THE DISTRESS IN IRELAND

Kumara Times, Issue 1170, 29 June 1880, Page 3

THE DISTRESS IN IRELAND

The London corespondent of the Dunedin Morning Herald writes :-*• The Duchess of Marlborough has "written the following touching wurds of farewell to the distressed districts of* Ireland. The latter is in both English anl Irjsh, and will be circulated throughout the country. Hor Grace says that before leaving Ireland for her English home she desh'es to say a few words to those whose distress has occupied her thoughts all thw winter. Four months ago ahe had appealed to the English nation for aid to avert the 4 famine threatening the Irish people. The Duchess continues : " The answer appeal came at one.e in the immediate remittance of large sums of money/ including contributions from her Majesty the Queen, the Rr.val Family, the Lord Mayor of London, and the Mayors and public bodies of great cities. From every part of England, high and low, rich and poor, old and young, all hastened to send me subscription*, accompanied by expressions of the deepest sympathy, pity, and sorrow. While the poor Irish were in

their dire need England did not hesitato a moment. The stream of charity flowed on uninterruptedly. I have received a sum of about £112,000, aud I have thus been enabled, with the assistance of my Committee, to supply food, clothes, and potato seed to those districts which were most in want. There remains an anticipated balance of nearly £15,000, which I propose to leave in good hands to be appropriated among the most destitute until next harvest, which will, I trust, with God's providence, bring yon plenty and prosperity. I write to explain this to you in order that you should know that England loves Ireland, and is ever ready to help her in the hour of need. And now, bidding you farewell, and praying that happy and prosperous days may be in store for you, I cannot refrain from hoping that you will retain a kindly remembrance of me, and believe that I am your sincere friend."