THE EARTHQUAKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3086, 7 January 1909, Page 5

THE EARTHQUAKE.

MESSINA TO BE RE-

BUILT.

MONEY ADVANCED BY GOVERNMENT. Received January 6, 11.40 a.m. ROME, January 5. King Victor Emmanuel and the Government have determined that Messina shall be rebuilt, the Government landing the money on very favourable terms. The Government expects to raise 180 million lire (£7,200,000) for the purpose by increasing the tax on land pud incomes. Messina will be exempted from payment of property tax for a quarter of a century. THE POPE'S KINDLY INTEREST. VISIT TO THE SUFFERERS. Received January G, 8.15 a.m. ROME, January 5. At the instance of Signor Np.than, the Jewish Mayor of Rome, the Vatican gladly received a batch of suffering survivors in the hospital outside the Pope's territory. His Holiness passed over the archway to the hospital, and comforted the sufferers. Signor Nathan visited the hospital later, and exchanged with Cardinal Merry del Val, the Pontifical Secretary of State, cordial greetings. EXCITED IMMIGRANTS. Received January 6, 8.15 a.m. NEW YORK, January 5. There were frantic scenes ?t New York among two hundred Calabrian and Sicilian immigrants before landing, on learning for the first time of ' the disaster. NEW SOUTH WALES GRANT. Received January 6, 8.55 a.m. SYDNEY, January 6. The State Government is cabling £5,000 to the Italian earthquake relief fund. The Lord Mayor (Alderman Allen Taylor) presided at a meeting hel > in the Town Hall to inaugurate a public fund. The sum of £875 was subscribed. MISHAP TO A BATTLESHIP. Received January 6, 11.40 m. ROME, January-5.'

After a sharp shock of earthquake at Messina yesteiday the British battleship Exmouth got caught in a current and snapped her anchorchains. The vessel drifted two mites before control was recovered. THANKS TO BRITISH FLEET. Received January 6, 8.15 a.m. LONDON, January 5. King Edward has telegraphed expressing high appreciation and approbation of the energy ?'id gallantry displayed by the officers and men of the British Mediterranean fleet in dealing with the disaster. WHOLE FAM!LY RELEASED. Received January 6, 11,40 a.m. ROME, January 5. An entire family was released at Messina yesterday, almost uninjured, though many of ths ruins are being flooded with c?rbolic acid to overcome the stench. FURTHER SHOCKS AT REGGIO. Received January ft, 9.55 p.m. ROME, Janu?ry 6. Shocks are being experienced around Keggio at intervals ol twenty minutes. HEROIC WORK. Received January 6, 11.5 p.m. ROME, January 6. The men from H.M.S. Minerva, amid recurring shocks and heavy gropus, worked heroically among the ruins rescuing people. At the house of the British Chaplain (Hulcatt) at Messina, they discovered Hulcatt and a child in bed. Both had been ccushed to death. The search continues, as his wife and th**ee other children 2*-e under the ruins.

RELIEF FROM AUSTRALIA. Reoeivd January 7, 12.58 a.m. MELBOURNE, January 6. Mr Fisher has reconsidered the position taken up regarding contributing to the Italian eaithquoke relief fund. Cabinet will meet tomorrow, and it is believed that £IO,OOO will be voted. Mr Wade, who is at present; in Melbourne, intimated that in view of the Commonwealth's first decision it was intended to send £5,000 from New South Wales.