INDIGENT GENTLEWOMEN

Evening Star, Issue 20586, 11 September 1930, Page 7

INDIGENT GENTLEWOMEN

UNIQUE CHRISTCHURCH TRUST EXTENDED OPERATIONS [From Ouk Fakliauihtast Reports*.] WELLINGTON, September .10. An unusual public benefaction came ~rominuntly before Parliament to-day, when Mr H. Holland (CJiristchnrcii North) moved tho second reading 01 tho M'Lean Institute Bill, a private measure which seeks to extend the powers of the trustees of the estate to . arry out the testator’s benevolent plan of maintaining “ gentlewomen, or .vomen of refinement or education, .a reduced or straitened circumstance, and their children not being over the age of ten years.” It was explained by the mover that the late Mr Aka M'Lean wished to benefit a class disinclined to -accept charitable aid, and he had disqualified those who accepted such aid shortly before applying for admission. However, tho outlook to-day was very different. Tho waiting list to the institute was a long one, and necessitated the lapse of years after the first application was made, during which time certain applicants had been forced by extreme poverty to take the pension and forgo their chances of admission. An examination of these cases had forced the M'Lean trustees to the conclusion that m some cases tho very type of person intended to be benefited had been disqualified, and the Bill included the power to vary the trust to that extent. Holly Lea, the testator’s former residence, though a beautiful mansion, was not suitable for its purpose; therefore tho board sought power to sell Holly Lea and devote the proceeds towards the extension of the buildings for the same purpose elsewhere. The - o was au income of £13,000 in the trust, which had also become possessed of a further bequest of £50,000, with the prospect of another £50,000 shortly. This increased revenue would enable provision to be made for more beneficiaries. It was also proposed that tho board have the power financially to assist waiting ladies to avoid the receipt of charitable aid or pension. Holly Lea would 1o sold and tho proceeds applied to dololopments in Fondalton. Mr Howard: Have you a , respective -purchaser? " Mr Holland: I understand that there is a prospect of sale. A CRITICAL VOICE. All tho South Island members should carefully note that in tho Bill, suggested Mr Howard (Christchurch South), the House was being asked to break a will. “If the late Conan Doyle is right and there is a spirit, I hope the late Air M'Lean will let us have evidence that ho is in favour of it.” (Laughter.) Mr M'Combs stated that Mr M'Lean made the bequest for tho specific purEoso of helping poor gentlewomen, ut it seemed to him that the trustees were going right behind his intentions. If Canterbury people were not fully aware of these proposals tho Bill could well wait till next session. Mr Kyle (Iliccarton) explained that the original mansion became too small for the purpose, and the trustees purchased, a property at Fcndaiton „ accommodating twenty-seven inmates, compared with eighteen at Holly Lea. The latter was situated in Colombo street, and was an extremely valuable site. Its sale would enable the trustees to expend more money for the purpose intended by Mr M'Lean, and he could not see why any Christchurch member should take exception to the Bill. Mr Howard; It is a breach of trust. Mr Lysnar (Gisborne) advised members to very cautiously approach any proposal for variation of a trust. It might discourage people’ from leaving funds for public purposes in future. Mr Semple: No will would be safe. ' r r Lysnar declared that unless very good reasons could bo shown for the Bill it should not be passed. It should bo investigated by a select committee. Mr Speaker explained that the Bill had been before a select committee. Mr Wright (Wellington Suburbs) reminded members that the Supremo Court was usually appealed to when the trustees wished to make variations of the terms of a trust. The Bill was read a second time and referred to tho Committee of Selection.