MURCHISON THANKS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1929, Page 5

MURCHISON THANKS

TO PEOPLE OF NEW ZEALAND. [By Telegraph, Per Press Association.: WELLINGTON, Dec. 20. The Murchison people, through their local Earthquake Relief Committee, send to the people of New Zealand a message of ‘Xmas greeting and thanks for the splendid manner in which they “spontaneously and liberally subscribed to the reliel funds,” which not only cheered them up 'but enabled them materially to restore their hemes. Inter alia the message says:—“ln fact the first day or two after June 17th, when our nerves were shake,! i and our homes wrecked and much of the countryside devastated, a dark cloud seemed to hang over us, but soon the silver lining began to show, for we heard by wireless and read in the paoers that relief funds were being raised in several centres. “Day by day the movement spread until we realised that the whole of the people of the Dominion were eager to bear some of our burden, and we were able at once to face our difficulties with renewed hope. The psychological effort of your prompt action was of the utmost importance. “Almost before we could fully realise the extent of our loss your generous assistance was in sight, and we at once took heart. We realised that with so many of you standing hv us we could approach the difficult task of reconstruction with courage and confidence. Had it not been for that liberal measure of sympathy and financial help, some would doubtless have been ruined and others would have completely lost heart, and now, because of all that you have done for us, we arc for the most part rapidly recovering in mind and estate. “Some of us are still unable to return to our homes for various reasons, but our lot is not so bad after all.

“Thanks to your generosity, we shall all ho able to enjoy our ’Xmas. “Thanks again for your great gen erosity.”