THE MINING DISASTER.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9386, 9 April 1896, Page 5

THE MINING DISASTER.

Mr G. W. Koya, Chairman of the Annafe School Committee, writes:-— ,. With this ii forwarded £10 troui the Auuivt school children's prize fuad towards the Bruuuortou funds. The childreu cheerfully gave up their prizes, worked hard, and die rewarded by being able to send you a substantial sum. A further instalment will probably be forwarded Bhortly." The school children at Rueaell's Flat have foregone their prizes, and have devoted the money to the Bruunertou relief funds. A collection is to bo taken up at the German Church next Sunday. A- Committee meeting of the United Friend,y Societies' Benevolent Fund waa held last night in connection with the proposed inohster meeting in the Opera House on Sunday ufteruoon, 19th iust., in aid^of the Biunuer Relief Fund. UL'he Secretary reported having written to the Bauds foi their support, and waited on several of the rev. gentlemen, proposed as speakers c.nd obtained their consent, and that he would communicate with the others immediately. Ue had also made arrangements for the hall, and had gob the couseut of tit. Paul's choir to give the muaioai items. Id wat decided to commence advertising the gathering in Saturday's papers, and the meeting then adjourned until next Wednea< day evening to make tinal arrangements.' The Oddfellows' Hall, Lyntelton, wai crowded to the doors, and many were turned away, on Tuesday night, when the minstrel troupe belonging to the R.M.e.s. Ruapehu performed in aid of the Bruauer relief fund. The troupe were under the direction of Mi Blackwell, who organised the entertainment; and a really good programme was gone through. Aβ a result of tho concert the handsome donation of over £20 will bt added to the relief fund. His Worship th« Mayor of Lyttelton desires to publicly thank the performers : for their valuable servicee. - The Sumner Dramatic Club will give at entertainment in aid of the above fund in the local Town Hall on Thursday, April I,6th. An excellent variety programme hah been arranged,sand will conulutio with thi comedietta, " A Winning Hazard." The Nelson Colonist reports chat one oi the country collectors for the Brunner reliei fund asked a lad whother he would give anything, when the reply rras : "I havens money, but I will give my week'a wages." A meeting of the Executive Committet of the Brunner Relief Fund will be held afi 4.30 p.m. to-day at the City Counoil Chambers. . ; The Mayor has asked the citizens to. close from noon on Thursday, 16th mat., on the occasion of the gala in aid of the Brunner Relief Fund.

The programme of the concert to be given in aid of the fund in the Temple of Truth to-uighb appears elsewhere, and should attract a' full audience. Misses Lilian Smith, Hilda Meadows and Alice Corrick will be the lady vocalists. Measct Millar, Woodhouse, Loveii and Rev. A. Mitchell will sing solos. In addition Signor Borzoni, who has not aung in Ciiriatchurob for mauy years, will sing . "Fuuiculi, Funicula," and " Vieni la Mi* Vendetta." Mr Nottingham, a violiwiat of great promise, who has played in Melbourne at .some of tho leading will play Weiriaweki'e "Legenae," and witk Miaa Vartha aud Mr Boamugtoa a trio for violin, piano, and cello. Mr Faulkner, the blind organist, will play an origan solo; and with Mrs Edgar a duet for piano and organ. Mrs Edgar and Miaa Vartha will act aa aooompanUts. Messrs Gardiner and McDonald have given the programmer free of charge. It is to be hoped, in view of the object, <tihati there will be a crowded audiences

At the Opera House to-nighb the first of three representations will bo gives by the Sydenham Operatic Society of *' Lea Cloches dee Uorneville." The opeia will be produced under tho direction of Ml Sparks. The proceeds, ifc is notified, will be devoted to the Brunnsr lielief Fund.

To-niorrow, at the Chamber of Commerce, Mr Bowman's unique collection of Maori curios will be on view at the Chamber oi Commerce. The collection is one of the finest in JNTew Zealand, and aa only a email charge will be made, the proceeds to be devoted to the Brunner Fund, no doubt toasy will take the opportunity of eeeiug ie -

(PRESS AS3OCIATION TKLBQRA.MS.) KUMARA, April 8. The Premier has received the following cable message :—" At a public meeting at) Kalgoorlie laac evening the following resolution wae passed :—That hie Worship the Mayor be requested to wire to the Premier of New Zealand expressing the profound sympathy of the people ou this goldfield with'the relatives of the victims of the Brunner. catastrophe, and their genuine admiration of the cervices rendered by the rescue parties. Being a New Zealandei myself I oinoerely sympathise with the resolution ; also desire to inform you that subscriptions are now being raised here for the widows and VVjxsok, Mayor, Kalgoorlie." The Hon. B* J. Beddoh replied thaukinc; the Kalgoorlie reeidenta for their expressions of sympathy and promise of contributions. WELLINGTON, April 8. The Branner fund now amounts to £965, in addition to which the Evening Post hat collected £511. NAPIER, April 8. The Brnnner fond to date amounts to £321, but many lists have vet to come in. HpKITIKA, April 8. At an interview this afternoon with the Mayor of Hokitika, who with the Mayors ol Greyniouth and Brunner is announced to received contributions for the Brunner disaster, the. Premier suggested that, ac sufficient money was in. hand locally to meeb pressing demands, the amount raieed in other centres efaould be sent to the three Mayors to be put to a trust account until permanent trustees are appointed, or that the Committees elsewhere retain the funds, meantime.' This would disabuse any fear iv the public mind that the funda would not be expended to thoi best advantage. By aa doing the money enbearibed would be at utilised ac to confer' the moat permanent benefit. The Premier received the following tela* gram from Mr A. R. Guinness, member for the Orey district s •-" On fabhttU of BayeeuibuattaU* I .oaAßott aliew jw» to*,.

leave the V?e»t Coast withoub tendering their sincerest and heartfelt gratitude for your prompt and manly conduct and ceaseless exertions in assisting to rescue the sixty five good and true men who lost their lives in the terrible and never to be forgotten Brunner coal mine explosion on March 26th, and also for doing all in your power to alleviate the sufferings of their widows, orphans and friends. Your actions and conduct were only what 1 expected of you, and I desire you to put on record this tribute from mc as some slight ftcknowiodr-ment of the great anxiety which you must have gone through in coanection with this awful caUmity."