IN RE THE FRATER FAMILY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1101, 10 December 1884, Page 3

IN RE THE FRATER FAMILY.

(To the Editor.)

Sib, — Many of the readers of your columns will hare remembered that the tragically sad death of the late Mr John Prater, miner, Marawhenua, some months ago, deprived his widow and ten children (almost all of whom are of tender years) of their breadwinner. Even sad as this fact is, it is intensified by the heavy burdens that encumbered the estate of the deceased. The only possible source of revenue that remained to the familj was a mining claim, water-raoe, &c.,a1l of which are very heavily mortgaged, so that at present matters are in a very sad pass indeed. As if these circumstances of unmitigated pain were not sufficient, it appears that one of the creditors ha 3 had a judgment summons executed upon the above-named property, and now, unless some effectual means are promptly devised to secure the future sustenance of the family, the whole of the estate will have to go to the hammer, and the consequence will be that, after deducting the lawful liabilities from the total amount realised upon the sale, the widow and ten orphans will be absolutsly without the neoessary means of existence. Surely a generous and sympat hetic public will p -event such a threatened calamity by coming forward in the nick of time and playiDg the part of th.c Good Samaritan in the interest! and towards the well-being of eleven souls, and thereby diminish the sum total of human puin. We will, therefore, thank you to open a subscription-list in your columns for tbe above object. A hundred pounds will avert great sorrow and misery from a most deserving, though heavily afflicted, family, Surely each of your readers will give his or her mite for so good a cause. Kindly take charge of all donations for that end that may reach your hands. The Rev. B. A. Gifford, parsonage, Oamaru, and H. W. Robinson, Esq., R.M., of the same place, may be referred to in support of the statement of the case. — We are, &c, W. A. Gobdon Macphbhsok, M.A. Chi.bz.es F. Robehts. Livingstone, via Oamaru, 4fch December,