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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 7, 10 November 1877, Page 2

A meeting m aid* of the Indian Famine Fund was held, at MrSnelson's Auction room on the evening of Tuesday the 6th inst. At the hour advertised for the meeting a few sympathising friends congregated m front of the Foresters' Hall where the meeting should have been held, but unfortunately the key of the front door was gone. Having adjourned to the auction room the Mayor briefly stated the object of the meeting, and remarked that a deep interest was manifested for the poor sufferers far and wide. .He hoped that the residents m this neighbourhood would do, all they could to assist m this most charitable work. He invited any of the gentlemen present to make any remark or suggestions which would tend to devise means for collecting* funds. Mr Dalrymple regretted to have to remark that the attendance at the meeting was so small. It appeared to him that the residents m this district shewed great apathy m respect to rendering what assistance lay m their power to .relieve some of the distress now raging m India. He felt quite satisfied that if lists were sent around the district a good sum would be raised, probably £50. He would willingly carry a list through the upper district. He quoted amounts raised m Napier where some natives had given as much as £10. Large sums had been raised m Auckland, Wanganui, Christchurch, and other centres of population, quite independent of the vast sum raised m Great Britain. He thought that this was one of those great calamities ,which demanded sympathy and help from every one. The poor unfortunate beings now starring were our fellow subjects and brothers and as such. should receive assistance. Mr Bruce said it was very natural for people- to begin such undertakings as the present by thinking perhaps that charitybtfgitisat home, and argue that we have plenty of poor m our midst who could utilise all that we could spare to give away m charity. He quite admitted that, at the same time, this way of reasoning was wrong. Suppose'we reverse matters, and think that we have the famine among ■ ourselves. Would we not expects sympathy from other parts of New Zealand, and help

from all parts of it? The sufferers m India are exactly m the same position towards us and a famine such as that experienced by them demands the sympathy and^help pf the whole world. The Rev. Mr Hammond was sure from what he knew of the Palmerston people that if lists were sent round a sum would be raised which would do credit to the district, fie would have felt much pleasure m taking one about, but at the presentrtime, business pressed on him to such an extent that he could not possibly spare the -necessary time. Dr. Skermah suggested the appointment 6i a Committee to canvass the district properly. Mr K. Leary quite approved of the Dr's. [suggestion and thought it wise ;to. divide the district. lifr Dalrymple remarked that he thought it to be the duty of some of the audience to make time for the purpose of canvassing the district. ,Mr Bruce stated his willingness to go over. a portion of the district, providing some person would accompany him who was well known. The Mayor referred to the time m England m which the collections took place for the Patriotic Eundin precisely the same manner as suggested how. He would most willingly undertake to .canvass the whole of the Borough providing Mr Lmton would accompany him which was willingly agreed . toV Mr JDalrymple stated that he would -"."goover his district on Saturday and visit the Scandinavians, who he knew would willingly give towiairds the fund. Mr .Owen said he thought this was a time | when giving, was :of more importance i than speaking. ;^He:would.Ji,pt-lengtixe'n the time of meeting by making a speech , but would simply go towards the subscriptipn list and r put his name' - dowit for what he could afford to give. The ma jority.of <those, present followed'his example. The result being £12 otf the list. It was arranged that all the lists with amount collected should be handed m to the Mayor on the evening of Saturday next. , ;i „■ „; ; .::'v ■ ■. '. .../:.:•--." t: -'■■.' •