THE FISHERMEN'S FUND.

Evening Star, Issue 10809, 19 December 1898, Page 2

THE FISHERMEN'S FUND.

In April of 1895 three fishermen named Peter Lawson, Joseph Drake, and John Driver were lost whilst proceeding in » whaleboat to the Nuggets. A public fund was raised for the relief of the widows and children. The trustees paid the debts of the ■widow’s, and, after adjusting Mrs Drivers affairs, finally settled with her, resolving to hold the balance and pay out of it 12s 6d per week to Mrs Drake and 12s 6d per week to Mrs Lawson. Mrs Lawson subsequently re-married, and when the trustees heard of it they declined to pay her anything more, as they considered that by her marriage she and her children were in the meantime provided for. The matter came before Mr justice Pennefather this morning, Mrs Lawson, now Mrs Erdmann, originating a friendly suit to ascertain from the Court whether the trustees were not compellable to pay her the 12s 6d per week. The trustees, through Mr F. J. Sullivan, resisted the application, on the -round that the money was only raised for the relief of distress and that they were not justified in continuing the payments to Mrs Erdmann, because part of the money would probably be appliea for the benefit of her husband. Mr Platts appeared for Mrs Erdmann and Mr Finch for the trustees. The Court held that Mrs Erdmann had no legal right to compel payment ; that the Court would not interfere unless it could be shown’ that the trustees were improperly exercising their discretion; that the papers showed the reverse, namely, that the trustees were exercising their discretion wisely. As costs were not asked for the summons would bo dismissed without costs.