THE TARANAKI BALL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1091, 25 April 1863, Page 3

THE TARANAKI BALL.

TO THE EDITOB OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES.

Sir, —As the subject upon which I write is i public one, I trust you will excuse my again troub ling you. Mr. Ollivier replied to my former letter respecting the Taranaki Bali Fund by asking me to call at hi. office, where, he says, I could see a statement o the account I asked for.

I have not accepted Mr. Ollivier's invitation, no do I mean to do so, as I do not feel called upon ti subject myself to an interview with that gentleman on so disagreeable a subject, especially where there are several individuals whose peculiar business I conceive it to be to call upon Mr. Ollivier tc account for the funds, of which his own letters must lead the public to suppose he has been the recipient. Surely, sir, those gentlemen who put forth their names in the public journals as stewards of a ball to be held in aid of a special charity, having thus induced many persons to attend who might otherwise not have thought of doing so, and some to pay for tickets who had not even an intention of being present, are accountable to the public for the funds raised by means of it. The Ball Committee should publish a list of their receipts and disbursements; and the balance accruing to the charity should, even at the eleventh hour, be applied to the purpose for which it was collected.

To the stewards of the ball, whose names I give below, us taken from one of your publications, I will now leave the responsibility of withholding from the Taranaki sufferers the money realised upon the occasion, be the sum small or great.

The following is an extract from the ' Lyttelton Times,' of September Ist, 1860, where, in its local intelligence, after a eulogium on the indefatigable exertions of the secretary, Mr. Ollivier, the article goes on to say, "We are glad to congratulate the promoters of this ball on the success of the main object in view, namely, the collection of a considerable siuu of money, to be added to the amount already subscribed in aid of the Taranaki Fund, and although the amount of tickets sold gave promise of a larger attendance, the number of people who actually came were quite sufficient to render the dancing pleasant. * * Ihe supper was provided by several contributors, as well as the wine, and the lighting of the Hall was also supplied by private liberality. We hope, in a future issue, to be able to furnish the particulars of the number of tickets sold and the amount collected, which will form a handsome addition to the Relief Fund."

I now, Sir, bid adieu to this subject by referring to a letter inserted in your issue of the 7th Nov., 1860, in reply to a "Subscriber," who it would appear had also asked some impertinent questions. " The amount as yet paid on its account is in my hands, and if he desires to obtain any information in respect to the amount he can have it at any time by calling upon your obedient servant, John Ollivier."

I am, Sir, your obedient servant, TARANAKI.

List of Stewards.—C. Bowen, F. Banks, G. W. Bishop, C. R. Blakiston, W. Bowler, J. Brittan, G. Buckley, T. Cass, A. R. Creyke, H. H. de Bourbel, H. B. Gresson, J. W. Hamilton,. D. Inwood, J. D. Lance, G. D. Lockart, T. W. Maude, B. Moorhouse, J. Ollivier, H. B. Quin, J. C. Watts Russell, H. Ward, J. C. Wilson, W. Wilson, Captain Westenra. Price of ticket, 2ls.