KAITANGATA RELIEF FUND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5662, 23 May 1879, Page 7

KAITANGATA RELIEF FUND.

The following letter has been received by the Town Clerk (Mr. O. C. Graham) from the Secretary to the Kaitangata Relief Fund, Dunedin :

“ Dunedin, May 8, 1879.

“ Sir, —Your favor 5/5/79 to hand, in which you inform me that you have now in hand a sura of £lllß 3s. 5d., on account of the Kaitangata Relief Fund, and inquiring as to the distributing the fund, and in whose names the fund is to be invested. In reply to your queries I have to inform you that the Executive Committee, entrusted with the collection of the funds, have no power to determine the matters you inquire about. The committee is now publishing its receipts and as soon as that is accomplished, I believe next week, or the one following, a meeting will be called to resolve upon and determine in regard to the investing and principle of distribution. In the meantime the widows and orphans are receiving a weekly alimony ranging from 12s. to 305., according to the real necessities of each case, which have been strictly inquired into. My own private opinion, in the matter is—seeing that the public has come so nobly forward and subscribed an amount in excess of what I think will be required—that the fund might be established or developed into a National Accident Fund, under an Act of Parliament, the widows and orphans of the Kaitangata accident being the first claimants, and the trustees appointed in various parts of the colony. However, I need not enter on this, as it;is only an idea of my own that I intend to bring.forward at the next meeting to be held for the'purpose. The committee will be glad to receive and submit to that meeting any suggestions for its consideration. —I am, &0., “John L. Gillies, “ Hon. Sec.”