THE TIMARU MURDER

Otago Witness, Issue 3523, 20 September 1921, Page 24

THE TIMARU MURDER

PENSION FOR CONSTABLE DORGAN’S WIDOW AND CHILDREN. TTMARU, September 12. The Hon. E. P. Lee (Minister of Justice) was interviewed to-day by Mr J. Craigie, member for Tnnaru, in connection with the murder of Constable Dorgan. Mr Craigie informed the Minister that a- public subscription was being raised for the widow and children, and he asked that the Government should subsidise this amount. The Minister informed Mr Craigie that definite provision had been made by a pension for the widow and children in these cases, the same pension as for the widow of a. deceased soldier being granted—namely, £2 per week to the widow and 10s for each child under 14. In this case the total would be £3 10s weekly. Mr Lee said that he had brought Mr Craigie’s request before Cabinet on Saturday, when it was decided to supplement this to the extent of £250, the Minister to be satisfied as to the appropriation of the fund. lie suggested to Mr Craigie the advisability of vesting the funds with the Public Trustee, the widow to receive annual proceeds, and on her death the money to go to the surviving children. The Government recognised the plucky action of the constable in carrying out his duty, arid exceedingly regret that he lost his life in doing so. Constable Dorgan was recognised as a very energetic and capable officer. Sympathy had been extended to tile widow and children in their 6ad loss.

Mr Craigie said he hoped the fund would reach £IOOO.