THE LATE FIRE AT SHORTLAND.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 241, 17 July 1872, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE AT SHORTLAND.

PUBLIC MEETING. A meeting, convened by Mr J. E. Macdonald. solicitor, &c., of the inhabitants of Shortland, was held at Butt’s Hotel yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of giving expression to the feelings of the residents towards their fellow-citizens who so vigorously and successfully assisted on the occasion of the late lire. Ou the motion of Mr Mclliionk, seconded by Mr Chick, Mr Macdonald was voted to (Re chair. Mr Macdonald read the handbill convening the meeting, and stated that when the lire was over, and the anxiety had subsided; lie had discussed the matter with several who had held a sort of preliminary meeting, and authorised him to call this meeting. It was felt to bo a subject of congratulation that no worse results had occurred, for it had been anticipated that in the event of a fire happening, there would be no knowing how far it would spread. Great assistance had been given in preventing the spread of the fire. Who rendered the assistance it was not for him to say, as Chairman, bill the meeting would express itsopiuioti thereon.

Mr Mclluone said the advertisement convening the meeting was very good as far as it weut, but it did not go far enough. People from Graliamstown and from the lulls assisted as well as people from IShortland. He would move a vote of thanks to all who Assisted at the lire. Mr J. C. Young said, as a resident of Graliamstown, he had much pleasure in seconding the motion for a vote of thanks to those who assisted. Many of the buildings at iShortlaud had been hurriedly put up, aud it was really wonderful that with such trail structures no worse results happened, lie thought also that something should ho doue to relieve the sufferers by the lire, to which lie would contribute himself, and he had no douut olliers would do the same.

Mr Driver supported the motion for a vole ol thanks, anil said lie tell personally most gralclul to all wiio assisted to slop the progress of the fire at btiortland Hits morning. The motion was put aud carried. Mr Cox proposed that a committee he formed to raise subscriptions in aid of the sufferers, to which lie would himself contribute immediately. This was seconded by Mr Mautinson and curried unanimously, several £.l bank notes being laid on tlie table as a start, the proposer and seconder being* the first wiio set this good example. Mr Roche said some people had been rendered quite destitute by this occurrence, and had been left with not much more than the. clothes they had on them ; and, therefore, it was most desirable that subscriptions should be raised, lie also thought great praise was due to Mr Crick, who first discovered the fire, although he had been told to go to a very hot place for interfering. Mr Cox’s motion was put and carried unanimously. Mr Bucicley said a committee ought to bo formed immediately, and moved a motion to this effect, say mg that all could give their mite, although they could not all afford to give large sums. People here had assisted the sufferers by the Chicago fire, and would not withold assistance to persons nearer at hand. Mr Driver seconded the motion. The following were proposed as a committee by Mr Mcllhone : —The Chairman, aud Messrs Gibbons, Phillips, Nolan, D. Grove, J. Butt, Stewart, J. C. Young, Martinson, C. Cox, H. Williams, F. Lipsey, A. Anthony, Driver, O’llalloran, O. Creagh, Crick, Burgess, and all members of the Kauaerauga Board, 11. Mcllhone, J. Renshaw, J. Heron, E. 11. Power, R. Lloyd, Mr Davies and tlie oilier members ot the Waiotahi Board, D. Tookey, and the Parawai Board, and T. Garrett, with power to add to their number. Mr Frank seconded the proposition, which was carried.

Mr Mclliione suggested that all the mine managers on the field should he communicated with, with a view to receiving subscriptions from such of the miners as might be desirous to contribute to the subscription in aid of the sufferers, Mr Stevenson suggested that everyone should pul down something immediately. Several came forward and subscribed. Mr Stewaht suggested that not only the sufferers, but the Fire Brigade aud others who assisted to put the fire out, should also be remembered substantially, aud he would move that some substantial recognition bo made to them for their services. Mr IU S. Brown seconded. • Mr Macdonald said Mr Stewart’s motion was very good, but wuuld tend to embarrass the Committee. He thought the Waiotabi Board could best deal with the hue Biigade, and there was a general vote of thanks passed to all. The proposition was withdrawn. Mr Lipsey said he thought they would be satisfied with a vote of thanksj and he thought a lire brigade should be established to co-operate with the Grahamstowu Brigade.

A gentleman in the body of the hall said the couplings of the hose at Graliainstown and Shortlaml should be equalled. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings. Mr Cox fiuiseribed £lO in the room, Mr Martinson £2, and others various sums. » A meeting of the Committee will be held this evening at 7 o’clock, at Butt’s Hotel, when all members.-are requested to be present.

A Michigan paper thus delieately aunouces a deain Loin a "uou-expiosire:” Mis, Maria I’imnej gave up the bad practice of using ketu.-ene to kinaic fires, ou Mouday