SHIPWRECK RELIEF SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13210, 17 February 1905, Page 8

SHIPWRECK RELIEF SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND.

The following is the annual report for the year ending 31st December last: — "Your committee has pleasure in presenting to you tho second annual report and balanco sheet of the Shipwreck Belief Society of Xew Zealand. " During the past your tho society has gone ahead steadily, and a good deal of interest lias been talien in its work. A fair number of new members. havo been enrolled, and, through the assistance of-collections on board tho intercolonial steamers-and other generous donations, the funds have considerably increased. As will be seen from the balance sheet, the accumulated funds of the society amount to i 302 7s lOd, represented by JE7OO on fixed deposit with the Bank of New Zealand, and the balanco in current account and oash in hand. There is also a sum of £1-1 for accrued interest on fixed deposit, which has not been so fat taken into account. Although this is a matter for congratulation at this early stage of the society's history, your committee desires to point out that the funds would very quickly become exhausted were a serious disaster to occur on the New Zealand coast, and they therefore urge upon members, both ill Dunedin and branches, to use every effort to enlist the practical sympathy of the public by securing subscribers to the society and donations to its funds. The New Zealand Government have voted a subsidy for the past year, and the trustees of the Clutha Relief Fund have mo3t considerately handed over to the society the unexpended balance of the. fund. "During the year the society has again been called upon to assist crews of several vessels wrecked in New Zealand waters. In July, 1901, the cutter Margaret Casey was wrecked at Molyneux River. Tho captain and crow'lost most of their effects, and immediate relief was given them by the society'.' The schooner Isabella' Anderson was ' totally wrecked during the same month, and relief to the extent of £14 5s was extended to the crew through the society's Auckland branch. " During the year a branch was formed at Wellington, and this has already administered lelief in two cases of shipwreck—viz., the ship La Bella, wrecked at Lyall Bay in July last, and the s.s. Nambucca, wrecked at Wellington Heads in December. In these cases relief was extended to the amount of £1 ]5s and £10 9s respectively. "The committee cannot close its report without again acknowledging its indebtedness to the captains and officers of Bteamers who have shown their interest in the society's work by substantially augmenting ■ its funds with tlie proceeds of collections at services and entertainments made on board their ships."...