THE INDIAN FAMINE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1030, 13 October 1877, Page 3

THE INDIAN FAMINE.

Public Meeting. A public meeting convened by his Worship the Mayor to consider what steps should be taken to form a relief fund for the Indian famine was held at the Oddfellows’ Hall yesterday afternoon. There was but a scant attendance. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair. Letters of apology regretting their absence were read from the Most Rev. the Primate, Rev. J. Crump, Rev. Charles Fraser, Messrs E. B. Bishop, and Charles Clark. The latter enclosed a cheque for £lO 10s on behalf of the fund.

His Worship the Mayor said that ho had received a telegram from the Mayor of Wellington, intimating that lie had received atelegi’am from the Lord Mayor of London, asking that the municipalities of New Zealand might contribute towards the relief fund raised for the famine stricken inhabitants of India. The telegi’am had been laid before the meeting of the City Council, and it had been thought that the best way would be to appoint a large committee who would have lists, and get as many subscriptions as possible. He felt sure that Christchurch would be in no w r ay behind other places in the amount of subscriptions. He would now read the various apologies. [Read.] Mr Gould apologised for the absence of Mr 0. W. Turner, and stated that he had instructed him to put his name down for £lO 10s. Sir Cracroft Wilson, who handed to the Mayor a proposition to contribute £IOO in four monthly instalments, said that what they had met for that day was to do and not to talk. He would ask those present to subscribe to the best of their ability, as he knew the very disastrous effects of famine in India. His Worship the Mayor said that on behalf of the fund he begged to thank Sir Cracroft Wilson for his handsome donation. Mr Ollivier said that he should have liked to have heard a resolution proposed for a committee. He should also, having seen the harrowing!) 'accounts of' the famine in India, have thought that the Imperial Government would have gone out of its usual way and made provision for the immediate relief of their suffering fellow-creatures in India. Even supposing this had involved the expenditure of half-a-million of money, the Imperial Government might have relied in the strongest manner on the sympathy which had been aroused in English communities throughout the world. [Cheers.] He thought that it would be as well if some resolutions were put before the meeting to the effect that it was desirable to test the feelings of the public, in order to raise a subscription in aid of the sufferers in India. He desired to move 44 That a committee be at once appointed, whose duty it shall be to collect subscriptions throughout the provincial district of Canterbury.” The Rev. Mr Flavell seconded the motion. Mr H. Thomson said that it would be better to pass a resolution something to the effect of the one he would move—•“ That the meeting learns with deep regret the distress existing amongst our fellow creatures in India, and will use its best endeavors to alleviate it.” Mr R. J. Loughnan seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Ollivier’s motion was then put and agreed to. Dir Ollivier then said he had hoped to have seen the City Council heading the list with a large amount. They must recollect that the Council were the representatives of the citizens, and that many of them w r ho would be willing to contribute laid not the means to do more than give a few shillings, which they would not care to see on a list of this kind. They w r ould, however, bo very willing to be rated in the usual way for a contribution by the Council as representing them. He would therefore like to sec the Council head the list with at least £IOO. [Cheers.] Sir Cracroft Wilson said he would only like to say one word more. It was this. The Suez mail left in a few days, and lie should like to see an effort made to forward a first instalment, which would show that their hearts were willing in the good cause. [Cheers.] Mr H. S. Smith drew a vivid picture of the desolation and sufferings of the population of India at the present time. It was calculated that some eighteen millions of human beings were suffering the pangs of destitution and hunger in India at that time. He felt sure that the people of Canterbury required no harrowing details to enlist their sympathies m the cause of suffering humanity. At the same time, he should like to see the community come forward as one man to contribute towards the relief of suffering humanity. He trusted that each man in the province would come forward and contribute so much as he could afford, feeling bow much more blessed it was to give than to receive. Rev H. O. M. Watson said, in answer to the remark of Mr Ollivior as to the Britiok Gro-

vernment, he might state that power had been given to the Indian Government to borrow five millions of money for the relief of the sufferers. He might say that he should like t o move —“ That an application should be made to the ministers and office-bearers of the various places of worship throughout Canterbury, asking them to have an offertory in aid of the fund on Sunday week next.” The Very Rev the Dean heartily supported the resolution of Rev Mr Watson. Mr H. H. Hennah seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr G. Booth suggested that the lists should be left in the churches, where he thought a large sum might be got in small contributions. Mr H. W. Packer would like to see an appeal made to the country districts. There were a number of gentlemen of means in the country who would only be too glad to contribute if asked. Mr H. S. Smith agreed with the idea of communicating with all the country districts, and that they should enlist the sympathies of the whole province to assist them in raising contributions. Mr Saunders suggested that Mr George Gould be appointed as treasurer to the fund. Rev. Mr Elmslie seconded the motion, and would like to see a small working committee appointed as well as the large committee. Lists should also be placed in the Banks and other places of resort. Mr Gould said that he must request Mr Saunders to withdraw his name as he could not undertake the duties of the office. Mr H. S. Smith moved, “ That Mr John Ollivier be appointed treasurer.” Mr Nathan seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Ollivier said that Mr Mitchell had suggested that several gentlemen should be requested to volunteer to sit at tables in the most frequented parts of the city on the following day and next Saturday, and solicit subscriptions from the country visitors. [Heai’, hear.] Mr Radcliffe said he desired to suggest that the city should be divided into districts, and the members of the committee wait upon, personally, the various gentlemen who would only be too glad to contribute. Mr Nathan moved, “That his Worship the Mayor telegraph to the various municipalities and Road Boards in Canterbury, asking them to co-operate with the city of Christchurch.” Mr Hargreaves seconded the motion, which was agreed to. His Worship the Mayor said that he would bring the matter before the City Council at its next meeting on Monday week. They had a meeting that evening, but as it was a special meeting he did not think they could consider it. However, he would look through the Act to see if it could be done, but he thought not. Mr Ollivier —I would desire to remind hi* Worship that starvation cannot wait for Acts of Parliament. Mr H. S. Smith moved —“ That the following gentlemen form the committee —His Worship the Mayor, Sir Cracroft Wilson, Messrs J. Ollivier, W. Radcliffe, Toomer, G. Gould, R. J. Loughnan, 11. Thomson, L. E. Nathan, J. A. Bird, W. Pratt, W. R. Mitchell, H. S. Smith, A. Davis, H. Matson, with power to add to their number.” Mr Radcliffe seconded the motion. Mr Ollivier announced that £4OO had been collected in the room. It was arranged that the committee should meet at 10 a.m. this day at the City Council Chambers. A vote of thanks to his Worship the Mayor for presiding closed the proceedings.