THE KNOX BEQUESTS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 18, 28 October 1908, Page 29

THE KNOX BEQUESTS.

The people of Auckland have had good reason in the past to appreciate* the generosity and public spirit of numerous benefactors who. fortunately for the city and the citizens, have bequeathed some* share of their wealth for the improvement of our public institutions or the support of our charitable foundations. The gifts and bequests connected here for al! time with the names of Sir George Grey and Sir John Logan Campbell, Dilworth and (ostley, Arrowsmith, Elam, MeKeclinie and McKelvie are among our most splendid possessions; ami indeed we may doubt if any city of this size on this side of the world can boast of so many philanthropic and charitable benefactions. The latest addition to these records is the long and valuable series of bequests set forth in the* will of the late Mrs Knox, and a brief scrutiny of the list of items should rejoice everybody sin-

eerely interested in the cause of public charity and philanthropic enterprise. Tin* sum total betpleat lied for such purposes reaches the magnificent figure of close on £70.000. and of this nearly £40.000 has been definitely allocated for various public institutions in Auckland itself. A Home for Incurables will absorb £20.000. which we presume may be combined with the sum of £ 10.000 already set aside for such a purpose under the will of the late Miss Thompson. The balance of the Knox bequest is divided among some thirty-four charities ami public institutions in sums ranging from £2500 for a Night Shell er for Homeless Men, and £l5OO for the Blind Institute, to £3OO for the Sailors’ Home, and £2OO for the Technical College. W e hope that our readers will st inly at their leisure this imposing list; for it may serve to call attention to many deserving charitable institutions, which are doing admirable work for sullering humanitv here, and whose claims, upon us

are too often ’overlooked. But we heartily congratulate them upon the munificent gifts that they have received, ami we congratulate tin* people of Auck land again upon this magnificent addi tion to the long list of public benefac tions already r< corded in Xmkland’s short but eventful history.