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Report of the Shetland Relief Committee.
Printed at the "Shetland Times" Office, Lerwick,
Report of the Shetland Relief Committee,
The boats engaged in the prosecution of the "haaf" or deep-sea home fishing in Shetland, and locally known as "sixerns," are of a build peculiar to the Islands, and closely resemble the Norwegian yawls. Slimly built, about six and a half feet broad, and three feet deep, and with from twenty to twenty-one feet of keel, they are manned by six men, and carry a large lug sail containing about sixty yards of canvas. Although from their frail appearance they are not used by south-country fishermen, the Shetlanders, accustomed to them from infancy, manage them with consummate skill, and make marvellous voyages in them on the dangerous and boiling seas which surround their coasts.
On the night of Wednesday the 20th July, 1881, the whole of the haaf fleet belonging to the North Isles was at sea. The day had been fine and the air warm. Some heavy showers had fallen towards evening, but except for a heavy swell on the sen, supposed to have been caused by the rain, there were no indications of an approaching storm. Between ten and eleven most of the boats were from forty to sixty miles out at sea. Some of the smaller ones had hauled their lines, and were making for the land with their fish; others were setting their lines, when all at once, and without any warning—"like the shot of a pistol," as it was described by an eye-witness—a violent storm from the north-north-west broke upon them. Between midnight and one o'clock A.M. on Thursday, the gale was at its height. About the latter hour it commenced gradually to moderate. So suddenly had wind and sea arisen that some of the crews had not time to reef their sails, and had to set them for land just as they were. Thus over-rigged, they staggered and plunged onward. In some cases they reached the shore in safety. One, however, sweeping on before the gale in this perilous trim, became unmanageable. Her rudder was lifted out of the water; she broached round, and a gust of wind taking her sail aback, she was instantly swamped, and her crew left struggling in the sea. Many of the boats which reached the shore owed their safety to being ballasted with fish. The fish floated the boats while they were being emptied of water. The crews of others
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broke the livers of the fish they had caught, and cast them into the sea to calm in the waves.
- Boat I., belonging to Gloup, North Yell—Alexander Henry, skipper; Thomas Henry, Sandwick; William Williamson, Gutcher; Thomas Henry, Houlland; Arthur Moar, Mursetter; and Robert Williamson, Colvester.
- Boat II., belonging to Gloup—William Spence. skipper; Laurence Williamson, Colvester; Alexander Danielson, Kirkhoull; George Moar; Andrew Robertson; and Thomas Tulloch.
- Boat III., belonging to Gloup—Laurence Danielson, skipper; Laurence Williamson, Westafirth; Basil Hay, Mursetter; James Nicolson, Sellafirth; William J. Williamson, Gloup; and Daniel Moar, Gutcher.
- Boat IV., belonging to North Yell—Alexander Robertson, skipper; Alexander Moar, Cullivoe; Basil Anderson, Houll; William G, Anderson, Houll; James W. Spence, Cullivoe; and Alexander Moar, Breckon.
- Boat V., belonging to North Yell—Andrew Anderson, skipper, Gutcher; Andrew Moar, Gutcher; Peter J, Williamson, Houlland; Thomas Hay, Burrabrake; Andrew Moar, Huefield; and Thomas Bain, Midbrake.
- Boat VI., belonging to East Yell—William Henry, skipper; Peter Williamson, Neepoback: James Jamieson, East Yell; Basil Gardner, East Yell; James Sinclair, Cullivoe; Andrew Nisbet, Sandwick, (boy).
- Boat VII., belonging to Mossbank, at Fethaland—Isaac Gifford, skipper; James Blance, Mossbank; Robert Williamson, Innhouse; James Robertson, Firth; Alexander Beattie, Firth; John Nicolson, Swinister; and Gilbert Cooper, Firth.
- Boat VIII., belonging to Ollaberry, at Heylor—Andrew Copland, skipper; John Tulloch, Ollaberry; Magnus Sandison, Ollaberry; Laurence Inkster, Ollaberry; Thomas Anderson, Queyfirth; and Gideon Anderson, his son.
- Boat IX., belonging to Haroldswick—James Thomson, skipper; Magnus Thomson, Haroldswick; David Johnson, Haroldswick; James Jamieson, Haroldswick: William Anderson, Haroldswick; and Laurence Priest, Norwick.
- Boat X., belonging to Havera (inshore fishing)—Walter Jamieson, skipper; Walter Jamieson, junior; and James Smith.
The total number of widows, children, and persons dependent upon the deceased fishermen is as follows:—Widows, 34; Children, 85; Dependents, 14.
Charles Rampini, Sheriff-Substitute; Major T. M. Cameron of Garth, Convener of the County of Zetland; G. H. B;. Hay of Hayfield; Commander LeCocq, R.N., Fort Charlotte; John Robertson, senior, merchant; Arthur J. Hay, merchant; William Irvine, merchant; F. D. A. Skae, M.D.; Alexander Pole, M.D.; The Rev. Robert Walker; The Rev. A. R. Saunders; Alexander Mitchell, Union Bank; J. Scott Smith, Sheriff-Clerk; J. Kirkland Galloway, Procurator-Fiscal; Alexander Macgregor, Solicitor; Arthur Laurenson, merchant; Charles Robertson, merchant; Arthur Sandison, Town-Clerk; J. B. Laurence, merchant; John Leisk, merchant; Robert Sinclair, merchant; Alexander Sandison, merchant; Andrew Sandison, publisher; Andrew Smith, merchant; Joseph L. Pole, merchant.
- Convener of Committee—Sheriff Rampini.
- Treasurer—Alexander Mitchell, Union Bank of Scotland, Lerwick.
- Secretary—J. Scott Smith, Sheriff-Clerk.
be available in cases of similar disaster in the future. The following gentlemen were appointed local Treasurers:—
London.—Thomas Edmondston, Esq. Edinburgh and Leith.—James Shand, Esq. Glasgow.—Thomas Stout, Esq. Aberdeen.—Charles Merrylees, Esq. Liverpool.—R. P. J. Simpson, Esq.
From the first the response to the Committee's appeal exceeded their most sanguine expectations. The generous example of Mr Samuel Fielden, of Manchester, to whom the most grateful thanks of the Committee are due—who, on hearing of the disaster, at once sent the magnificent donation of £500 to be applied to the immediate relief of the sufferers by the calamity—was promptly and liberally followed. Special collections were made in every Church throughout Shetland. An appeal to the Primus and Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church was generously and readily acceded to, and collections instituted in the various places of worship throughout their respective dioceses. The clergy of the various other denominations throughout Scotland, unasked, imitated their example. Subscription lists were also opened by the Corporations of Edinburgh and Glasgow, the Town Councils of Greenock, Paisley, Stornoway, &c., the Commissioners of Supply of Orkney, and the Town Council of Kirkwall.* An important addition to the Fund was made through the kind exertions of Sir Robert Anstruther, Bart., of Balcaskie, Pittenweem. In many places subscription lists were voluntarily started by private individuals interested in the Islands. Messrs J. & G. Stewart, Leith, and Mr John B. Leask, Leith, the Rev. J. W. Macwilliam, Letherhead, and many others, were instrumental in adding large sums to the Committee's Fund. A party of tourists visiting Shetland in Messrs Langlands' s.s. "Princess Royal" contributed £22 10s. Collections were also made on board the steamships belonging to the North of Scotland and Orkney and Shetland Steam Navigation Company, running between Leith and Lerwick, and the s.s. Earl of Zetland, trading to the North Isles. From the Press throughout the kingdom the utmost assistance was obtained. Subscription lists were, opened at the offices of the Dundee Advertiser, the Aberdeen, Free Press, the North British Daily Mail, the Stirling Journal, the Greenock Advertiser, the Christian, and others.
In England sympathy took a no less practical shape. The Ship-wrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Society immediately opened a special fund, heading the list with a subscription of £100. To this fund Her Majesty the Queen subscribed £25, and the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of Edinburgh also contributed, while the Corporation of London subscribed £100. The total sum collected by the exertions of this Society amounted to £766 4s 9d.
Samuel Ling, Esq., M.P.; John Pender, Esq., M.P.; R. G. C. Hamilton, Esq.; Alexander Ludovick Irvine, Esq.; Rev. Alexander Sandison; and Thomas Edmondston, Esq.
* Note.—No remittances have been received from the latter twe bodies.
County, while Mr Edmondaton acted as Honoray Treasurer, they were enabled by their exertions to add a very considerable sum to the Shetland Relief Committee's Funds. A large sum was also received from members of the "Baltic Coffee House," London.Much substantial aid also came to them from the Colonies. A Shetland Relief Fund was established in Melbourne. The Caledonian Society of Adelaide, South Australia, exerted themselves to collect subscriptions; and remittances were also forwarded from Tasmania and New Zealand. Messrs W. & J. Irvine, of Launcesten, New Zealand, forwarded two tons of oatmeal to distribute among the bereaved families, while the National Bible Society of Scotland presented each widow with a large type, and each son or daughter with a small type, Bible.
In addition to the sums obtained from the Committee the bereaved families were supplied with clothing and bedding by the Yorkshire members of the Society of Friends, and assistance also was given them from other quarters.
To aid in the formation of a Permanent Fund the sum of £107, being the balance of the Shetland Destitution Fund of 1817—51, was handed over to the Committee by W. F. Skene, Esq., W.S., LL.D., the Secretary.
To all these various bodies and persons the Relief Committee tender their sincere and grateful thanks.
On the 7th December, 1881, when the Relief Committee was dissolved, and the Shetland Fishermen's Widows' Relief Fund was established, the total amount of subscriptions received by the former body amounted to £11,683 14s 5d.*
For Unst.—Mr John Spence, Haroldswick; and Mr Alexander Sandison, Uyeasound.
For North Yell.—Mr P. M. Sandison, Cullivoe.
For Mid Yell.—The Rev James Barclay, and Mr Thomas M. C. Pole, Gardiesting.
For South Yell.—The Rev. John Watson.
For Deltin'G.—Messrs Polo Hoseason & Co., Mossbank; Messrs Thomas M. Adie & Sons, Voe; Mr James Inkster, Brae; and Mr Thomas Gifford, Busta.
For Northmavine.—Mr John Anderson, Hillswick; Mr Gideon Nicolson, North Roe; Mr George Sinclair, and the Rev. P. H. Russell, Ollaberry; and the Rev. James Fraser, Sullom.
These gentlemen were at a subsequent period, along with the local Treasurers in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee, and their respective local Committees, appointed ex officio members of the Committee.
In addition to these sources of information one of the members of the Committee—Mr J. Kirkland Galloway, Procurator Fiscal—visited the bereaved families, and made a report to a meeting on the 4th August No portion of the expense of this visit was borne by the Committee.
* The sum received up to date (5th January, 1882) amounts to £12,497 12s. The Edinburgh collections are not yet to hand.
The first care of the Committee was to provide for the immediate necessities of the distressed families, and that was done under the personal superintendence of the Local Agents. All sums specially contributed for immediate relief, or for the inhabitants of specified districts, were expended in accordance with the wishes of the donors. A sum of £533 8s was expended on mournings for 255 persons.
Questions having arisen, and claims having been made upon the Committee to discharge or buy up the debts of the deceased fisher-men, the Committee on the 14th September resolved as follows:—"(1) That they would not hold themselves responsible for the debts of the deceased fishermen: (2) That in their grants of alimentary relief they would not take into consideration the fact that the deceased men were, or were not, members of the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Society: and (3) that they would not entertain any claim made against the representatives of the deceased fishermen on account of the loss of the boats"—many of which were, in accordance with the custom of the country, hired out to them for the fishing season.
In order to ensure the bereaved families in the occupation of their houses, till they were able to decide as to their future movements, the Committee on the 21st October resolved: "(1) That the rents of the bereaved families should be paid for this year only, either in whole or in part, according to the recommendation of the Local Agents in the Schedules laid before the meeting: (2) That where the rent is paid in full an assignation of the landlord's right of hypothec should be taken from the landlord: (3) That the rent, or proportion of rent, should be paid by the Agent to the landlord direct, and a receipt taken from him for the same: and (4) that in cases where the rent exceeded £2, the Committee reserved the right to themselves to make such deductions from the annual grants to be made to the widows or other dependents of the deceased fishermen, for the purpose of equalising the payments to each family, as they might subsequently think fit."
The Committee having determined to grant pensions to all the widows, to all children under fourteen, and to certain persons directly dependent upon the deceased fishermen, and whose age or circumstances seemed to justify this expenditure, Mr P. Sievwright, Assistant Actuary to the Standard Life; Assurance Company, was requested to prepare a Scheme showing the amount required for this purpose—the pensions to be granted on the following conditions:—(1) that the pensions to widows, fixed at 2s 6d per week, should be for life, or to cease on second marriage; (2) that those to children, fixed at 1s 6d per week, should be conditional on their being sent regularly to school, and living in family with their mother; and (3) that those to dependents, fixed at from 2s 6d to 1s 6d, according to circumstances, should be for life also.
The Actuary's Scheme, a copy of which is hereunto annexed (Appendix I.), having shown that a sum of about £6000 would be needed for this purpose, the Committee, in order to have
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an ample margin, appropriated £7000 to thin end.
The total amount collected being larger than was necessary thoroughly and efficiently to relieve the existing distress, the Committee felt themselves warranted in appropriating the balance—after setting aside the above sum of £7000, and deducting all disbursements up to date—to the formation of a Permanent Fund, in accordance with their intentions set forth in their Subscription Lists. A sub-committee was accordingly appointed to prepare the Rules and Regulations of the Shetland Fishermen's Widows' Relief Fund, and at a Special Meeting called for the purpose on the 29th November, these Rules, carefully framed to avoid trenching on the ground occupied by the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, were finally adjusted and approved. A copy of these is attached to this Report (Appendix, II.).
It was also resolved that the Shetland Fishermen's Widows' Relief Fund should be registered under the "Friendly Societies Act" of 1875.
Directors, ex officio.—Charles Rampini, Sheriff-Substitute of the County; Major Thomas Mount Cameron, Convener of the County and Chief Magistrate of the Burgh of Lerwick.
Directors.—William Irvine, John Robertson, sen., Arthur Laurenson, Arthur James Hay, John Leisk, James Burgess Laurence, Arthur Sandison, John Bruce, Jun., Charles Robertson.
Sheriff Rampini was subsequently appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Mr Alexander Mitchell, Secretary and Treasurer. The Right Hon. the Earl of Zetland was also elected Patron.
By the establishment of the Shetland Fishermen's Widows' Belief Fund, the Shetland Relief Committee ceased to exist.
An abstract, showing the receipts and the disbursements of the Committee during its existence, is appended. (Appendix III.)
Charles Rampini
, Convener.
Appendix I.
Actuary's Report.
The Committee of Management of the Shetland "Relief Fund" having requested me to estimate the sums required to meet the allowances to widows and families of fishermen lost in the gale of 20th July last, the Convener of the Committee has furnished me with a schedule of particulars of the ages of the persons to whom they have decided to give relief. These persons are (1) widows, 34 in number, who will be allowed 2s 6d per week for life, the grant to cease if they marry again; (2) certain dependents, 16 in number, whose circumstances justify the expenditure, seven of whom are to be allowed 2s 6d per week, and nine 1s 6d per week for life without any condition annexed; (3) children under 14 years of age, 42 sons and 43 daughters, who are to be pensioners at the rate of 1s 6d per week until they attain that age; two who are imbecile are to be pensioners for life. To this grant are annexed the conditions that they shall attend school regularly, and that they shall reside in family with their mothers.
The Committee desire to be informed—"(1) the total amount of the sum required to be set apart, and (2) the amount of the annual expenditure." I append a list showing in detail the annual amount and the calculated present value of the weekly allowances to each family and each member of it.
It is necessary that I explain to the Committee on what assumptions of mortality and interest the estimate of present values proceeds. First, As regards the rate of mortality—After careful consideration and comparison of various recognised mortality tables, I resolved to adopt, as most suitable in the circumstances, the tables for males and females of the Registrar General based on the national statistics (known as the English Life Tables, No. 3) as those according to which the lives will die off. I am aware that Dr Cowie, in his work on Shetland, claims for the Islands a rate of mortality lower than for other parts of the kingdom, but had he extended his observations over a series of years instead of taking the Registrar's figures for one year only, I think it probable he would have modified his views on that point. Bearing in mind the unfortunate position in which the poor widows are placed, I do not think that they can be said to have any greater expectation than the female population of the country generally; and it is very probable that the dependents are under, rather than over, the average of lives. I do not, therefore, think it necessary to use a table requiring larger sums to be set against
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engagements. I do not know of any table that better measures the value of life of young persons of thè class to which these, children belong than the English table. Second—As regards the rate of interest—I have assumed 3 per cent, as the rate at which the funds will be improved. I am aware that considerable sums will have to be kept in Bank on deposit, and also on current account, so as to be easily available for the purposes of the Fund, and therefore earning a small return. Keeping that in view, and looking to the present prospects of the money market, I do not think that a higher return can be safely calculated upon; but I think that that rate can be obtained. It will be understood that if any portion of the Fund is earning a lower rate other portions must be invested so as to yield a sufficient surplus above 3 per cent, to make up an average of at least 3 per cent, upon the entire funds.
I am at a loss to know what deduction to make from the value of the allowances to the widows on account of the possible forfeiture by re-marriage. It will depend on circumstances, the force of which I am not in a position to measure, how far relief to the Fund is to be looked for from that cause. As a question of mere probabilities, the likelihood of any relief is very small. Of the 34 widows, nine only can be said to be within the marrying age. I have deducted £100, which the Committee may consider sufficient. I imagine that the Committee do not contemplate continuing the allowances to the widows throughout life, should the circumstances not refluire. There may be some relief in this way.
| Amount. | Present Value. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To widows | £221 | 0 | 0 | £3170 | 11 | 1 |
| Deduct for forfeiture by re-marriage | 100 | 0 | 0 | |||
| £3079 | 11 | 1 | ||||
| To dependents | 80 | 12 | 695 | 13 | 6 | |
| To sons £163 16—£1168 12 3 | ||||||
| To daughters £167 14—£1008 19 | 331 | 10 | 0 | 2177 | 11 | 3 |
| Total | £633 | 2 | 0 | £5952 | 15 | 10 |
The annual expenditure at present will be £633 2s, and I am of opinion that a capital sum of £6000, invested as stated, will suffice to provide the allowances proposed. I have included in the estimate a sum to cover possible liability on account of children yet to be born to three of the widows. I have also made allowance in the calculation for the payment of weekly instalments.
I assume that the ages have been correctly given. If the widows or dependents have overstated their ages, the amount required to meet the allowance is under estimated, but the Committee will know if care was taken to arrive at the correct ages.
In this estimate I have made no provision for the expense of managing the fund, as I have no instruction on the point. For every £10 of annual charges there would have to be added to the above £200, being the capitalised amount of 20 years' purchase which I would consider a fair valuation. The Committee, however, may be of opinion that the expenses might be left to form a charge on the
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surplus interest above 3 per cent, realised on the investments. If it is resolved to provide for them in that manner ½ per cent, of margin will give £30, and 1 per cent. £60 per annum on the present amount of the Fund; but of course it will be understood that the expenses must decrease concurrently with the decrease in the Fund.
I believe that the scheme will be worked to a successful termination on the basis of calculation adopted.
(Signed) P. Sievwright.
Edinburgh,29th November, 1881.
Appendix II.
Rules and Regulations of the Shetland Fishermen's Widows' Relief Fund.
1. That this Fund shall be called The Shetland Fishermen's Widows' Relief Fund, and its registered office shall be in Lerwick, in the County of Zetland.
2. That the object of this Fund shall be to assist and relieve the Widows, Children, and other Dependents of Shetland Fishermen, left destitute by disasters at sea.
3. That the Fund shall consist of (1) the balance remaining over of the Fund raised for the relief of the families of the Fishermen lost in the gale of 20th July 1881. after providing for the distress occasioned by the calamity; (2) contributions, donations, or bequests; (3) subscriptions of life and annual Contributories; and (4) interest or income accruing on said Fund, and unexhausted or unappropriated during the year.
4. That it shall be administered by a Board of Directors, consisting of nine members, to be elected by the Contributories, and three ex officio members, and that at all the meetings of the Board three shall be a quorum. That vacancies occurring in the Board during its tenure of office shall be filled up by the remanent members thereof. That no Contributor shall have, by reason of his contribution, any right or claim to any benefit or participation in the Fund, which is hereby declared to be purely charitable; but the control and administration of the income and capital thereof shall be and subsist in the said Board of Directora, who shall alone have the power to deal with applications for relief.
5. That the ex officio members of the Board shall be the Sheriff-Substitute of the County, the Convener of the County, and the Chief Magistrate of the Burgh of Lerwick.
6. That three of the elected members of the Board shall retire annually, but shall be eligible for immediate re-election. The first annual meeting for election of Directors shall be held at Lerwick on the Seventh day of December, 1881, at which meeting nine Directors shall be elected by ballot, and the order in which these Directors shall annually retire from office shall be determined by
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the number of votes given to each—the three lowest in number retiring first, and so on in this order; and in case of equality of votes, the Directors shall, at their first meeting thereafter, determine the order in which such Directors shall retire. That the Board of Directors shall, in all cases, remain in office till their successors are appointed.
7. That the Board of Directors shall annually elect from among themselves a permanent Chairman and Deputy-Chairman, who shall preside at all meetings of the Board, and at the annual meeting of the Contributories to the Fund. In the absence of the Chairman and Deputy-Chairman, the Directors or Contributories present respectively may elect a Chairman. At all meetings of the Board of Directors or Contributories, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
8. That the Board of Directors shall annually appoint, upon such terms as to remuneration, or otherwise, as they may think fit and proper, a Secretary and Treasurer, who may be one and the same person. The Treasurer shall annually, on or before 1st December in each year, make up a general state of the Fund, showing the capital and revenue accounts as at 11th November previously.
9. That the Board of Directors for the time being shall have power to elect a Patron or Patrons, and to fill up vacancies in that office as the same may arise.
10. That the capital sum of the Fund, which, it is declared shall in no case be encroached upon,—except in so far as it may be necessary to do so to meet any deficiency in the sum appropriated to the relief of the families left destitute by the disaster of 20th July, 1881—shall be invested in the names of three Trustees, who shall in all cases be elected from the members of the Board of Directors, and who shall be appointed at the first annual meeting of the Contributories to the Fund, and vacancies shall be filled up at any subsequent annual or special meeting thereof. The foresaid Secretary shall have powers to sue implied by or conferred on Trustees or other officers of Friendly Societies by the Act 38 and 39 Vic., cap. 60.
11. That the Board of Directors shall have power to enter into an agreement with the Shetland Relief Committee to take over and administer the fund raised for the relief of the dependents of those lost in the gale of 20th July, 1881, on such conditions as may be agreed on by parties.
12. That the monies of the Fund shall be invested only in the Government Funds, or in unexceptionable Heritable Securities in Scotland; but until or while any portion of the Capital is uninvested, it shall be competent to deposit the same in any Bank of issue in Scotland.
13. That all persons shall be considered Contributories to this Fund, and shall be entitled to attend and vote as such at the meetings of the said Contributories, who shall either (1) contribute the sum of Five pounds sterling as a single and Life Payment to
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the Fund; or (2) subscribe Five Shillings or upwards annually towards it. Annual members shall be entitled to vote at any meeting prior to and inclusive of the first Annual Meeting subsequent to the payment of their subscriptions.
14. That there shall be an Annual Meeting of the Contributories to the Fund as soon as practicable after 1st January in each year after the year 1882. on a day to be named by the Board of Directors, of which due notice shall be given by advertisement in the local papers or otherwise, as may be determined upon by the Board, and at which meeting the vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled up: the Directors shall produce a Report of their proceedings during the preceding year, and the Treasurer his annual account, duly audited, as hereinafter provided.
15. That the Treasurer's Accounts shall be duly audited once a year by one of the public auditors appointed under the Friendly Societies Act, 1875.
16. Special Meetings of the Contributories shall be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors either ex proprio motu, or on a requisition in writing signed by ten Contributories, setting forth the business to be disposed of.
17. The Board of Directors shall have power to frame such Bye-Laws as they may think proper for the better carrying out of the objects and intentions of the Fund; but no such Bye-Laws shall come into effect until the same have been approved of at an annual special meeting of the Contributories to the Fund.
18. No alteration, amendment, or rescission of the rules and regulations of the Fund shall be made except with the consent of four-fifths in number of the Contributories present at a special meeting called for the purpose, after due notice given by advertisement for four successive weeks in a newspaper published or circulating within the County, provided always that no alteration, amendment, or rescission shall be competent which shall in any way defeat or subvert the objects of the Fund, as herein provided.
19. In the event of the Fund lapsing from any cause, or being dissolved or wound up, the same shall be handed over to the Commissioners of Supply for the County, and the Corporation of the Burgh of Lerwick for the time being, in trust for the foundation, endowment, or maintenance of a Public Hospital, or of such other charitable or benevolent institution, for the behoof of the inhabitants of Shetland, as they may determine upon.
Appendix III.
Charge.
| To Amount of subscriptions received up to 7th December, 1881 | £11683 | 14 | 5 |
| To Amount returned by Rev. P. H. Russell | 3 | 9 | 8 |
| To Balance due the Treasurer | 0 | 0 | 2½ |
| £11687 | 4 | 3½ |
Discharge.
| By Amount expended on Mournings and other Furnishings (£3 returned) | £536 | 8 | 0 |
| By Rents paid, crop 1881 | 223 | 7 | 4 |
| By Quarterly Allowances to 11th February, 1882 | 143 | 17 | 8 |
| By Accounts for Supplies and Payments through George Sinclair and others | 28 | 16 | 10 |
| By Gratuity to Scollay Matthewson, Unst | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| £942 | 9 | 10 |
| By P. M. Sandison, Cullivoe, outlay and time spent travelling, &c. | £5 | 18 | 6 | |||
| By C. D. Jamieson, stationery | 3 | 11 | 2½ | |||
| By Paid Hon. Sec. for postages | 5 | 0 | 0 | |||
| By Paid Sheriff Rampini, outlay for freights, &c. | 0 | 14 | 0 | |||
| By Postages, &c., per Treasurer | 2 | 16 | 10 | |||
| 18 | 0 | 6½ |
| By Sum in Bank on deposit receipt | £10400 | 0 | 0 | |||
| By Do. on current account | 225 | 13 | 11 | |||
| By Draft from Tasmania at 60 days, not discounted | 101 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 10726 | 13 | 11 | ||||
| £11687 | 4 | 3½ |
Lerwick, 6th January, 1882.—We have examined the foregoing Account, compared the same with the vouchers, and find it correct.
(Signed) Thos. M. Cameron.
(Signed) William Irvine.