THE TIMARU DISASTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 9414, 3 June 1882, Page 3

THE TIMARU DISASTER.

A meeting was held in the Volunteer Hall 1 asfc Thursday evening, to consider what means should be • taken, to collect subscriptions in aid of the Timaru Belief Fund. Mr Franks was voted to the chair. He said he was sorry to see so few present, but he believed that interest was felt in the object of the meeting, and if they could succeed in forming a Comniittee he had no doubt the people would respond liberally: • He would like te hear suggestions from those present. ! Mr 3?womey, as the convener of the meeting, wished to make an explanation. When the disaster took place he pointed out in the paper that meetings were held everywhere, and that expressions of sympathy poured in from all quarters, and suggested that a meeting should be held in this town. No notice was taken of it. He had waited for the leading men to take .the matter up, but they did not, and he then brought it up at the meeting of the Trades’ Protection Association. He was authorised by that society, to call a public meeting, and he bad r done so. He wished to make this explanation to show that he had not taken upon himself to call, a meeting without authority. He thought it was the Chairman of the Boad Board’s duty to-have called this meeting long ago, and it was a great shame that it was allowed to go so long. However, they must do the best they could now, and the first step, to take was to form a Committee. He would therefore move —“That a Committee be formed to collect subscriptions in aid of the fund for the widows and orphans caused by the Timaru Shipping Disaster.” He believed some people had already subscribed in Timaru, but whatever sura went in from the district in that way Temuka would get no credit for, and when the list of subscriptions came to be published hereafter, Temuka would not appear on it. Was there a man in Temuka who would not blush when he saw every town in New Zealand on the list except Temuka ? If there was, he pitied him. Mr Bolton seconded the motion. Mr Lewis wished to know whether the Chairman of the Boad Board had been

informed that the meeting would take place. Mr Twomey explained that he did not complain of the Cliairman of the Road Board not being present. He had only said that it was his duty, as the elected representative of the people, to have called the meeting long ago. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. Mr Twomey said the next business was to choose the committee. He would suggest that they should choose, them from those present, and hot put the names of persons who showed no sympathy with the movement on it. There were gentlemen absent now who had been there at the beginning of the meeting and he thought they should be looked upon as present. These were Messrs J. Mendelson, K. F. Gray, and J. M. Ollivier. He thought their names should be put on the committee. Mr Lewis proposed—“ That Messrs Franks, Gray, Mendelson, Mackay, Ollivier, Lewis, Lawson, Hooper, Bolton and Twomey constitute the committee.” Mr Lawson seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Mr Twomey wished to put another matter before them. He understood the volunteers and other bodies were making up subscriptions. It would be a good thing if these were got to unite with the committee now appointed, and send one large sum from Terauka. If one body sent £lO, another £3O, and another £SO they would not look so imposing as if they were put together and £9O sent in one lump. Mr Davis thought Mr Twomey’s suggest'on a very wise one. The Chairman felt sure the committee would take steps in that direction. He was very son/ to see none of the clergymen present, but he hoped they would subscribe liberally when called upon. The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman,