THE QUESTION OF A CENTRAL FUND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2396, 1 February 1900, Page 19

THE QUESTION OF A CENTRAL FUND.

The Patriotic Fund Committee, through the mayor, have forwarded the following telegram to the mayors of Auckland, Christclvurch, Wellington, Napier, New Plymouth, Hokitika, Nelson, Blenheim, and Invercargill : — "Ah effort is being made in this province to collect the donations to the patriotic fund from- all. parts into a central fund, for the purpose of being remitted in one amount to London in the course of a few weeks, when the bulk of the collections will be in hand. It is felt that this will have a much better effect in conveying the extent of the contributions than if amounts are sent in driblets from all quarters.- A suggestion has been made that it would be well if the collections throughout the colony could be passed and sent in one sum through the Premier. It would convey a better idsa of New Zealand's contributions than if each district acts independently. Before putting any such proposal forward I shall be glad to have your advice confidentially whether you think the idea would meet with acceptance by the committees acting in your district."

The following replies were received : — Blenheim: Fully in accord. Hokitika: Mayor approves ; will lay matter before committee. New Plymouth: Approve. Christchurch : Regret too late ; half money sent Home. Nelson: Money should remain in the colony. Wellington: Mayor approves; but too late ; most of money sent Home. Napier: Too late; most of money sent Home. Auckland : Feeling of individual members of committee favourable ; will call committee together. Invercargill: Too late. The Dunedin Committee then sent the following telegrams to the above-mentioned mayors through Mr Chisholm : — "My committee desire to thank you for your telegrams. Replies have been received from various centres in the colony stating that their donations have already been separately forwarded, and as it is obviously impossible to make one donation from the colony my committee think that it will be better to make a special effort to concentrate the various donations as provincial instead of colonial."

CONCERT AT HYDE.

A concert in aid of the patriotic fund was held in Mr Harrington's hall on Friday evening. The hall (writes a correspondent) was filled by a very enthusiastic audience. Mr Harrington had lent the building for the occasion, and it had been tastefully decorated with flags and tanners, the red, white, and blue predominating everywhere. Mr P. Kinney occupied the chair. Apologies were read from the Rev. Father Lynch and the Rev. Mr Jamieson. Items were contributed by Messrs Bremner, Foweraker, Moore, Dickison, Gray, W. H. Reade, LaiScins, and Prothero, Mrs C. G. Trotter, Mrs Gray, Miss Mathewson, Miss Howard, Master Agnew, and the school children. During the reading of " The absentminded beggar,' the hat was passed round, resulting in a collection of over £3.

The .concert clo&ed with the singing of the National Anthem.

The subscription list was passed round, and the Chairman announced that the total collected so far from all^ sources was over £32.

The ladies, under the energetic leadership cf Miss Williams, had undertaken the organisation of the concert and provided the refreshments, and carried everything out in a style that could not have been improved upon. Votes of thanks were passed to all who had assisted : Mr Harrington for the use of hall, Mrs Beatly (use of piano), Church Committee (use of organ).