GOOD SAMARITANS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 319, 8 July 1912, Page 6

GOOD SAMARITANS.

A STRICKEN FAMILY. Auckland, July 4. A little over four months ago the : iory of the misfortunes of the Funnell umily were published. It will be remembered that sickness overtook the unhappy family. One by one they were smitten with typhoid fever; the father, mother and four children were taken to the Auckland hospital; two children escaped the dread complaint, and were looked after by a young widow who was boarding with the Fimnells. Then more trouble ensued. A creditor stepped in, and in spite of portests from the widow, seized nearly all the furniture of the distressed family, thus absolutely breaking up the home. The story of their troubles aroused a wave of sympathy over ihe whole of the North Island, with the result that nearly £3OO, besides odors of furniture, groceries, clothing and other goods wero received.

The sequel is full of promise. The family have been restored to health, and they have been reunited ill a happy home amidst pleasant surroundings after enforced separation. The father and mother are extremely grateful for all that has been done for them. The money collected for their benefit has been ably administered by the Rev. XV. E. Gillam and Mr. Garland, who acted as trustees for the fund, collected at the Herald office and by Mr. Gillam. This fund amounted to £228. With this the trustees have bought eleven cows on behalf of Mr. Funnell. These cows are grazed at a cost of 2s per week per cow on a large section near Mount llobson. belonging to the Dilworth Trust. In the vicinity, on the llemuera road, is the home of the family, a comfortable house of seven rooms, for which 22s 6d per week is paid. This is a high figure, but the cost to the Funnells is only 10s per week, for one of the rooms has been sublet to a married couple for 12s 6d.

The house has been plainly but comfortably furnished by the Auckland. Benefit Entertainers' Society, who collected over £OB to tide the family over their distress.

Mr. Funnell has a regular buyer for his milk, and after paying his rent and grazing fees a balance every week is left of 3ns for the household expenses. Tn the summer months the quantity of milk given by the cows will be greater, and he expects to make £2 clear per week.