SHIPWRECK RELIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23203, 29 May 1937, Page 27

SHIPWRECK RELIEF

SOCIETY'S ANNUAL REPORT ACCUMULATED FUND OF £14,886 Pleasure at being able to record that the past year had been reasonably free from any serious shipping disaster is expressed in the thirtyfourth annual report of the Shipwreck Relief Society of New Zealand, which has its headquarters in Dunedin. The report states that during the year the society afforded relief to the extent of £227 13s 8d as follows: Crew s.s. Abel Tasman, £l4l lis 9d; crew m.v. Kaiaia, £23 17s 6d; crew scow Kapua, £9 7s 8d; crew scow Tamahae, £l2 15s 6d; additional relief launch Mokau, £25 Os 9d; dependent crew, Rangi, £ls Os 6d. A donation of £lO 10s was also made to the Otago branch of the British Sailors' Society, To the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, Ltd., the society was indebted for the sum of £B6, being donations made by passengers on board the company's steamers, including the sum of £ls, which was a share of the collection made for the inspection of the Orient Company's Orion at Wellington. The committee also gratefully acknowledged donations from harbour boards amounting to £59 12s; also a ■donation of £2 5s from the master and crew of the s.s. Gabriella.

To the representatives in the various ports, the committee was again indebted for the prompt attention given at all times to the affairs of the society. Special thanks were due to Mr S. J. Davis, Greymouth representative, for the valuable services rendered by him on behalf of the society to the crew of the Abel Tasman.

The balance sheet showed the society-to be in a very satisfactory financial position. While the society's position was sound, it had to be recognised that a serious shipping disaster would deplete its funds, and this showed the necessity of the society being in a position to meet such a case.

Great credit had to be given to the founders of the society for their wisdom in establishing an organisation that was in a position to afford immediate relief to those unfortunate enough to be shipwrecked. It would be realised that help in such cases required to be made promptly, and sufferers by shipwreck would be in a most unfortunate position were there not such a society to come to their assistance without any delay. The numerous letters of appreciation from grateful recipients from time to time for the prompt assistance rendered by the society had been greatly appreciated by the committee. • The balance sheet showed that the income for the year amounted to £682 8s 4d,.the biggest item being interest on investments, £506 12s lid. The expenditure was £337 14s 6d, leaving a surplus of £344 13s lOd to carry forward to the accumulated fund, which now stood atj £14,886 19s 6d.