SHIPWRECK RELIEF SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 16824, 28 August 1918, Page 2

SHIPWRECK RELIEF SOCIETY

The quarterly meeting of the executive of the Shipwreck Belief Society of New Zealand was held yesterday afternoon in the secretary's office. Empire Buildings. Mr C. W. Chamberlain presided. Extended leave of absence was granted to Mr G. Fcnwick, president of the society, during the time lie. is away from the Dominion.

The Chairman stated that there was a mass of correspondence to hand with regard to the loss of the Wimmera arid the relief of the surviving members of the crew. It had been agreed that Captain Fleming (marine superintendent at Auckland) should represent the society, with full power to act. According to the accounts before tho meeting, the full amount expended in connection with the relief of the sufferers would be between £1,500 and £2.000. Captain Fleming had expended in ail the sum of £521 out of the society's funds. He ithe chairman) did not know whether the executive would desire to wade through all tho correspondence.— Members expressed their satisfaction at what had been done, and it was resolved that Captain Fleming bo thanked for his action. It was mentioned that a further sum of £lO had been expended by Captain Fleming on behalf of the society for the relief of three members of tho crew of the barque Inverness, who wero landed at Auckland practically penniless.—The action of Captain Fleming was approved. Mr J. A. Johnstone, chairman of the Mercantile Marine Sailors' Fund, addressed a lengthy letter to the executive asking for a contribution to the fund, in connection with which it is proposed to raise £IOO,OOO in New Zealand.—Tho matter was discussed at some length, and Mr J. H. C. Bond then moved a resolution to the effect that, in view of tho magnitude of the subject, a special meeting of the executive be held at a later date to consider tho amount to be donated, and that Mr Johnstone bo invited to attend tho meeting and oxplain the position .and scope 'of the Mercantile Marino Sailors' Fund more fully.—The motion was seconded by Captain Beaumont and carried._ The following sub-committee was appointed for the ensuing quarter : —Messrs T. M. Cullen, W. Clarke, E. C. Hazlett, C. W. Chamberlain, and G. L. Denniston. The committee will have the power to deal with any emergency matters which may arise during tho quarter.