from Wellington. The expenditure to date amounted to £493 9s. XOd., leaving a balance in hand of £175 4s. lOd. Several special votes recommended by the sub- committee were then agreed to, and a warm discussion took place on the proposal made by one of the committee to give the captain £35. Some thought it too much, and others thought he was not entitled to any consideration at all, having caused all the trouble. Amendments were proposed to reduce the amount, and one member proposed to give the whole of the balance to the captain ; but this last; proposal was not seconded Ultimately, and after a long discussion, £35 was carried, when the following protest was laid before the committee:—

“ The undersigned are of opinion that it would not be the desire of the larger portion of the subscribers that any grant should be made to the captain, and therefore protest against the grant being made.—Signed “ A. B. Nelson, “A. S. Atkinson, ‘ H. B. Curtis, “ James Leighton, “ J. K. Dodson, “John Oldham.”.

If was then resolved that after the payment of the special grants and all expenses, the balance should be distributed among eight passengers. Among the special votes referred to were the following items :—Naval Brigade (already advanced), £2O ; third mate (additional) £ls ; Maoris (expenses), £lO ; Mrs. Gibbs (amount kindly contributed to the fund but not required), £lO.

Tlie Rev. J. Beckenham and Mr. J. R. Hooper were appointed auditors. Votes of thanks were unanimously accorded to his Lordship the Bishop (chairman), Mr. McDonald, hon. treasurer, and Mr. Greenfield, bon. secretary.