THE BRUNNER DISASTER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1263, 14 May 1896, Page 18

THE BRUNNER DISASTER.

A meeting of the Executive Committee of tho Brunner Relief Fund was held on Monday afternoon, the Mayor of Wellington in the chair. The Secretary stated that tho total amount collected in Wellington and district was £3120 4s 7d. The Mayor said that the amount subscribed by Wellington was very creditable, it was not expected that Wellington would equal Christchurch, but it was a creditablo second, lie moved, "That it is desirablo that tho whole of the fund collected in tho Wellington district should be applied to the relief of the sufferers from tho Brunnertou disaster." He said that tho question had arisen whether any of the money raised should bo applied to other cases of accident. To his mind it was unreasonable to expect any such thing.

The number of men killed by the Kaitangata disaster was 31, leaving 21 widows and 81 children, whereas by the Brunuerton disaster (j(i men were killed, leaving 44 widows and 180 children. If tho interest from the Kaitangata Fund was found insufficient for the support of beneficiaries, it would bo seen how essential it was that tho whole of tho present fund should be used exclusively for the sufferers by tho Brunnerton disaster.

Sir Robert Stout moved as an amendment, "That in the opinion of this meeting the funds collected should bo first applied for the relief of tho sufferers from tho Brunnerton disaster, but if, after such relief, it is found there is any balance, it should bo applied for mining accidents generally."

The amendment was carried. On tho motion of Sir Robert Stout, the Mayor of Wellington and Mr T. W. Gale were appointed delegates to represent Wellington at the Conference to be held for tho purpose of deciding on the disposition of the funds.

Votes of thanks were passed to tho collectors and tho secretary. The following further contributions to tho Citizens'Fund have been received:— Collected by members of the Boys' Institute, £1 7s ; Professor Kirk, £2 ; collected by Mrs Griffiths, £1 1= Gd. Messrs Kirkcaldio and Hill (fuither collection)—Dresden Company, £2 2s; small amounts Queen's Hotel, 12s 6d : total, £2 Ms 6d. Archbishop Redwood, £5. Grand total to date, .£2518 Us 6d.

The Brunner Relief Fund now amounts to over i.'BOU iii Melbourne. Creat dissatisfaction is felt in Greymouth at the exclusion of tho press from tho Brunner Commission.

At a meeting of the Dunedin Conmiitloo, it. was resolved to telegraph to tho Premier suggesting that the pi.iii of distribution of the mud deleft to tin; Municipal Conference, to meet in Wellington in July. Tho Treasurer reported that the Dunedin list to dato amounted lo over ,£204~>, and that, including lists to como in, the sum will be over JC'IOIX). The .subscription of the Post an I 'i'elogtapll I 'ejMi lllll'llt < i the < 'ololiy to t lio [..runner Fund now exceeds £<>\. due list is not vet el'.-.' d.