BRUNNER DISASTER RELIEF FUND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCV, Issue 10919, 30 March 1896, Page 4

BRUNNER DISASTER RELIEF FUND.

At last the worst is known regarding the terrible calamity that has overtaken the coalmining population of Bnmnerton, and all that now remains for the people of the colony is to give practical expression to their sympathy with the widowsand children whom the disaster has suddenly deprived of their bread-winners. That a spontaneous and generous charity will place these bereaved ories beyond the fear of want we have not the slightest doubt. So far as Canterbury is concerned the public have no reason to complain of apathy on the part of leading and representative men, and we are certain that those who are organising relief measures will be satisfied with the response to their appeals. The Anglican Bishop, the Mayor of the city and one of the city members of Parliament have, each in his own way and sphere, exerted themselves to place the claims of the Bruuuerton widows and orphans prominently before the public, and to give everyone an opportunity of enjoying “the luxury of doing good.” There are special reasons why Canterbury should give a conspicuously warm expression of sympathy with the sufferers by the- recent disastrous explosion. Westland was at one time a county attached to the province of Canterbury, and this district still has close relations of friendship, and tradp and inter-communication with the West Coast. Our contribution to the Relief Fund ought naturally . to be commensurate with the closeness of the ties that bind us to the people on the other side of the Southern Alps. We - have nothing hut the heartiest commendation for'what has been and is being done in this city and ' district towards the most laudable object of caring for the afflicted and distressed. The churches, the different fad cries., the industrial and commercial establishments, and every kind of organisation are all exerting themselves and.assist.ing in the discharge of this socail duty. ' We hope Unit no one will be'debarred from contributing by lack of" opportunity. There will he no danger of this

occurring within the city, and Mr G. W. Bussell has pointed out how the country districts maybe easily reached. We should like to suggest that all contributions should be solicited and given with some definite understanding as to the disbursement of the fund. It would inspire public confidence if it were known, for instance, that all moneys would be placed in the custody of the Public, Trustee, after the immediate wants of the sufferers have been relieved. The flow of generosity would not suffer by the knowledge that in this way the widows and orphans would become, to some extent, “wards of the State,” and that any surplus remaining after full provision was made, for them, would be retained to meet necessities arising out of like calamitous occurrences in the future. In the meantime, the supreme duty is to give freely; not necessarily in large ' sums, but universally and spontaneously. “ The quality of mercy is not strained,” and the people of New Zealand have shown their, active benevolence in. such a praiseworthy manner whenever they have been called upon that no further words of ours are necessary to commend the various means that are being employed for the purpose of augmenting the Brunner Belief Bund.