TE AWAMUTU. THE IRISH RELIEF FUND.—PUBLIC MEETING.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1192, 17 February 1880, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU. THE IRISH RELIEF FUND. — PUBLIC MEETING.

Pursuant to advertisement a public meeting for the relief of the distressed by famine in Ireland was held in the hall, Te 1 i watnutu, on Saturday evening last. Ou the motion of Mr J. K. tioohe, seconded by Mr Sloane, Mr J. Win&tone Wd-s voted to the chair. The hairman, after reading the letter of appeal from J. A. Tole, Hi q , hon sec. to the Relief Fund in » uckland, and the advertisement in the Waikato Times convening the meeting, said he was sorry to see so small an attendance that afternoon. It was no matter of sentiment that had brought them together on this occasion ; but it was the knowledge of the stern reality that a people living uider the same flag as themselves were suffering fearfully. They are, he according to the latest accounts, starving in many places; and there would, he would venture to assert, be mere yet famish if food were not procured for them speedily. lwenty-four hours delay might be fatal to many poor people under such dreadful circumstances. He trusted their charity would havo a wide range that evening in helpiug their fellow couutryinen. (Applause). Mr H. ttooho next addressed the meeting, and in doing so referred to the occasion when thoy met in that hall for an i object similar to the one for which rhey j wine vow a^o übU'd — ho luu.uit thts Indian j famine. He wo'l lemuinbeicvl that meeting 1 wa* also a vory t> n ill one for *>uch a , populous djbtnet us. X w^iuoJua ; and it

was strange, but nevertheless true, that nearly all the same men who were present en that occasion were here again to-day They had not met now to build a church or a town hall. No; they were solely intent in assisting to relieve a starving people. He had, he continued, spoken to several persons during the week -en the subject of this meeting; but tl&y invariably had something to say detrimental to afflicted Ireland ; but he would ask them, in the name of common sense, is a nation to suffer for the faults of a few ? It was now, the speaker said, winter in tho old country ; and what with bad landlords, worso agents, wet and severe harvest, no food nor f uel, the unfortunate people were reduced to a state of wretchedness and misery unequalled in any other quarter of the civilised world. He well remembered seeing in the west of Ireland, in the year 1860, people reduced to cooking their scanty food with fish oil ; and such food ! It consisted only of a little salt and water and Indian meal. In the name of God, he exclaimed, let us keep our name for generous benevolence, whatever else we do, and if we have not got the money let us give it in kind. He remembsred reading some time ago how a hospital was sadly needed in a certain part of America ; there were no funds, but a 501b. bag of flour was donated, which was in due time put up for sale by auction, and was knocked down to the highest bidder. It was put up again and again and resold, and on in this way until it realised the handsome sum of 150,000 dollars, ti c would now beg leave to move the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr Sloane, and carried unanimously : — " That in the opinion of this meeting a Committee be formed to rake a tund for the relief of the sufferers by famine in Ireland ; and that the proceeds be forwarded to the Mayor of Auckland as soon as possible." Mr Sloane now addressed the meeting, and said it had fallen to his lot to witness three severe famines in his time. The Irish famine of '47, and subsequently in India after the mutiny, and again at the Cape of Good nope. He depioted in frightful and appalling terms the terrible scenes and shocking sights that came under his notice ; and the" pestilence that followed us a natural sequence to the former calamity. He wished now to say that there was one thing that struck him very forcibly here to-day in connection with this meeting — and he remembered well it was just the same when they assembled here about two years ago to obtain relief for the Indian famine — and that was the absence of the clergymen of the several denominations residing near Te Awamutu. H e would therefore 'move the following resolution, viz. : — " That 'in the opinion of this meeting, the ministers of the soveral denominations residing in and near Te Awamutu are, by their absence here to-day, inexcusable in not availing themselves of the opportunity thus offered to practice those sublime evangelical precepts of their sacred ministry to " feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, and clothe the naked in their affliction. 1 ' • Mi Gresham : " That is not law to condemn men in that way." He would propose "That tho resolution lie on the table." : seconded by Mr A. Bruce. Mr K. Roche thought it better to withdraw it altogether, as it might cause displeasure." The Chairman at this stage reminded the mesting that Mr Sloane' s resolution was not seconded, and that therefore it must fall through. A general conversation now ensued as to whether the clergymen really knew of the meeting or not, and questions were asked to know if they took in the Waika.to Times, in which paper the meeting was twice advertised. <*s there seemed to be a doubt about the matter, they would give the clergymen the benefit of it, and the subject dropped by Mr Gresham proposing, " hat the Hey. E. Phillips, Rev. T. Bruce, and Key. J. F. Mandeno be members of a Committee to raise subscriptions from their respective denominations." vir Sloane proposed as an amendment, '* I hat the rev. gentlemen in question do not confine themselves exclusively to the uembers of t':eir own congregations, but that they open lists and obtain contribuions from all benevolent people." — Seconded and carried. The following gentlemen were, after being duly proposed and seconded, added to the Committee in ord r to obtain con-fciibur-ions in their res >ective localities, viz.:— Mr J. K. Roche, J. Winstone, W. sloane, \. Bruce, ti. ttothe, ftl. Delaney, and W. Ramsay." Mr \ . Hruce proposed, and Mr J. R. tlwhe seconded, " That lists be furnished '■'j the members of omraittee; the same co be returnable to the Treasurer (J. Win*tone', not later than the 24th inst."— Agreed to. \ vote of thanks to the Chairman for ■is able assistance and sympathy closed the meeting.