The Star. SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1881. THE TARARUA DISASTER.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 111, 7 May 1881, Page 2

The Star. SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1881.

THE TARARUA DISASTER.

"We are glad to find that in different parts of New Zealand real practical sympathy is being shown towards the bereaved ones. This, one of the most highly favored districts in the colony, ought not to be behind hand in aiding the good work. We would suggest that a requisition should be presented to the Chairman of the Hawera Road Board, the Chairman of the Ngaire .Road Board, and the Chairman of the Hawera Town Board, requesting them, as the heads of the three representative bodies at this end of the county, to convene a public meetiDg without delay, for the purpose of taking steps towards alleviating the wide distress which must inevitably be caused to the families of many of those who perished in the ill-fated vessel. Colonists are apt to pride themselves,

and justly so, that neither their ears nor their pockets are ever closed to any tale of real distress. Nearly every man, every woman, every boy, and every girl, throughout the length and breadth of the colony, can help in assuaging the bitterness of the calamity. We trust, therefore, that steps will be at once taken in this district to snow that by deeds, and not words, do we thoroughly, heartily, earnestly, and sincerely sympathise with those who, in many instances, will be left without a breadwinner. And let it be remembered that he who gives quickly gives twice. If a public meeting is not convened, we shall start a subscription-list in aid of the sufferers at this office ; bufc the course we have indicated, if adopted, would, we feel sure, be the most effective one. As the Hawera Eoad Board will meet this afternoon, and as Mr. Southey, Chairman of the Ngaire Road Board, will probably be in town, no time should be lost in getting up the requisition.