THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 248, 25 July 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. THURSDAY , JULY 25, 1872.

There was a much smaller meeting .of the Fire Belief Fund Committee last evening than was anticipated, and in consequence of the paucity of attendance the meeting was adjourned until Friday. The wet and stormy weather which prevailed throughout the whole of yesterday is certainly some excuse for non-attendance. As however this is a matter of importance, and at this season of the year no one can calculate upon fine weather, we hope, whether wet or dry, a sufficient number of members will attend on Friday to wind up the business and arrange for the distiibution of the funds. From funds actually in hand, and amounts promised (for which a considerable amount of margin may usually be allowed), it may be roughly estimated that there will be at least £2OO in cash. This will enable the Committee to deal with the most necessitous cases, and to afford relief to the most destitute of the sufferers. Some of the claimants for losses to a large amount are fortunately in such a position as to be independent of eleemosynary a d. The committee, no doubt, will direct its attention chiefly to those cases where relief is required in consequence ot the sufferers having lost all the small property they possessed, and being left without means to start atresii. jLbe Ladies -Benevolent Society lias been very properly intrusted with a sum for immediate wants, oi which they have expended a certain suiouiit, mid returned the balance to the Treasurer, as will be seen by reference to the report of last night’s proceedings in another coluniu. Atonies for urgent cases could not be placed in better hands than in those of the ladies

of the Benevolent Society, who are not only kind and charitable, but arc also very keen judges of who are really deserving, and who are simply “making out a ease.” Ladies, we are. less apt to bo deceived in these matters than the “ Lords of the Creation,” and if in the distribution of the funds there should be any doubt as to how any portion should be distributed, we unhesitatingly say that no better channel could he found than the Ladies’ Benevolent Society. At last night’s meeting a letter was read from Mr Evans, an artist in hair, who formerly occupied the premises known as the American Bowling Saloon, in which he denies several statements made by Mrs Harrison, landlady of the Melbourne Hotel, as made by her on Saturday, and published in our issue of Monday. There can be no doubt that the statements of Mrs Harrison and Mr Evans do differ on some very material points. As to the ownership of the furniture in the “ Bowling Alley” premises there is a flat contradiction, and it may he possible, that a future inquiry will have to elicit, if possible, on which side the truth rests. The origin of the fire has certainly not yet been clearly ascertained, but it is doubtful whether an inquest held at present would throw farther light upon the subject. As this is the first fire of any magnitude which has occurred here it naturally forms a leading subject of general comment, and we hope that the very general interest which is excited will have beneficial results.