Report of the Committee-in-Aid.

The Committee-in-Aid appointed to supplement the ordinary funds of the Otago Benevolent Institution have much satisfaction in announcing the result of their labours.

It will be seen from the attached statement of accounts that up to the present date a gross total sum of £1731 13s. 3d has been gathered from various sources. The expenditure incurred amounted to £293 17s. 11d., leaving a net balance of £1437 15s. 4d., which has been paid over to the Treasurer of the Institution from time to time as received by the Committee. There are still monies to be received from several local bodies, and from collections, and entertainments at Wairuna, Outram, Roxburgh, Green Island, Bannockburn, and other localities. A sum also remains for collection from the proceeds of the gift auction, and there are a few small items of expense to be liquidated.

It will, therefore, be necessary to keep the account open till the end of the current month, by which time it is expected that all monies will have been forwarded to the Committee, and all accounts rendered.

The movement, of which the Committee-in-Aid was the outcome, originated at a meeting held on December 24th, 1883. The proposals then made were to raise a fund chiefly by a series of public entertainments. It was also resolved to endeavour to enlist the sympathies of the various local bodies and of residents in the country districts. The list of contributions will shew how nobly the appeal of the Committee has been responded to. None have been solicited for monetary aid; but some generous individuals page 2 have voluntarily contributed money donations. To all the thanks of the Committee are due. Where so many have united to render the movement a success, it would be invidious to particularise any. But it is desirable to specially record the obligations which the Committee are under to the Mayor and Corporation of Dunedin for the grant of the free use of a Committee-room, to Mr. Sibbald for the free use of the Princess Theatre on several occasions, to the Proprietors of the Queen's Theatre for a similar concession, and to Mr. Donald Reid for conducting the Gift Auction gratuitously, these being services which do not otherwise appear in the statement appended.