ROTORUA BELIEF FUND.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 142, 19 June 1886, Page 8

ROTORUA BELIEF FUND.

Action of the Presbyterian chwcue,, A meeting of the office-bearers i D thß various Presbyterian Churches of the dh was held at four o'clock yesterday __ J noon in St. James's Church. p rttfflt , Revs. Runeiman (Chairman), Sommerville! Macnicol, and Carrick, and Messrs McPherson, Bennett, Mackay, Bell, Wilson and McKerras.

The Rev. Mr Runeiman said that lis duty as chairman was very easily di charged. They all knew of the ifo* eruption which had occurred at Rotoran When it was first decided to hold _ meeting, it was thought that relief was urgently needed. Since that time, however, fresh accounts had been received and although the calamity was bad eno'neh still they should thank God that the circumstances were not so bad as at firat appeared. Already grass was growing, and he thought that perhaps it would not be nocossary to proceed with the effort to raise relief at present, until % found whether it was really needed He might also mention that he had taken the liberty of interviewing the Mayor; who as usual, received him with the utmostcontesy. His Worship appeared to consider that the_ Government had taken .the matter out of his hands, so that he was not prepared to call for assistance. At the came time, he said that there was need for money, and he could easily dispose of any sums that might be forwarded to him. The general character of the Mayor's remarks vtas that there was not so great a necessity for ntgent relief as they at first thought The Rev. MrSommervilleeaidtbathohad drafted several resolutions, which he would read, and then they might discuss the matter. They were as follows;—-,.'

" This meeting of the representativesdl the Presbyterian churches of AuckWj' having read with painful interest the newspaper reports of the serious loss of life and property caused by the recent volpic eruptions in the Rotorua districts, expresses its sincere condolence with those who have suffered by bereavement .and to desire to aid those who have suffered tiie loss of home and property." "On behalf of the congregation here represented, we agree that a special collection be made in aid of the sufferers by the Rotorua disaster on Sabbath week, theZith inst., and that the congregations be invited to give such contributions in clotbhfss may be within the means of the members and adherents." "That Messrs Thomae Macky,.John Buchanan, F, J. Bennett, Andrew Bell, E Badger, and J. M. Lennox be appointed a committee to receive contributions in money and clothing, and deal with them as their wisdom may direct; Mr Macky to be convener and treasurer." :: " That the ministers be requested to intimate the resolutions of this meeting fan their pulpits on Sabbath first, and rage a hearty response on the jiart of the people to this appeal to their liberality." Mr Macky said that he was thoroughly in favour of the resolutions submitted by Mr Sommerville, , , ~ Mr McKerras thought that they should have a little more information to gonpon as to the nature of the dietresß and tbe assistance required. . , Tho Chairman said that the removal ot cattle from the distressed district-IM entirely ceased. The only 'm__M whether it would be advisable to postpone the matter for a few weeks, and the* m would know exactly what was."***1: ~„. The Rev. Mr Carrick eatd thatW should go forward. There was w«f that there was distress, and.u^MMgave promptly gave doubly," gg*« go forward with the work.; He had «*» remotest doubt that circumstances|*» bring forward facts to show that 4*^ was required, and that urgently .He bop* the resolutions would be adopted, ~.. The Rev. Mr Macnicol saidtbatdNtf they did not know the full iM tress, there could be no .dooM W» Maoris required assistance in MS£ clothing, as they had «?^« Still, he felt that if they had more mg* tion to lay before the V^S__M^ more liberal in their wbacmtoW »B d same time, he was cordially to «">»', passing the resolutions. . . _$ P Mr Bennett said tha;«WfS publish the necessary information below^ collection would be taken. liajatba Mr Sommerville then formally w* resolutions, which were second? E* Mr Carrick, and adopted unanlfflOW The Chairman thenpronounced^ w diction, and the meetinz separate*