THE PATRIOTIC FUND.

Evening Star, Issue 11152, 30 January 1900, Page 2

THE PATRIOTIC FUND.

THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEET. The Mayor of Dunedin presided over a meeting of the Patriotic Committee held at the Town Hall at 7.30 last night. Mr G. L. Denniston, the treasurer, reported on the present condition of the fund. He said that the total receipts to date were £6,036 14s lid, less expenses £7 12s 6d, leaving a net balance of £6,029 2s sd. Of this there was in the bank £6,016 12s lid, and in hand £l2 9s 6d. The treasurer added that when he received the proceeds of the Brough entertainment and the aquatic fete, together with the results of the one or two private sales, there was £6,350 in sight.— : (Applause.) Detailed reports were received from Mr J. White (as to the result of the aouatic fete), from Mr C. R. Smith (fso.ral fete)*,'and G. R. Ritchie (Brough matinee), from which it appeared that the object with which Ifce Amusements Committee when set up had Th view—viz., the raising of £l,ooo—had been more than realised.

The meeting was interrupted by the holdof the public meeting convened by thp Mayor to consider the question of the advisability of assisting in the despatch of the Third Contingent, and also the best means of aiding the " More Horses " Fund, but was subsequently resumed, when the following report of the work done by the Organising Committee since the previous meeting was read and adopted : Circulars and subscription lists have been sent out to various country towns and districts, which have materially assisted the collecting of money in these parts. Telegrams were sent to different mayors in New Zealand suggesting that the Patriotic Fund should be made a New Zealand one, but that was found to be impossible for various reasons. It is now decided that, the fund shall be sent Home as an Olago contribution when the various centres in Otago shall have sent in their proceeds. Mr Brough having very kindly offered to give a matinee in aid of the fund, the Organising and Amusements Committee jointly took the matter in hand, and have to report a very successful result. Wo have now £193 in hand, with about £l3 to come in from the country, making a total of £2o6—a very handsome donation to the fund. The expenses will be very small, only advertising to bo paid for. Tlie Organising Committee express sympathy with the " More Horses" Fund, and will assist His Worship in any steps he may take to promole it. They,also passed the following resolution to disposal of fund : The Organising Committee, having carefully considered the question of the destination of the fund, havo>»asscd the following resolution as a recommendation to the General Committee:—

The bulk of tho money in the hands of the Committee having been donated for the " Absent-minded Beggar " and thoso dependent upon him, the whole fund, except, such amounts as have been specially donated for other purposes, shall be remitted to the Lord Mayor to be applied to the general fund for the following purposes:

1. For the widows, orphans, and other dependents of officers and men of Her Majesty's forces, including colonial forces, who may unfortunately lose their lives. 2. For the sick and wounded while under treatment. 3. For soldiers and sailors disabled by wpunds, and for those dependent upon them. 4. For the wives and children separated at Home from their husbands and fathers by the exigencies cf the whr. That such moneys as were specially donated for the Refugee Fund or the Horse Fund bo set aside for those purposes. It was agreed to request the country districts proposing to add their contributions to the Otago Patriotic Fund (including the Dunedin fund) to remit, to the general treasurer before the 14th February.

The following were added to the Committee as a General Committee in connection with the raising of the Remounts Fund: Dr Colquhoun, Messrs J. Hazlett, 6. Simiison, D. E. Theoniin, J. H. Cha.pman, J. Moloney, Fred. Stronach, R. Glendining, D. Haynes, Thomas Mackenzie, W. D. vSnowball, and J. C. Cripps.

A proposal is on foot to hold a ccrn'val on some Wednesday afternoon in aid ot the " More Horses" Fund. The idea, we understand, has originated with a number of shop employes who have been debarred from taking any active part in the other demonstrations in aid of the Patriotic Fund, by reason of their being held on Saturdays. The intention of thoso at the head of the movement is that the whole affair should be got up and managed—under the supervision of the General Committee, of course—by the shop employed, it being recognised that the members of former oommitteeß have done all that can reasonably be eipeoted of them. NothiDg definite has been decided as to the exact shape this effort will take, but there Beems no reason why a successful gathering should not eventuate. Balclutha will be en fete to-morrow. In the afternoon patriotic sports arc to bo held on the show ground, and in the evening there will be a mass meeting in M'Kenzie'a Hall, when addresses are to be delivered by Mmw J. W. Thomson, M.H.R., J. Allen, M.H.R , T. Mackenzie, A. S. Malcolm, and the Rev. Father O'Neill.

The Clnttu Fund now stand at £2OB 13s 6d.

The Oamsru fund has reached £Bl6 4s sd. At a patriotic meeting held at Clyde laib week £l2 was collected in the room.