THE ITALIAN EARTHQUAKE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9340, 8 January 1909, Page 5

THE ITALIAN EARTHQUAKE.

United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Rome, January 7. Ten people were rescued at Messina on Tuesday. Several business firms have recovered securities and moneys from the ruins. The public services are improving and the people are now calmer. Melbourne, January 7. ! ‘ The Federal Government has granted £IO,OOO to the Italian Earthquake Fund. London, January 7. . The Mansion House Fund now stands at £65.000, the American fund at £500,000 (including New York £BO,OOO and the American citizens of Tokio £800). BRITISH SAILORS AT WORK. AMERICAN RELIEF VESSEL. Received January 8, 8.10 a.m. Rome, January 7. British and Russian warships being near were the first to provide rood to survivors and the first to extricate t!iO wounded. The Italian aathoriars gratefully recoguise that many more would otherwise have perished. British sailors were for a week without a mouthful of hot food as everything warm was given to the wounded. They toiled at rescue work till late at night by their own request. The Russians also worked magnificently. London, January 7. The Times’ Messina correspondent says that many villagers from a distance obtained supplies as pretended refugees. Such offenders are now weeded out and punished. It is regrettable to state that 50 looters had to be shot. The American Committee at Rome has chartered the North German Lloyd steamer Bayern which is starting from Oivita Veochia for Reggio to-day. She carries besides stores worth £40,000, three doctors, and £0 nurses, with an American naval attache, and a committee for the distribution of relief. Mr Qrisooin, the Ambassador, accompanies the vessel as far as Messina to welcome Admiral Sperry to-morrow.

MESSINA TO BE REBUILT. ■ A HEARTLESS HOAX. Rome, January 7. Italian deputies met in the ruins of Messina and unanimously resolved upon the resurrection of the city. “

A further shock, has destroyed the beautiful cemetery at Messina with the famous orange groves. Journalists describe, the city as an uninhabitable charnel house where it is impossible to buy a piece of bread without military sanction. The Oamorra 'practised , a heartless hoax on the inhabitants of the suourbs of Naples early this morning. Alarmists rushed through the streets shouting, “The earthquake!” Others clanged the church bells. Residents in a panic rushed half naked into the streets seeking the open, while criminal gangs looted deserted shops and dwellings. Up to Tuesday night 2300 were recovered alive in Messina.

Received January 8, 10.10 a.m. Sydney, January 8. The Earthquake Relief Committee have cabled £IOOO to Italy. Press Association. Wellington, January 7. New Zealand’s contribution of £SOOO to the Relief Fund in connection with the Italian earthquake has been acknowledged in the following terms by the Italian Government in a cable to the High Commissioner ; “In the name of the Italian Government and the nation, convey our lively thanks to the Government of New Zealand for their prompt sympathy in the calamity of Italy, and for their conspicuous bounty on behalf of the victims of the disaster.—GlOLlTTl, President of the Council of Ministers, Rome.”