THE BRUNNERTON DISASTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10133, 16 May 1896, Page 5

THE BRUNNERTON DISASTER.

THE' WELLiNGTpN CONFERENCE.

[BY 'TEr,EGRAPH,---PRES3 ASSOCIATION.]

. Wellington, Friday. J At the Brunuer Conference to-day it was J decided, after some discussion, ■that each debate should have one rote The Premier moved that . the Conference proceed to business, and . not' wait for, the Municipal Convention hi July, This was carried on the voices.,. M , . i The Premier moved : "That the funds he paid to the Publio Trustee* and an Advisory Board appointed." Mr., Fisher moved;. "That the fund be placed in the. Public Trustee's hand for administration, and that he be assisted by the Mayors of Grey-mouth, Hbkitlkaj Bruh< nerton and Beefton." Mr. Bland (Bruouerton) said if the funds were placed mine Public Trustee's bands, it would give great satisfaction in his district. 1 Mr. Butbw thought the funds should be allocated, now that the Premier, considered there should be an advisory Board, even from a financial aspect. Mr. Stead suggested that the funds be invested in terminable annuities. This coarse,, he said, found favour in Canterbury. shir Robert Stout urged that this would give too little. butMr.Beswiok thought he underestimated the amount. Mr. Hlslop preferred some scheme of distribution like that adopted in the Wairarapa fund. Mr. FMer's amendment'was lost by nine to five. The Premier's motion was amended to read, "That the funds be handed to the Public Trustee, to be held by him subject to a trust to be deoided by the Conference," and was adopted, The Premier moved, "That Messrs. Bland, Hislop, Stead, Kirk, Gale, and himself be a committee to draw up a draft trust, to be submitted to the Conference to-morrow." This was carried. The Premier moved," That the Mayors of Greymouth, Brunnerton, Ktimara, and Hokitika, with the ohairmen of County Councils at Greymouth and Inangahua, and a stipendiary magistrate, be an Advisory Board, the Governor to have power to appoint members of the Board snould any of the above decline to act." Carried unanl-

mously. ■ Mr. Beswick, Ohristohurch, moved, "That the money be devoted entirely to the purpose for which it was subscribed. The Premier sod several others supported this proposal. Sir R. Stoat moved as an amendment, "That any surplur after the wants of the sufferers are relieved, be the nucleus of a national accident fund." The amendment was lost by seven to six, and the motion was carried on the voices, The Conference then adjourned to 10.30 to-morrow morning, when the draft of the trust will be discussed.

THE ROYAL COMMISSION. Bbonneetok, Friday. At the Commission to-day two miners named Daw and Ward, stated emphatically that after examining the mine they were of opinion that gas was the cause of the explosion, Some discussion ensued between Judge Ward and Mr. Joyce, solicitor for the Brunner widows, with reference to admitting certain evidence. After argument His Honor refused to admit the same.

Gbkymooth, Friday. The Royal Commission have now practi. cally completed their task, and will probably leave by the Grafton on Monday. The weight of evidence is in support of the theory that a blown out-shot oeeurred, igniting the ooal dust, though some witnesses said they found gas as deep as seven feet in the mine. The members of the Commission will probably visit Blackball to-morrow, and the Coal Creek seam of ooal on Sunday.

Chbmchdboh, Friday. The amount of the Canterbury subscriptions now iu the hands of the local treasurer of the Brunner Fund is £6303 12s 9cl. His Worship the Mayor of Auckland acknowledges receipt of the following dona* tions to the Brunnerton Relief Fund:—Pittstreet Sunday-school boys, 10s; Kaeo Lodge 1.0.0. F., A.0., £1; Ramarama Valley Sun-day-school Choir. £1 3s BJd; Mayor of Brisbane, per Union Jank of Australia, £200. The following telegram was received yesterday by Mr. Holland:—" His Worship the Mayor, Auckland. Conference re appointing pormanent trustees Brunner Fund sitting, Kindly wire at onoe—(a) Amoantofsubscriptions already in hand; (b) further amount likely to be oolleaied in your district. B. W. Kane, secretary Conference, Wellington." To this the following reply has been forwarded .—" E. W. Kane, secretary Brunner Conference, Wellington. About £1630 already in hand.. There may be another £50 to come. Auckland committee agrees with decision Utmedin to consider matters at Municipal Conference.— J. Holland, Mayor." We have to acknowledge receipt of £19 8s Id from Mr. Frederick Booth, of Whakataue, being the contribution of Whakatane towards the Brunnerton relief fund. The subscriptions are made up as follow Per Mrs. Butler and others: Concert proceeds, £812s ; F. J. Little's list, £1 10s 64; Miss L. Fisher's list: Mr. Fisher, £1 Is; E. 8., 10s 6d ; smaller amounts, £114s— £3 5s 6d ; Miss Sturtevant ; Balance from Leap Year ball, £1 9s 9dj F. Booth: Public school subscription (scholars and teachers), £2 15s 10d; Geo. Creeke: Mr. Geo. Creeke, £1; Mr. Geo. Simpkins, Ids 6d; smaller amounts, 4s— 14s 6d: total, £19 8s Id.