PUBLIC MEETING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2905, 22 February 1893, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

Ihe adjourned meeting to consider the best means of assisting to relieve the distress cwsed by the floods in Queensland, was held yesterday afternoon. His Worship the Mayor presided, and among those present vere Revs 8. ]*wry, l! Father O'Donnell, and A. Blake. Oou' cillors Orr, Jones, Paul, and Duncan, -•■' Major Steward, and •everal ladies. An apology was received from Rev Mr Hamilr.cn, who expressed his willingness to do aU in his power to further thV T;' movement. The Mayor stated ihat ih» amount collected at St Stephen's Church on Sunday had been cabled to Brisbane! He was rather sorry, that this htU bean done, and hoped that what might be raised in future would all jro into the one fund through the Borough Council. (Hear, hear). He had already received some subscriptions, among them one of £5 from ( the Asnburton Olub-(applause)— and he had no doubt that as soon as the list* could be opened subbcriptions would flow in. He need say nothing of the necessity for prompt aid to the Butferers. He would call upon Mr Puroell, who he understood was prepared with a resolu- ' tion. Mr PurneU moved—"That this meeting desires to express its hearty sympathy with the sufferers from the Queensland floods, and with the view of affording them practical help a Committee be formed for the purpose of raising subscript, tions to be remitted to Queensland through his Worship the Mayor of Asli burton, such Committee to consist of the following gentlemen with power to add to their number:—His Worship the Mayor and members of . the Borough Council, the County Chairman and members of the County Couucil, the Chairmen of the Hampstead and Tinwald Town Boards, the Chairmen of the several Road Boards in the county, and the clergy of the various denominations." Mr PurneU spoke of the great damage caused by the ' visitation of the floods. Many poor people had lost their all, and the great point was to devise the best means of providing relief as quickly as possible. This he thought would be by the medium of a Committee such as he proposed. Councillor Orr seconded the resolution, and advocated all possible promptitude in sending relief. Key Mr Lawry stated that at his Church a subscription list had been opened, and special collections would be taken next Sunday morning and evening. Steps were also being takwa to interest the country congregations in the matter. He would suggost that the relief be sent in kind, produce being so much cheaper here ihm in Queensland. Major Sieward supported the resolution, and aleo the suggestion to scud the relief in kind, gifts of grain and produce to be received. ; - Cr Jones also supported the resolution. The resolution was carried unanimously. Major Steward moved - * "Ihat the Gommittje be recomended (1) to endeavor to arrange for a place for the leception cf contributions of farm produce, etc., and that it be notified that such contributions will be gladly received ; aud (2) to consider the expediency of purchasing supplies (especially of flour or grain) with the moneys laUed and forwarding th« same to Brisbane instead of remitting in cash ;" and stated that any public notificvtioLS that might be necessaty would be inserted in the Mail or Guardian free of charge —(applause.) CrCuthberteon seconded the resolution. MrPurneJl pointed out hat it would not be wise to send the whole of the subscriptions in kind. The distress was such that money would inevitably be required. This was generally coincided in and ihe resolution was carried. Rev Father O'Donnell moved that the clergy of all denominations be asked to set apart an early Sunday tor special collections in aid of tha fund. Bishop Grimes had ordered a special Sunday collection throughout the diocese, and he (Father O'Donnell) had written to the Bishop asking that the collection in this district might be handed over to the general fund. (Applause). , Key Mr Lawry seconded the resolution— * which was carried—notice to be sent to all the ministers in the county. - . „, Moss of those present took subscription lists, and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding. The Committee constituted by the meeting will meet on Thursday evening at 8 30. in Mr J. C. Duncan's omee in the Arcade. The Mayor of Ashburton acknowledges the following subscriptions: —R. Bird, £6 ss; T. Bullock, £2; Donald Williamson, £2 2s; J. H. Twentyman, £2 2s: Ashburton CJub, £5; Wm. Sutherland, £1; T. Taylor (Waterton), £1 Is; A Friend, £1 Is ; Kollitt and Co M £1 U i S. Saiek, £1 Is; Miles and Co., Limited, £2 2s ; ,h feealyand Co.. £l Is : M. Faulkner, 2a 6d;. H. Davis, £1;"■%, Green, 2s 6d; G. Meddins, 2t 6d jW. F. Somerville, £1 Is; A; ¥. SomervUle, £L Is; H. H. Secretan, £1 j , Mitchell and Turner, £2 2s ; A Friend, 5-s ; Moritz Friedlander, ss; Max Friedlander, £3 3s; W. H. Collier, £1 Is; Geo. Ooleman, £3 3d ; Friedlander Bros., £2 2s; W. Home, £1; P. Pevane. £1 Is ; W. Sparrow, 10s ; W. Drummond, 10s ; 1.0. G.T., Pride of Wakanui Lodge, £2. Next Sunday the collections to be taken at the Primitive Methodist: Church, at both services, will go to tho Queensland Relief Fund. Arrangements for the promenade con cert to-morrow evening are well advanced. The Ashburton Brass Band will play marches through the town before the concert, and will contribute two selections. The Orchestral Society's band will aleoplay two pieces, and Mrs Claridge and Miss Gales a pianoforte duet. Songs will be given by Mesdanaes Brooke and Williams, Messrs Williams, Kersel and Brookinar; character songs by Messrs Millar, Kirk and Broad ; and a character duet by Mr and Miss Gates, There will be' a rehearsal in Mr Gates! School 1 of Music at fight o'clock this evening, wjiich it is hoped all who have promised caging - !at the concert will attend. The idea has been mooted of having a dance in the Arcade after the concert.