H.—6b

1900. NEW ZEALAND.

N.Z. CONTINGENTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY, ROYAL COMMISSION OF THE PATRIOTIC FUND OF LONDON, TO THE COMMANDER OF THE FORCES, NEW ZEALAND, IN REPLY TO AN APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE TO WIDOW (NAME NOT PRINTED) OF A NEW ZEALAND TROOPER.

i Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

Eoyal Commission of the Patriotic Fund, Sib, — 53, Charing Cross, London, S.W., 22nd June, 1900. In reply to your letter of the 3rd May, bringing to the notice of this Commission the case of Mrs. 8., widow of the late Mr. 8., of the New Zealand Contingent, who died of enteric fever at Kimberley, South Africa, on the 9th February, 1900, I transmit herewith a form to be filled up and returned here, together with certified copies of Mrs. B.s marriage, and, if possible, her birth certificate, and with the birth certificates of her two sons and her daughter. I should feel much obliged if the greatest care were taken in filling up fully and most accurately all the particulars required by the form, and in transmitting the certificates in support, so as to avoid any further, reference on essential points in connection with the establishment of the case. The Patriotic Fund Commissioners are very sensible of the generous subscriptions which have been received by the* Lord Mayor of London for the Transvaal War Fund, to be administered by this Commission for the benefit of widows, orphans, and other dependents of officers and men, of colonial as well as British forces, losing their lives in South Africa, and they would have made a temporary grant at once to Mrs. B. but that the Lord Mayor has intimated that a certain proportion of the funds subscribed in the colony would be retained in the colony for the purpose of meeting the temporary needs of widows and orphans resident in the colony. lam therefore to suggest that, from such local funds, Mrs. 8., if in urgent need of assistance, should receive a grant. To enable, however, the Patriotic Fund Commissioners to deal adequately with Mrs. B.s case, when you return the accompanying form of application, I am to ask that a report of her worldly circumstances may be made on the blank form herewith transmitted, and, if there is any additional information which you consider may assist the Patriotic Fund Commissioners, they will be very grateful for the same. I take the opportunity to ask that I may be furnished with the names of the chairmen and secretary or treasurer of any local funds raised for the benefit of widows, orphans, and other dependents of those losing their lives in South Africa, as it will probably be necessary to seek the aid of such authorities in connection with any further applications for assistance from individuals resident in New Zealand. We have information of such officials in Dunedin and Auckland, but not in Wellington. In case there may be any further cases of widows resident in New Zealand which may come to your notice, I enclose half a dozen blank forms of application for assistance and half a dozen blank forms of report for transmission with each case. Thanking you in anticipation, I am, &c, S. Young, Colonel, Secretary. Colonel A. P. Penton, E.A., Commander New Zealand Forces, Wellington, New Zealand.

LLOYD'S PATRIOTIC FUND (Established 1803). Fokm of Application foe a Disabled Soldiee, Sailoe, ok Marine. To be filled up, signed by an officer whose name appears in the Army or Navy List, a clergyman, or a Magistrate, together with discharge and pension certificates, to the secretary, Lloyd's Patriotic Fund, Brook House, Walbrook, London, B.C. Name, No., and rank: Ship, regiment, or battery :