IRISH RELIEF FUND AT ASHBURTON.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1863, 12 February 1880, Page 3

IRISH RELIEF FUND AT ASHBURTON.

[Bx Telegraph.] ASHBURTON, February 11. A meeting was held at the Town Hall tonight for the purpose of taking steps to augment the Irish Relief Fund. His Worship the Mayor in the chair. On the platform were Messrs Bullock, Ivess, and O’Reilly. There was a very poor attendance. The Chairman appealed to those present to come forward and relieve those who were now suffering from want in Ireland. The people of New Zealand had hitherto proved themselves liberal in the highest degree when appealed to by their suffering fellow-creatures, and he hoped on this occasion that Ashburton would subscribe its share towards the fund. Mr Bullock said ho was see that so few persons were present when the object for which they had mot was such a distressing one. Until now Ashburton had proved to be a district which had always come to the front when cases of real distress were made apparent. Of course, every one in the district had suffered more or loss during the patt year from the excessive depression which had ruled. Ho moved :—“ That this meeting deeply sympathises with the people of Ireland in their present distress, and pledge themselves to use every effort to assist in its relief.”

Mr O'Reilly, in rising to second the resolution, spoke of the various places in the world that had already subscribed to the relief of Ireland’s distress. He alluded to the state of several counties mostly affected by tho famine. The Chairman read a letter from Mr Joseph Clark, offering to thresh 1000 bushels of grain free of charge for any farmer who desired to give grain by way of contribution, and suggesting that other owners of threshing machines be applied to for the same purpose. Mr John Orr proposed, and Mr Ivess seconded —“ That an Irish relief committee be formed in Ashburton, and any sum raised be sent to the Lord Mayor of Dublin as soon as possible.” A committee of the following gentlemen was formed for the purpose of giving effect to the foregoing resolutions, viz.—His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Friedlander (2), A. Orr, J. Orr, J. Ivess, J. H. Weeks, D. Williamson, Bullock, Dixnn, O’Reilly, Revs. Paige, Keall, Smith, and Beattie, with power to add to their number.

After lists had been handed round the meeting adjourned.