THE BRUNNER FUND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5566, 15 May 1896, Page 3

THE BRUNNER FUND.

THE WELLINGTON CONFERENCE. [Per Press Association.! .WELLINGTON, May 15. At the Brunner conference it was decided, after, some discussion, that each delegate should have one vote. . The Premier moved that the, conference pro-, ceed to business, and ; not wait, for the municipal convention in July. Mr Duthie moved to defer matters till the municipal conference meets. The Premier's . motion was carried on the voices. . The Premier moved that the fund be paid to the Public Trustee, and that an Advisory Board be appointed. Mr Fisher moved that the fund be placed in the Public Trustee's hands for administration, and that he be asnisted by the Mayors of Greymouth, , Hokitika, Brunnerton and Eeefton. Mr Bland (Brunnerton) said that if the funds were placed in the Public Trustee's- hands, it would give great satisfaction in his district. Mr Duthie thought that the fund should be allocated now. The ' Premier considered that there should be an Advisory Board, even from the financial aspect. Mr Stead suggested that the fund should be invested in terminable annuities, as this course found favour in Canterbury. Sir E. Stout urged that this would give too little, but Mr Beswick thought he underestimated the amount. Mr Hislop preferred some scheme of distribution like that adopted in the case of the Wairarapa fund. Mr Fisher's amendment was lost by nine to five. " The Premier's motion was amended to read :—" That the funds be handed to the Public Trustee* and be held by him subject to a trust to be decided by the Conference," and was adopted. Mr Stead moved — " That the money be invested in terminable annuities," but this, after a "brief discussion was withdrawn. The Premier moved — "That Messrs Bland, Graham, Hislop, Stead, Kirk, Gale and himself be a committee to draw up a draft trust to be submitted to the conference to-morrow." This was carried. The Premier moved — " That the Mayors of Greymouth. Brunnerton, Kumara and Hokitika, with the Chairmen of the County Councils of Greymouth and Inangahua, and- the Stipendiary Magistrates be the Advisory Board, the Governor to h_ave power to appoint members of the Board should any of the above decline to act." Carried unanimously. Mr . Beswiclr, Christchurch, moved — " That the money be devoted entirely to the purpose for which it .was subscribed." The Premier and several others supported this. Sir E. Stout moved an amendment — " That any surplus after the wants of the sufferers are relieved, be the nucleus of a national accident fund. The amendment was lost by seven to six, and the motion carried on the voices. The conference then adjourned until 1Q.30 to-morrow morning, when the draft of the trust will be discussed. Tho sub-committee will meet, this afternoon.