MRS M'MASTER FUND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 34

MRS M'MASTER FUND.

"We- have received the following additional donations: — Amount previously acknowledged, £33 15s 4d ; A Friend, 2s ; W. T. M'Farlane, £1 ; A Sympathiser (Otakou), £1; F. R. Manning, £1 Is; C. M., £1; Sympathy, £1; Mrs Robert GilMson, £1; 8., 2s; B. P. and S. P., ss; Sympathiser (Moonlight), 2s 6d; Terminus (Outram), ss; Sympathiser (Abbotsford), 2s 6d; Miller's Flat, 10s; K. M. P., 2s €d; Mrs A. 1/ee-Smith, £2 2s; Sympathiser, 2s 8d; Mrs Bowler, 10s; Robin, Is; Nora, Is; Kawarou, 10s 6d ; W. H., 2s 6d ; C, £L; Anonymoos, £1 Is ; D. E. T., £1 Is ; M. and J. F., £1 ; G. C., 2s Gd; Seacliff Mental Hospital Staff, £4; C Family, sa; A Friend, IDs; "Widow. 2s 6d; Mrs Reid (Elderslie), £2 2s; A. S. Malcolm, £1 Is; A Friend, ss; J. D. C, ss; J G. 8., 2a; S. 8., 2s 6d; Carmichael, ss; Mrs R.. 2s 6d; Sympathiser, £1 Is; C. G. "V., £1; Thos. Mackenzie, £2; St. Clair Sunday School, £1 la; M. F., 2s; John B Loean (Kelso), £22; A Scotch Lass (Gore), 5s •' E H., £1; L. 8., ss; Roni, ss; W. A. L., 3s; K. P., 3s; Mrs M. (Mosgiel). ss; May. 6s; Mrs Colquhoun, 10s; Proverbs (xix, 17), 2s 6d; iv. if., 10s- R.1«.,55; Sympathiser (Wellington), 2s 6d; M. J. M. (Milton), ss; Seabird, £1; P S D., ss; S. F. D., ss; Ferguseon and Kifchell. £2 2s; M. P.. ss: Sympathiser (Koss; D. S., £1; Patria, ss; Mrs J. B. 8., £1; Mrs J. P., 10s; Mrs Thomas (Si. Clair), 10s; E C £1 Is; N. 1r.,£1; A Christian, ss; Sympathiser, 2s ; A Widow, 2s 6d ; A Poor Widow, Is; Sympathy, 2s; B. A., 3s 6d; Mts D. K. White, 10s 6d; E. M. D., 2s 6d; A. W 2s 6d; A Friend. ss; M: and A. Baird, £2; Cathns, 2a 6d; Mra John Sidey, £1. Mr A, C. Robertson, of Balclutha. who has taken a warm interest in the case of lira M'Master and her family, informs us that lie has been in communication with the secretary of the committee at Ratanui which has been formed to take the matter up. The ommittee conshrtes of Messrs Batcheler (missionary), Stansfield. Moir. and Pollock. At a recent meeting of the commitiee Messrs Pollock and St&nsfield were appointed trustees. Tbess gentlemen wish to convey their thanks to tne public who have generously contributed to the fund through our columns, and to assure subscribers that the money given will be used in the best possible way. The committee is grateful at the admission of the poor boy Hu'ghie to the Dunedin Hospital, which institution he entered two or three days since. The poor boy was in a bad way, but the skilled attention and comfort ha is receiving in the children's ward has already had a beneficial effect. The ages of the six children axe 14, 12, 8 6 4, and 3 years respectively. Mr Robertson'says that the poor widow is deeply panful and cannot find words to express her thanks to those who "have come to the rescue and are helping her in her hour of trial. He expresses the opinion that Mrs M'Master should leave the farm on which she is located, as it is quite impossible for her to carry it on successfully, and were she to attempt to do so the poor children would inevitably ba neglected, lie thinks the -trustees should, if sufficient funds are -subscribed, purchase a smalLiouse for her Bomewhere, and with the help that should be given to so distressing a case by the proper authorities ehe might be enabled to bring up her family. TO THE EDITOR. Stz —Your correspondent " A Friend ' makes *n excellent suggestion, that a local committee should talus this case up. Mrs M'Master was % housemaid of ours for several years, and i can testify to her being a deßerrIng woman; but she is certainly not fitted to conduct a business in town as iraggested. l have ascertained at the Land Office that the farm consist 8 of 98 acres; it is mortgaged under the Advances to Settlers Act for £110; the yearly payment is £6. I had intended to keep this payment up for a year or two, but [ shall be glad to work with the committee it one "is formed. Would the committee ascertain if the bill of sale on the cows is paid off and the interest on the mortgage paid; whether the farm could be carried on, the committee supervising. Mr M'Master made desp«ate efforts to secure and keep the farm, and it seems a pity that the family should lose the result of his labour.— l am, etc.. Dunedin, May 7. George Joachim. TO THE EDITOR. Sir— ln answer to the letter in yeEterday's issue' signed *'A Friend," I wish to state lhat there is already a committee formed here which is collecting, advising, and doing ill it possibly can to assist the family. &11 those who have given, and tho=e who are considering about contributing, to the fund can rest quits assured that the money so given will be applied in such s. way as to give the best po»sible results. The other matters in the letter of "A Friend" are also having attention. — I am. etc.. Ratanui, May 8. H. B. Stassfield. THE M'MASTER FUND. TO THIS SDITO«. Sic, — Enclosed please find my contribution fo a worthy family in their great bereavement and distress. I heard that a mortgage of under £100 was on the /arm. Might I suggest to those moving in this matter the propriety of endeavouring to clear off that debt ; also that the Benevolent Trustees be respectfully requested to grant, irrespective of outside efforts, the allowance usual in such cases. If this be arranged, the public will be encouraged to give by the knowledge that its help will be used to supplement the ordinary grant. — I am, etc., Thomas Macxeszie. Allan Grange, May 5.