THE RECENT FRIGHTFUL BUSH FIRES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 19, 24 January 1898, Page 2

THE RECENT FRIGHTFUL BUSH FIRES.

(To the Editor.) For the cause that lacks assistance For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance. And the good that we can do.

Sir, —The terrible accounts of the recent calamitous bush fires in various parts of the country must have formed a topic of general conversation, and it is sincerely to be hoped that the earnest appeal now being made to assist the poor unhappy sufferers -will meet with a general and ardent response. Failing to notice any reference thereto having been made in any of our city churches it would appear as if the various denominations are so intent on securing funds to meet their OAvn particular requirements they discard or at least neglect the higher and pressing claims of humanity. Consequently, sir, we must seek the aid of the press and its powerful influence in awakening in the public mind practical, brotherly sympathy in this time of dire misfortune.

The horrors of war, famine and pestilence in various parts of the earth are, alas, too frequently chronicled and graphically depicted, but who shall say that the frightful and devastating fury of bush fires is not equally appalling and disastrous to the poor and scattered victims ? In the latest telegrams from Wellington, we read that " in Forty Mile Bush a Mrs Tait died from the effects of injuries received in the recent tire, and her husband is not expected to live. Another man went mad, and lias since died. Mrs Eddie was severely scorched. She and three children were enveloped in flames." Who can read this awful intelligence and remain callous to the pressing needs of the survivors and relatives ?

Believing that the people of Auckland are ever ready to lend a helping- band, as evinced by the liberal aid afforded to the sufferers by the Queensland floods and nnmerous other charitable objects, surely our own unfortunate colonists will not be allowed to appeal in vain. Those amongst us who have had occasion to journey into the country districts either on pleasure or business can testify to the warm and generous hospitality ot the farmers and settlers. • Having had occasion a few years since to spend about ten days in the saddle when travelling from the Manukau Heads through Awitu, Pollock, Waipipi, etc, where there is neither an

hotel nor accommodation-house, I wn*... tirely dependent on the kindness and JS Mature of 1 the various settlers both foTS and a « shake-down,"and cannot too Si speak of the spontaneous and cheX provision made for. myself and SPayment being offered was invariab b t fused ami a hope or wish expressed that i might be around again some futurS Whether amongst English, Scotch oi H settlers the same gaod feeling and C 2 osity prevailed. I cannot therefore . a iw the present opportunity now offered J! pass without saying a good word on X? half of the many poor struggling farmil in their time of trouble and Wavemenf to enclose my mite towards the £e iW fund now being raised, and to solicit S earnestly a cordial response from allckll of the community in relieving the w? burnt out families and assisting them tow build and to provide a nucleus for renkT ing stock and implements destroyed Kobt. Burrow