THE WAIMARINO FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1918, Page 6

THE WAIMARINO FIRES.

RELIEF FUND OPENED IN NEW . •PLYMOUTH. A public meeting of citizens, called by the Mayor, was held in New Plymouth yesterday afternoon to consider what steps should be taken to give assistance to the settlers of the Waimarino district who had suffered loss through the recent devastating fires. There were three ladies and about M gentlemen present. The Mayor (Mr. C. 11. Burgess) said he recognised that the time for the electing was an awkward one, but it was the only time he had available. He had received a telegram from the Mayor or Auckland suggesting that New Plymouth should co-operate in relief measures, and ho had called the meeting for the purpose of deciding how to afford the best assistance for the unfortunate residents of the districts affected. He had no definite proposition to make, and lie did not know whether it was necessary tt» set tip a committee to canvass for subscriptions, or simply to leave it to th& people to offer their subscriptions. There svas need for immediate help as most of the settlers had all their assets wiped completely out in the one night, Taraiiaki had a somewhat similar experience norftis years ago, and help from other districts was immediately afforded. He was sure everyone deeply sympathised with the Waimarino people. He offered apologies for the absence of Messrs S. W. Shaw, R. Cock. A. Ridd, J. W. Boon, and the Hon. A. Samuel. The latter wrote expressing his sympathy with the sufferers and enclosed a cheque for £25 towards the relief fund. Mr. Boon also forwarded £l. (Applause) . v ' The Ven. ArehdeP.con Evans suggested that the local newspapers be asked to flpeii subscription lists in their columns. He said they had always helped every (?ood cause in that way, and no doubt mould do so in the present case. The Mayor said ho had practically taken it for granted the papers would do that when he wrote to them, and as a matter of fact they had done so. Mr. W. J. Penn said he had no doubt whatever about the newspapers doing r-verything possible to assist in the matter. He stated that his office had that Any reeeivei't about £2O towards the fund. He thought the proper course to pursue was to pass a resolution of sympathy with the sufferers and then open a Mind for their relief. He therefore inov. Ed: That this meeting of citizens of New Plymouth expresses its sympathy with the settlers in tha Waimarino district in the distress that has overtaken them, and that a fund for the relief be opened with his Worship the Mayor aa treasurer. The motion was seconded by Mr W. T. Jennings. M.P., who »jaid he had every ■-.vmpr.t.hr with the resolution. He hn<l | been in the devastated area in the lasttwo days and knew that assistance was urgently needed. He had seen some exceedingly sad sights. Many poor people had lost all their effects, and numbers of them were not. insured. He had communicated with the Prime Minister and had received from him the- following reply:~ "Your telegram to hand. Temporary relief measures are well in hand, and Mr. Guthrie is on the snot, also Crown lands Rangers, and working in co-oper-aticn with local relief committee. Cabinet will <jive whole question their earnest consideration at earliest possible moment. Everything possible is being done in the meantime to relieve distress and cases of necessity such as yon mention." Mr. Jennings said the Gov- I e.rnmcnt itself would have heavy expenditure to meet in e'onnectiori with the disaster, for many public buildings had been destroyed and bridses on many of the roads had been burnt. Mr. Newton King supported the motion, and reiterated what the jiayor had said regarding the assistance rendered to Taranaki when the Stratford fires did so much damage. He urged that relief was needed immediately and hoped the public would respond promptly. Ho offered £25 each on behalf of Mrs. King and himself. Applause). Mr. Penn stated that the Citizens' Band, who had intended giving a eoncert at Ngatnoirt heath on Sunday afternoon and taking a collection for their own funds, had decided to give the concert in aid of\«ie fund for the reliei of the Waimarin'o\ettlers. (Applause). With, the amount's already in hand, and subscriptions received at the mooting, it was stated that jnst on £2OO had be"i; subscribed. It was decided to-hand the subscriptions to the Mayor of OHokune. Following are the subscriptions promised at the meeting:—

Hon. 0. Samuel '£ . 25 s n d 0 Mr. Newton King ..■ . 25 0 0„ Mr?. Newton King . 25 ft 0 Ridd Company . 20 0 0 Mr. C. E. Bellrinccr 5 0 0 Archdeacon and Mrs. Evans 5 0 0 Mr Jftokson 2 •2 0 Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P. . 2. o 0 Mr. E. Doekrill . 2 2 0 '. W. Boon . 1 n 0 K. Cornwall . 1 /_ 0 0 r £113 4 0 Already acknowledged . 05 0 0 Other donations are: North Taranaki Dairy Factory 100 0 0 Sash and Door Co ..20 0 0 Captain and Mrs. Mace 5 0 0 S. Hooper .. 3 3 0 A. Sbuttleworth 2 2 0 Jas. Hooker (Cambridge) .. 2 0 0 J. Beat .'. i 0 0 Joseph Wilson .,• 2 0 0 G.B.K 10 0 10 0 W.O.D 10 0 T,. Allen 2 0 .. 2 0 0 .. 1 0 0 E. Hod«ea .. 1 0 0 Mrs. fiarmonsway ..■ 1 0 0 Ambury Bros., Ltd., 5 0 0