GREYMOUTH FLOODS RELIEF FUND.

Southland Times, Issue 1540, 20 February 1872, Page 2

GREYMOUTH FLOODS RELIEF FUND.

- » A meeting of the inhabitants was held last night in the Council Hall, to take steps for co-operating in the above-named fund. The portion of the Hall set apart for the accommodation of the public was tolerably well filled. The Mayor (Mr Wood), who presided, read the advertisement calling the meeting, likewise a telegram received from the Mayor of Greymouth soliciting the cooperation of this district towards relief of the distress occasioned by the late floods. A copy of the telegram appeared in last issue. The Mayor went ou to say that he had called them together to lay the matter before them in order that they migbt devise the best means for meeting the exigencies of the case. The disaster was one to which every country was more or less exposed, more especially a new country where provision for such an emergency could hardly be expected to be complete. Other districts had already taken the matter in hand, and he did not imagine that Southland would be behind in its efforts for alleviating the distress that had been occasioned. He had spoken to several gentlemen who would be inclined to give their aid in the matter ; Mr W. H. Calder, for example, and Mr T. Watson. These gentlemen could not be present, having had occasion to leave the town. He thought, however, that their assistance might be relied upon, and he would offer as a suggestion that any committee that might be formed to obtain subscriptions should include the names of these parties. Mr William Blaekwood expressed hi 3 opinion that the inhabitants of this part of Otago would be only too ready to render all the assistance which lay in their power. He had observed from the public prints that the m itter had already been taken up iv other places, la Timaru, the creditable sum of £100 had been subscribed, and he thought it would be a disgrace to Invercargill if it was behind hand. An appeal made on behalf of the sufferers by the late disastrous fire in America had been liberally responded to by Great Britain. The city of fJ-las-gow, for example, had subscribed the very handsome sum of £10,000. That was a large sum, far beyond the resources ot a place like this. Still he thought that even here they might render material assistance towards relief of the people of Greymouth. The formation of a committee, he thought, would be the wisest course for them to follow under the circumstances. Mr Geo. Lurasden counselled those present to take part in the discussion, tie thought it would be a pity if a question of this nature was left to be dealt with by the Town Councillors. He regretted (shat they were not in possession of fuller particulars of the disaster. The Otago papers had given only a meagre account of the extent of the damage. They had been already anticipated in the matter by the north, Timaru as they had been told having subscribed over £100. In the town alone he did not think that they would be able to raise an equal amount. The district, however, should be quite able to contribute such a sum, and no doubt the whole district would be appealed to. As the most practical step that could be taken, he concluded by moving that a relief committee, consisting of Messrs Wood, Calder, Watson, J. H. Kerr, Kingsland, H. T. Boss, Macrorie, and Oaborno should be appointed, with power to add to their number.

In seconding the motion, Mr Kingsland said that the bandmaster, Mr Stevens, as also Messrs Wotton and Twinning, had consented to give their services at an entertainment to be given on behalf of the fund. Mr J. H. Kerr deprecated any delay in the action that might be taken. He regretted very much to find that the attendance was so very sparse. It was his first experience of meetings in Invercargiil, and he felt quite ashamed of it, more especially as the place lay under the stigma of having contributed nothing towards the relief of the sufferers by the fire at TJyttelton. He was in possession of no further information than what had appeared in the newspapers, but from that source he gathered that many hundreds had been rendered houseless. Had not the case been an urgent one, and immediate relief absolutely necessary, he felt quite convinced that the appeal would not have been made by the Mayor of Greymouth. Mr Oaborne was never aware of any appeal having been made on behalf of Lyttelton. Considering that they were but a small community, he thought InTercargill had done a great deal for the relief of outside sufferers. Had it been made known that the people of Lyttelton required assistance he felt assured Invercargill would not have been backward. Mr Kerr justified his assertions by stating that at the hour the meeting was called not more than three persons presented themselves. Mr Lumsden thought that Mr Kerr's knowledge of Invercargill meetings was somewhat defective. - It required some fun — some political excitement — such as the hauling of a representative over the ' coals — to induce a very large attendance. Invercargill knew that it had one or two good useful men as leading citizens, who could be safely trusted to take the initiative, and then when they were asked to subscribe they did so liberally. Like Mr Osborne, he was never aware of any appeal having been made to the public on behalf of Lyttelton, else he had no doubt but that Invercargill would have come to the rescue. He knew that the fire had caused considerable suffering, but he always believed that the Insurance Companies, or the wealthy province of which Lyttelton had formed a part, had provided the relief. Mr Kingsland said that the promoters of the entertainment would be quite prepared to carry out the object. All that they asked was that some outside assistance Bhould be rendered to make the affair a success in a pecuniary point of view. The Mayor produced a subscription list, and took the sense of the meeting as to whether or not it should be circulated amongst those present. The meeting decided to leave the list in the hands of the committee, whose election was confirmed without dissent. Messrs Macrorie and Pratt each addressed the meeting in the same strain as the previous speakers, after which the proceedings were brought to a close.

At a meeting of committee, held subsequently, the following gentlemen were added to the committee — Messrs M'Pherson, Pratt, Hume, Martin, Hare, and Blackwood. Mr Kerr was appointed hon. treasurer, and Mr D. Macrorie hon. secretary. It was resolved to send circulara throughout the country districts requesting contributions, and the fixing of the town canvass was adjourned till to-day at half past 3.