THE MACKAY DISASTER

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 137, 27 February 1918, Page 6

THE MACKAY DISASTER

APPEAL FROM THE BISHOP OF . THE DIOCESE. (To the Editor.) Sir,—Detailed news, now at length; reaching mo from Ma'ekay, shows that, the Anglican Church lias suffered its full share of the disaster that befel that unfortunate town on January 20 and 21. The cyclone and tidal wave between them, as you know; wrecked the town and destroyed .property to the value of about a million and a half. Holy Trinity Church, which was a lofty / and beautifully-proportioned building of red cedar, 120 ft. long, was blown to splinters, the school next door to ifc was shattered, and the rectory unroof.ed; estimated damage, £3500* Tliis church was entitled to rank asj an historic monument; it was built in 1879 through the exertions of Albert Maclaren, whoso ministry is still remembered with dee)) gratitude by the old residents. The gallant founding of the New Guinea .Mission by Maclaren. in 1891 has made his name a household word in Australia, but the loss of Holy Trinity Church . removes. his only important memorial. His grave in Cooktown with its inscription "Miles Cliristi" is seldom visited. I ask to he allowed to appeal to your readers to> help the Church in Mackay in its distress. This diocese is able to send temporary help out of a small cyclone fund'which has been slowly accumulated in view of these risks. This help will be applied in Mackay and in tlio surrounding district ' where other churches have been damaged or destroyed. Local subscriptions will la hindered for the present by the general suffering from the disaster. The new Holy Trinity Chinch sh&uld he built of ferr'o-conerete and will cost not less than £5001). I believe that throughout Australia Anglicans will desire to help. Contributions may bo sent to the Registrar, Flinders Street, Townsville.—l am, etc., JOHN NORTH QUEENSLAND. Diocesan Registry, Townsville, Queensland. Fobruary. 1, 1918. P.S.—I am now advised that th* total damage to church property, including the churches in the district • of Mackay, is not less than £3000. General wrecking of wharves and sugar mills and the denudation of farms seriously crippled the district. I ' ■■- =