RELIEF MEASURES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 158, 23 March 1918, Page 8

RELIEF MEASURES

THEdMAYOR'S ACTIVITIES,

The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) is active, affordling practical relief to the sufferers in the fire. 'Mr. Luke said he was convinced that ninny of the settlers in what was a newly-settled part of the couirtry would be greatly distressed by the loss of their homes, household effcots, stock, etc., whilst a long time would elapse before the fireravaged area 'would come into profit again. He was in communication with the Mayors of Auckland, Wanganui, and Ohakuiie in order that their efforts may be co-ordinated in a way likely to bring about the best results. Inquiries were now being made to ascertain what were the requirements of t::'' distressed people in the fire zone, and the question of calling a public meeting would be postponed until such information was to hand. In the meantime he trusted that citizens of Wellington would show their usual liberality in coming to the assistance of the settlers. A public meeting is being called by the Mayor for Monday afternoon to discuss relief measures. At present the Mayors fund is as under:— £ s.d. J. P. Luke •"> 0 0 C. Burnett 5 0 0 Anonymous 0 10 0 W. A. Chote 1 I 0 Total £11 11 0

SCHOOL CHILDREN ASSIST,

In response to an appeal made to Mr. W- H. L. Foster, headmaster of

the Clyde Quay School, by Mrs. Porter, of the .Women's National Reserve, the children were asked to approach their parents for any clothes —preferably children's clothes—which could bo spared for the benefit of those who had suffered by the big fires in the Raetihi and Ohakune district. The response was simply wonderful. On Wednesday and yesterday the children arrived with bundles of dresses, suits, underclothing, socks, stockings, overcoats, hats, and caps, the whole making lip a big lOJ'ry-load of clothes, which were delivered at the Sydney Street Schoolroom yesterday. The clothes so contributed were really excellent in qual- ( ity, and should be of service in the j present emergency. The Salvation Army authorities re- j port that clothing of all kinds is being j readilv supplied them for dispatch to [ Raetihi, beds', and bedding also being I offered, and all are being hurried through at the earliest moment. ! Friends desiring of helping expeditious-, lv would do well to forward any goods ; direct to Captain Griffin (Salvation; Army, Raetihi), who is secretary for j relief and whoso hall is the relief j headquarters. This building having | escaped the fire was utilised early m ; accommodating the homeless the oft- j cer rendering relief and supplying food ; where required. i ■U a meeting of the executive of the i Wellington Returned .Soldiers' • Associa- ; tion held oil Wednesday evening last i the following motion of sympathy was carried: "That this committee or tne : Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association desires to extend its sincere sympathy to all those who have suffered as a'result of the recent disastrous fire in the Waimarino district." The resoli'-' tion has been expressed in suitable : terms to the chairman of the \\ai-. Marino County Council. At a. public, meeting of citizens yes-: terday, called by the Mayor of New : Plymouth, a resolution of sympathy with the Waimarino settlers was pass-; ed, and it was resolved to open a relief fund. Subscriptions already pro-1 mised total £300. ; SETTLERS PREFER LOANS ON j EASY TERMS. . j The Hon. D. 11. Guthrie had several | conferences with Raetihi people, who t express unanimous preference for. long-dated loans on easy terms, rather ; than any form of charity. j THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO BE GIVEN. Cabinet has decided to provide finau- j cial assistance to the snlferers from ' the recent bush fires for the purpose of rebuilding, regrnssing, the re-erection . of fences, and restocking, where such assistance is required. Responsible men will be sent to the district without delay to go into the whole matter and make recommendations to the Government.