THE BRUNNERTON RELIEF FUND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10098, 6 April 1896, Page 5

THE BRUNNERTON RELIEF FUND.

The Newton Band, under Bandmaster Trussell, inarched to the Albert Park yesterday afternoon, and played selectionsof sacrcd music from three o'clock until five, for the purpose of raising subscriptions for the Brunnerton Relief Fund. Some hundreds availed themselves of the opportunity of hearing good music, and responded very liberally when the collection was taken up. The fund will be increased by this generous effort of the Newton Band to the extent of £13 Sis 9d, which has been handed over to his Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. J. Holland). Special collections in aid of the relief fund were taken up yesterday at both services of the Pitt and Vincent-street United Methodist Free Church, anil resulted iu a sum of £2 9s 6d. There is evidently doubt in the minds of many local runners as to the eligibility of outside competitors, providing the same are bona tide amateurs under the N.Z.A.A.A. rules, participating in the forthcoming carnival iu aid of the Hrunnerton Relief Fund, and a letter has been received asking the necessary information. On making inquiry we wero informed that the events at this particular meeting are open to all amateur runners, whether members of the club or not, While on the subject of the carnival, " Schoolboy" has forwarded a suggestion that that the clubs issue special tickets for school children at 3d each, to be forwarded to the headmasters for distribution. Our correspondent believes that a very large number would be sold in this manner," and asks the committee to consider his suggestion. Probably if his Worship the Mayor invites the citizens of Auckland to hold a half-holiday on carnival day, the Board of Education may be persuaded to give theschoo 1 children a half-holiday. It is anticipated by Mr. C. Phillips, secretary of the Licensed Victuallers' Cricket Club, that Saturday's match will result in a »net profit of something like £25 for the relief fund. The Mayor acknowledges the receipt of £5 us from Cousins and Atkin. The sum of £,'{ 5s was collected for the Brunnerton Relief Fund at the Union Free Church serrice in the Domain. In accordance with the wish of the president of the New Zealand Wesleyan Methodist Church, a retiring collection will be made in all tho churches of the Pitt-street circuit on the evening of April 12th for the sufferers by the Brunnerton calamity, [by telegraph.—own correspondent.J Waihi, Saturday. At the termination of the ceremony connected with the opening of the WaihiSilvertoii battery to-day, subscriptions were collected in aid of those bereaved by the recent mining disaster at Brunnei-ton, and within a very short space of time the sum of £12 Is was raised, the principal donors being the employees and directors of the WaihiSilverton Company. . Other subscription lists arc in circulation, and it is anticipated that a very substantial and practical aid will be rendered by the community of Waihi. Thames, Saturday. The local police force have donated the sum of £2 6s to the above fund, which is equal to one day's pay for each man stationed here. The pupils of the Parawai Public School have also contributed £1 4s to the fund. I understand that the collectors who are making an house to house canvas are meeting with considerable success, and a fair sum of money is likely to be collected in that way. Hamilton, Saturday. The children and staff of the Hamilton West School make a special contribution of £2 4s 3d towards the Brunnerton fund.

[BY TELEGRAM.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Wellington, Sunday. Tlio United Friendly Societies held a church parade in Sc. Paul's pro-Cathedral this afternoon when a sermon was delivered by the Bishop of Wellington. The proceeds of the collection are to bo devoted to the Brunner relief fund, which so far amounts to £007 collected locally. CmiisTcmißCH, Saturday. In response to an appeal by the Christchurch Press newspaper hundreds of parcels of toys lid books have been contributed by the children of Canterbury for the bereaved children at Bruunerton. These will be sent to their destination this morning. The following are the donations received up to date in aid of th« relief fund: Christchurch Press Company, £1613 10s 8d ; Mayor's fund, £319 8s 10d; forwarded direct to Bruunerton, £687 3s 3d; Lyttelton Times, £114 3s; other donations, £167 18s3d; total, £2912 53, Press Anioclatlon.-Electrtc Tolegrapli.—Copyrielit. London, April 3. The Hon. W. P. Reeves. Agent-General, is appealing for assistance for the Brunnerton sufferers. ____________