GISBORNE FLOODS RELIEF.

Evening Star, Issue 12870, 20 July 1906, Page 4

GISBORNE FLOODS RELIEF.

Our- Gisbome correspondent wires: Ai a public meeting held yesterday to devise relief funds in connection with the floods. Mr Bright, manager of the Loan and Merl cantile Company, said he had spent some tune looking over the flooded district, and he fancies that tho leases toad been largely exaggerated. While there were a few cased where temporary assistance Was urgently required, yet in the majority of oasts lie recent prosperous yeans had prut settlers beyond tho want of assistance. Townspeople, before embarking in a spontaneous effort, should ascertain what wore the urgent cases needing relief. There were some cases of hardship, but with a fefr weeks of sunshine it would be found that the flood would be a blessing in disguise. Mr Bright suggested that if country people who had spare grass country took stock from settlers flooded out the bulk of the help that was urgently required would be met. Offers of pasture for stock are being freely received, this being the most practical way of showing assistance. At the same time, it was decided to raise. a relief fund to meet urgent necessities in deserving cases In the course of the discussion Mr Lysnar combated Mr Blight's statement as to the position. Ho said that he had spent a considerable time in going round the district, and there were certain fanners who were mined unless aid were given them. One man could only muster 1 twenty-eight cows out of forty-four, and had lost thirty to forty pigs, besides poultry. Another man, who had just started, had only six pigs left out of tMriy-abc, an<j all his other stock had gone.