INDIAN FAMINE RELIEF FUND.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1035, 19 October 1877, Page 2

INDIAN FAMINE RELIEF FUND.

A meeting of the committee of the above was field at the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. Present—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Sir Cracroft Wilson, Messrs G. Gould, W. Pratt, H. Thomson, W. Tooraer, F. T. Haskins, J. Ollivier, J. A. Bird, W. R. Mitchell, Henry Davis, L. E, Nathan.

Mr Ollivier read a letter from Mr Overton, of Meadowbank, Trwcll, inclosing £ls as the contributions of some residents of the district, in response to an appeal made by the Rev. P. Fairclough on Sunday last. Mr Overton forwarded the money direct instead of to Mr Fairclough, as he saw there was a meeting of the committee to be held, and he should not have an opportunity of seeing Mr Fairclough for a week.

Sir Cracroft Wilson said that he instead of giving the £IOO promised by hi«n in instalments, to give a draft at thirty days* sight, on the Oriental Bank at Calcutta, for the whole amount.

The offer was accepted with thanks. Mr Thomson brought under the notice of the committee that the benefits at the Theatres Royal and Gaiety in aid of the fund were both fixed for the same night, which he thought was a mistake. After some discussion, in which Messrs Nathan, Ollivier, Haskins, and the Chairman took part, it was resolved in view of Tuesday being a public holiday for the Muff Cricket Match, that both benefits should take place on that evening. Mr Ollivier stated that the total amount received and promised to date was £S>l6 2s Id. [Cheers.] This was certainly a very good result. The total amount banked next morning would bo £750, winch might be operated upon immediately. He might say that Mr Coster, for the Bank of New Zealand, had promised them a draft at par on London, and their Bank at home would notify the Orientail Bank at Madras that a certain sum had been placed to the credit of the fund with their home agency. A telegram would be sent to Melbourne to the Oriental Bank there requesting them to telegraph to the Oriental Bank at Madras that a certain sum had been remitted to London on account of the fund, and that the Bank in Madras could t hen draw upon it as if they had the funds in their own. hands. After some discussion, Mr Ollivier moved —“ That the manager of the Rank of New Zealand be, requested to forward from the residents py Canterbury in the most direct manner pousible the sum. of £ to the Oriental! Bunk at Madras on behalf of the Indian Relief Fund.” Mr Nathan seconded tho motion, which was carried, Mr Thomson then moved —“ That Messrs Ollivier and Gouid be appointed to wait on Mr Coster to give effect to the foregoing resolution.” Mr Pratt seconded tho motion, which was carried. Mr Gould said that ho thought it was a pity to have the collections on Sunday lying orey for twenty-eight days. Under these

circumstances he would be willing to give his personal responsibility for £IOO, to anticipate the collections, so that the amount might go forward by the outgoing Suez mail. Alter some discussion it was resolved that the whole matter should be left in the hands of Messrs Ollivier and Gould, they having authority to operate up to the remittance ot £IOOO by the mail if they thought proper. Mr Coster, who was present, expressed himself only too happy to forward the interests of the committee, and stated that he would remit the sum to the Oriental Bank in Melbourne, advising them that the Bank of Hew Zealand had issued the draft and requesting them to advise their Bank in Madras of the amount. If the committee wished to anticipate the amount of subscriptions in hand, the Bank would be very happy to advance the sum necessary. Mr Ollivier said ‘ that the Licensed Victuallers were going as a body to the entertainments. He might also state that the cabmen and the railway employes were getting up subscriptions amongst themselves, which would be remitted to him ns treasurer. Mr Pratt suggested that it would be as w ell that a gift auction should take place in aid of the fund. Mr Ollivier said that the matter had been under the consideration of the sports committee connected with the Muff Cricket Match, and they had had the offer of the services of some auctioneers, and it was thought that they might have auctions every quarter of an hour on the ground. By this means he thought they would be enabled to get a good deal of money for the fund. He might say that he had, with Mr Palmer, been engaged during the day in getting the merchants and others to close their places of business on Tuesday, and had succeeded. The committee then adjourned until Thursday next, at 4 p.m.