He found that the Penguin Fund (set up for victims of the Penguin shipwreck near Wellington) had an unexpended balance, but calls are still made upon it; and, in any case, any residue is due to a society which has for its object the relief of distress caused by shipwreck, which society contributed largely to the cause in the first instance.
Some funds of long standing have been lodged with the Public Trustee, but he has now power under the deed of trust to apply the funds, surplus or otherwise, to any purpose other than that named in the deed.
Two such funds are those raised by the Brunner disaster and the Kaitangata mining disaster.
Beneficiaries under these funds still live.
In the Kaitangata fund, in 1892, there was a balance of £9875, and, by Act of Parliament in that year, it was provided that this fund should be allowed to accumulate as the nucleus of a coal-mining accidents fund.
To secure any money for patriotic purposes from either of these funds would require a special Act of Parliament.
Recent funds placed under the care of the Public Trustee are those raised for the relief of sufferers by the Huntly mining disaster and the Upper Hutt explosion, but these still serve their original purpose.
• One of the oldest methods of getting money quickly, and with a minimum of effort (the circulation of spurious coins), has been revived by some person or persons in Timaru (says the Timaru Post).
The latest method is meant to be productive of 2s 5d on each coin; but whether any of these have been tendered successfully so far is not known.
The new coin is the modest penny, covered with a coat of mercury, or some other such treatment.
Especially in a good light, this coin looks like a half-crown, and one might be excused for accepting it as such, especially at a busy time, when coins are not looked at minutely.
• An Oamaru resident who has just returned from a tour of the country (says the Mail) states that several of the new settlers on the Omarama Estate have stationed themselves on their selections, while others are busy with their fencing and buildings.
The country, for this time of the year, is looking very well, and the amount of snow is comparatively light.
A fair number of sheep could be seen, and they appeared to be in satisfactory condition.
It is understood (says the Oamaru Mail) that several of the leases of the Upper Waitaki pastoral runs, ranging from 30,000 to 60,000 acres, are due to fall in during the next three or four years.
This is in addition to the Benmore run, which has an area of approximately 300,000 acres, and whose apportionment is almost bound to occur.
These smaller runs, it is stated, are quite capable of being cut up, and it might be expected that the popular wish for subdivision will be given effect to in due course.
• The seaplane built by Messrs L. A. and V. C. Walsh made two flights over the harbour on Sunday from the bay at Orakei, where the machine is housed (says the New Zealand Herald).
In the morning the air was very calm, and a successful flight was undertaken.
The seaplane flew to North Head, thence to Motuihi, up the harbour on the St Heliers side to Campbell's Point, returning thence to Orakei. - ODT, 3.7.1915.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
