MOTUEKA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 46, 22 February 1877, Page 2

MOTUEKA.

A public meeting was held afc fche Institute on Tuesday evening fco take into consideration the best means to afford relief to those who have suffered most by the flood. Mr Hursthouse was voted to the chair, and said he had called the meeting at the request of several residents of Motueka, and he wished to state what steps had been taken by the people of Nelson with regard to the sufferers by tne floods. Mr Hursthouse then read the resolutions passed ac the meeting held iv Nelson on Monday evening, and said he had no dpubfc that the meeting would pass a resolution thanking the citizens of Nelson for the hearty manner in which they had acted. To a great extent the Nelson people had done what he wished done here, namely, appoint a committee to collect and distribute substantial assistance to Ihose who stood in need of it. He had just received a telegram from the Premier (Major Atkinson) in answer to his communicatipn to the Government relative to the disastrous flood. The telegram read thus: — " Government sympathise deeply with sufferers from flood in your district. Regret we cannot do more to help them, but this we are prepared to do. We will, if recommended by the Waste Lands Board, allow any settlers whose land has been destroyed to select an equal acreage free of cost, in laud open for sale or selection in the-Nelson district, each person so selecting making over to the Government his destroyed land. An Act of Assembly will, of course, be required, bufc I have no doubt it will be readily passed by Parliament; in the meantime selectors could have immediate possession.— -H. A. Atkinson." He had no doubt that the Waste Lands Board would accede to the proposal of the Government, and of course, it remained with the settlers to decide whether they would occupy land on such terms. On the motion of Mr Tarrant, it was resolved.*—" That this meeting desires to express its very best thanks to the citizens of Nelson for the kind and hearty manner in which they have taken up the cause of the sufferers by the late flood in Motueka, and the means initiated to afford the sufferers relief." In proposing this resolution Mr I arrant said he felt sure there would not be a dissenting voice, for he could assure them that the feeling of sympathy was very strong and sincere. Mr Coppius proposed, *f That Mi* Buchholz be requested to receive subscriptions, ft nd pay them over to the Treasurer of the Aid Committee," yjiese resolutions being carried, the Chairman s«is

there was a subscription list on the table, on which about £30 was promised, and no doubt more would now be added. Several gentlemen wished their names entered, which being done, brought the amount up to £45. A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting to a close.