WOMAN'S GIFTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 136, 10 June 1936, Page 8

WOMAN'S GIFTS.

MONEY FOR MISSIONS. LINK WITH PIONEER FAMILY. GENEROUS BEQUESTS MADE. The last link with one of the pioneer families of Rangitikei was severed last month by the death in Auckland, at the age of S9, of Miss Barbara Hall Cunningham McDonald Bruce. In her will, which has been sworn for probate at under £17,000, the late Miss Bruce has made bequests, several of thorn substantial, to a number of charitable institutions. Miss Bruce was a descendant on both sides from very old Scottish families, and she left her native land, when in her teens, for New Zealand, in 1800. Her father and brothers, after' walking from Wellington to Hawke's Bay and back, acquired a large area,of land near Turakina, which became known as Glencairn. There, until her health broke down, Miss Bruce took her full share of the difficulties and hardships that beset pioneer settlement. The Bruce family at once took a prominent part in the religious and social'life of Rangitiki, and their influence radiated far and wide. Every member of the family was of outstanding ability and all made their mark in the field of activity entered. The best known to the general public was Mr. R. C. Bruce, who sat in the House of Representatives as member for Rangitiki during three Parliaments. He left his'fortune for afforestation and the making of national parks and domains in New Zealand.

Miss Bruce was an invalid for the greater part of her life, hut she exercised a remarkable influence over a wide' field. She possessed a clear brain and most retentive memory. She was of a deeply religious nature and the bequests in her will provide for a wide range of ecclesiastical organisations. ■ ■ Subject to certain life interests, the following bequests are provided in the will:— • Zenana Bible and Medical Association, London, £250. South American Mission, London, £250. Sudan United Mission, London, £250. The Regions Beyond Mission Union, £250. British and Foreign' Bible Society, London, £200. Fund for the benefit of the superannuated aged and infirm ministers of the Presbvterian Church ill New Zealand, £1000. Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Xew Zealand of the Infirm Missionary Fund (if one exists), or, failing existence of any such fund, to the Presbyterian Church Property Trustees, £1000. This bequest, the testatrix decreed, is to form the nucleus of, or is to be used to assist ! in, the establishment of a building fund foj- the benefit of returned missionaries, it being her hope that others who follow will develop and give practical effect to the idea which prompted the donation to a cause so worthy and in such need of assistance. There are further bequests out of the residue of the estate, of £1000 each to the last two mentioned institutions, and after this provision it is stipulated that any residue of the estate shall go to the Scripture Gift Mission. London. The Guardian Trust and Executors Company of Xew Zealand, Ltd., aie appointed executors of the estate.