THE HERO FUND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3009, 5 October 1908, Page 5

THE HERO FUND.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association-Bv Elsctric Telegraph Copyright.

EXTENT OF OPERATIONS.

Received October 4, 4.15 p.m. LONDON, Octobei 3. Asked how far the Hero funds applied to British seamen, Mr Andrew Carnegie replied that he did not think it practicable to extend its operations beyond the British and waters thereof.

Mr Andrew Carnegie has given a quarter of a million, producing an income of £12,500 a year, towards the foundation of a Hero Fund in the United Kingdom, to reward the heroes of peace, and, it necessary, to maintain their widows and children. Men and women will be treated alike under the Fund. Sailors, railwaymen, nurses, doctors, police and firemen in the British Isles and employed in the waters thereof are eligible. Trustees will administer the Fund. The King approves the scheme. The trustees are directed that whenever the King expresses a wish regarding a case, his will shall be law. Mr Andrew Carnegie is doing for the United Kingdom what he has already done for the bulk of the North American Continent. In April, 1904, he created a fund of 5,000,000 dollars for the benefit of the dependents of those losing their lives in heroic effort to save their fellow men, or for the heroes themselves if injured only. Provision was also made for medals to be given in commemoration of heroic acts. The fund applies only to acts performed within the United States of America, the Dominion of Canada, the Colony of Newfoundland, and the waters thereof, and such acts mnst have been performed on or after April 15th, 1904. The endowment known as the "Hero Fund" was placed in the hands of a commission, and this commission has awarded eighty-seven medals; forty seven bronze, thirtyfive silver, and five gold. In addition to the medals, money has been given for disablement benefits and special purposes, and for the dependents of heroes who lost their lives, amounting to 53,750 dollars. The commission has also awarded 64,462 dollars for relief of sufferers from disasters.