THE MINING DISASTER.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9387, 10 April 1896, Page 5

THE MINING DISASTER.

MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

The Executive Committee met ab 4.30 p.m. yesterday, at the City, Council Chambers. Present—His Woa-sbip the Mayor (in the chair), Rev 3. Father Camming!, and VV. Morley, Messrs G. G. Stead (Hon. Treasurer), R. U. BUhop, \V. H. Cooper, G. VV. Russell. M.H.K., J. C. Prudhoe, J. R. Triggs, W. Clirystall, C. H. Williams, VV. W. Collins, M.H.R., G. R. Hart, J. Conual, aud J?. T. Haakius (lion. Sec.) The Chairman* said he had called the j Executive together to consider a telegram ! from the Mayor of Wellington, as follows — "Committee here have expressed opiuiou, by resolution, that as there is no immediate or pressing necessity to send further fuids to Urunnertoo, the various Mayors be communicited with, with a view to ascertain whether in their opiuiou it would not be belter to decide upon soma concerted plan of action, with a view to tho future allocation of the funds raised throughout the colony. Suggestion is put forth with a view to husband the fund in the interests of the beneficiaries. Will you please submit tbi-i question to all who are in charge of funds, aud let mc have an answer?" He had telegraphed some time bsfore to the Mayor ot Brunuerton askiug what had been done in reference to the funds, but had received no reply. He then telegraphed to the Mayor of Brunnerton and had received the followiug reply:— ti Seat of Central Managing Committee, Brunuertou. Committee is represented by prominent; men of Coast. Permaueut officers appointed by meeting held yesterday. Question of trust discussed, majority in favour of Public Trustee. Committee to report as to Trustee acting free of charge, and to report next meeting. Central Committee appoiuted National Bank as bankers. All withdrawals for present to be signed by three members of Committee.—J. Ward, Mayor Brunnerton.'' The Committee would see from this that tho people of the West; Coast had taken action in respect to the dealiug with the funds, and he had called the Committee together to decide what should be done. Mr Stbad said he thought that the Committee ueed not now discuiss the question of the disposal of the funds. In Canterbury they had placed the money in a separate account for the Canterbury district, and he looked upon the Executive as a whole as trustees for the public. Mr RassaLL thought the Committee should proceed to give an indication of the policy which should guide the ultimate disposal of the money, and he would move— " That in the opinion of this Committee the permanent management of the Brunner Relief Fund should be deoided by a Com mittee, consisting of the Mayors of Brunnerton and Greymouth and a delegate from the Committees of Christchurch, Wellington, Dunedin aud Aucklaud. That such Com-

mittee, in considering the future management aud disposal of the fund should have power to advise as to the residence of the beneficiaries and the best form in which benefit can bo dispensed." The Rev. Father Cumminoh seconded the motion. After some discussion, The Rev. W. Morlky moved as an amendment—" That aa the temporary need of the sufferers is ac present provided for by funds already in the hand?, of an Executive at Brunnertou, the Committee is of opinion that; no further definite arrangement as to the appointment of • Trustees is necessary until the fuud is closed. That the Committee considers that conference or correspondence should then be Held between the different centres as to the appointment of permanent trustees and the method of appropriation and management of the fund. The Committees iv the centres meantime banking it to a special account to the credit of the Brunner Relief Fund." Mr C. H. Williams seconded the ameudment. After some discussion, on the suggestion of Mr Hart the words—" That ,this Committee trusts that the exertions for the collection of funds will not be discontinued" were added after the words "until the Fund is closed." The firßt part of the amendment including the words added was then agreed to in the following form:—-"That as the temporary need of the sufferers is at present provided for by fuuds already in the hands of an Executive at Brunuerton, the Committee is of opinion that no further definite arrangement as to the appointment of Trustees is necessary until the fuud is closed. The Committee, however, hopes that the exertions for the collection of funds will not be discontinued."

The other part of the resolution was dropped.

Mr Stkad said that he had to report that up to 3 p.m., he had banked £2716 63 3d. There was iv addition to this some £600 which had gone direct to Brunnerton. With the proceeds of tbe entertainments and the funds which no doubt would yet be collected, the contribution from Canterbury would probably be not far off £5000, which they would admit was exceedingly good. .. Mr Russell, on behalf of the Corresponding Committee, reported. that they had communicated with every road board, borough counoil and public body in Canterbury a_ to collecting subscriptions. He had received a letter from the Ashburton County Council intimating tnat they would collect.

Mr Connali suggested that ib would be a good thing in view of the resolution they had just passed that the various bodies and persons collecting should be asked to remit to the Treasurer of the Canterbury District Committee instead of sending it to Brunnerton. The Entertainment Committee were requested to consider the holding of a monster art union in aid of the fund. Mr W. W. Collins reported that he had collected £10 2s 6d at the Lyceum in aid of the Fund. It was alao reportod that £61 16s 6d had been handed in to the Mayor's Fuud from the Addington Workshops. On the motion of Mr Russbll, ib was resolved—" That collecting bodies be advised that, aa the immediate necessities at Brunnerton are met, it is advisable that moneys in hand should be. held till arrangements for permanent distribution of tbe funds are completed." On the motion of Mr W. H. Cooper, the name of Mr O. W. Exall was added te the Executive. The meeting then adjourned.