THE PATRIOTIC FUND.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9824, 25 July 1900, Page 3

THE PATRIOTIC FUND.

Dunedin's Attitude.

[per press association.]

Dunediht, Last niffht,

A meeting was held to-night of subscribers to the Otago and Southland contingent Fund, to receive the report of the organising committee. It was resolved that the balance of the Contingent Fund be placed in the hands of the organising committee, and be dealt with in the same manner as v may be determined in respect to the Patriotic Fund. The balance of the nurses' fund was placed in trust to catryoutthe intentions of the donors, any surplus to go to the Patriotic Fund. The Patriotic Fund Committee then met, aud the following resolutions were carried unanimously: —"There being stroDg impressions agaiust the Premier's proposal to commandeer the funds, this meeting is of opinion thatfunds remaining in the hands of the patriotic committee are held upon sufficiently distinct and definite trust, namely, to aid in the relief of members of the New Zealand contingents and those dependent on them, and that these funds and all future additions to them can be best administered by local trustees, whose duty would be to see that the Otago and Southland men receive first consideration, and then to assist other centres it the funds will allow of it, and this meeting desires to protest strongly against any attempt >o the usage of fuuds collected in this district in any common fund for the whole colony as being contrary to ihe wishes of subscribers."

" That in the opinion of this meeting the administration of the patriotic funds should be in the hands ef the organising committee, and that the fundo should be invested in the name of the Mayor and two other members as trustees, to be held at the disposal of the committee for the purpose declared in the first resolution, and that the committee be authorised to appoint trustees accordingly and vest the funds in them, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Premier and the Otago and Southland members." It was resolved to convey to Mr Filcher the appreciation by the people of Otago of the many valuable services rendered by him to the New Zealand troopers and nurses in South Africa ; that the directors of the South British Insurance Company be also thanked for affording Mr Pilcher an opportunity of displaying his unselfish patriotism.