NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA: GRANT FROM LLOYDS' PATRIOTIC FUND.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1900 Session I, H-06p

H.—6p.

1900. NEW ZEALAND

NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA: GRANT FROM LLOYDS' PATRIOTIC FUND.

Laid upon the Table of both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., Sir,— 28th May, 1900. Eeferring to my letter of the 30th December last, I beg to transmit herewith copy of letter which I have received from the Secretary of Lloyds' Patriotic Fund, enclosing cheque for £600, amount of preliminary grant for the benefit of the disabled officers and men of the New Zealand Contingent. In acknowledging the receipt of this contribution I have stated that I am not as yet in possession of any information as regards the existing number of cases in respect of which this money would be applicable, but that later on my Government would no doubt supply me with the necessary particulars. I may say here that, officially, I have received little or no information as regards the composition of the forces that have been sent from New Zealand to South Africa, but I gather from the newspapers that the commandants of the contingents report from time to time to the Government, and I would therefore ask that the actual figures may be officially communicated to me, so as to place me in a position to reply to such inquiries as have been made by the Secretary of Lloyds' Patriotic Fund. The £600 contribution has been paid into the Public Account. I have, &c, Eight Hon. the Premier. W. P. Beeves.

Enclosure. Deab Sic, — Lloyds' Patriotic Fund, 1803, Brook House, Walbrook, E.G. I beg to inform you that my trustees have made a preliminary grant of £600 for the benefit of the disabled officers and men of the New Zealand Contingent now serving in South Africa, for which amount I enclose cheque, and shall be much obliged if you will kindly forward the amount to the proper quarter in New Zealand, and acknowledge receipt. My trustees feel that owing to the many differences in the conditions of service of the Imperial and colonial forces, the distributions of the amounts which they may contribute must be left to the colonial relief associations ; but I am requested to point out that the Lord Mayor, when opening the Mansion House Fund, decided "that all contributions handed over to Lloyds' Patriotic Fund should be applied for the relief of men disabled by wounds, for their benefit after they leave the service." My trustees request therefore that the benefit of any contributions which they make may be extended only to men of the New Zealand Contingent who may be disabled by wounds, accident, or disease in the present war in South Africa. Up to the present time my trustees have been unable to obtain sufficiently accurate information as to the number of cases which will be entitled to assistance from this fund to enable them to estimate the exact proportion of the funds at their disposal which they will be able to contribute to the Colony of New Zealand. Therefore, in making this contribution my trustees desire me to assure you that they sincerely hope that they may shortly be enabled to add to it, their intention being to give equal consideration to the disabled men of the Imperial and colonial forces, and in case of the latter to leave the distribution of relief in the hands of such committee as may be appointed by each colony. I shall be much obliged if you will kindly inform me from time to time of the number of men disabled in the New Zealand Contingent. I remain, &c, John C. Adams, Secretary The Agent-General for New Zealand. (Late Lieutenant E.M.L.1.). Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (1,200 copies), 17s.

By Authority : John Maokay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oo. Price 3d.]