THE WEATHER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7862, 18 May 1886, Page 5

THE WEATHER.

The weather haa continued steadily moderating, and the water has everywhere subsided. The actual damage done to property can hardly be estimated as yet; but the amount of physical suffering entailed upon numbers of householders residing in the low-lying quarters of the city has been very great indeed. In fact there have been hardships endured, exertions made, and aid rendered of which those not directly cognisant of the situation could form no idea. One instance will suffice to show how real was the danger incurred by the weak and helpless : Between twelve and one o’clock on' Sunday morning, Mr Kiddey, of the Star and Garter Hotel, was looking round Willow street with a lantern, when he discovered an elderly woman floundering in the torrent that was flowing down that street. He rescued her from the imminent danger of being swept into the Avon, and then found that she was bleeding profusely from the left temple, having, she said, fallen against a nail while trying to put her house, which had been flooded, into order. With the assistance of a friend, Mr Kiddey took her to the hospital, where the bleeding was stopped, and afterwards removed her home. So serious was the flow of blood that Mr Kiddey’s coat and hat on the side next to the sufferer were literally saturated with it, and but for his timely aid the poor woman must have perished. The distress occasioned to women and little children, and the loss to poor families, have all been met by openhanded and strong-armed generosity, and no doubt any loss directly traceable to nonpreventible causes will be amply made good by the benevolent. In our last issue reference was made to the flooding of Queen street, near the Barbadoes street bridge. We have since been informed that the houses in this locality were not flooded at all, but that the mild panic amongst the occupants was entirely groundless. Up to last evening the following additional particulars had been gathered with reference to the city and suburbs: — On the high terrace at Avonside, just below Ward’s brewery, the ground on the frontage of Mrs Saunders’ garden has slipped into the roadway, obstructing the footpath and the side channel. Considerable damage was done at Dyer’s Pass, where the road leading from the bottom of Colombo street was so badly injured that it has been declared unsafe for traffic. A good deal of money will have to be spent to render it fib for use again. . The refugees from the Ashbourne district, some thirty of whom were housed in the Heathcote Eoad Board Office, have returned to their homes, though the latter are in a sadly dilapidated condition. These people, who were rescued by the exertions of Mr W. T. C. Mills, Clerk to the Koad Board, Constable M'Gill, and others during the early part of Saturday morning, were in many cases destitute, and were supplied by Mr Mills with food, blankets and other necessaries. , It is stated that there is a foot of snow on Porter’s Pass, and that the hills further to the westward are covered with snow. The steam fire engine Deluge was employed yesterday in pumping out the water from the cellar of Mr Kiddey’s Star and Garter Hotel. It was afterwards used to relieve some cottages in Chester street east of the water which had inundated them, and which, as they lie in a hollow, would not run off. THE DOMAIN. The Public Gardens in the Domain did not suffer so much damage as might have been expected, considering the nature of the storm, but the greater part of the herbaceous plants, many of x them valuable specimens, were under water, and those which had been planted a year or two, and were not firmly rooted, will probably die. A fine American gum tree (liquidamber) was smashed down by a falling willow branch, and a couple of large willows were shattered by the force of the wind. The paths of the Gardens have rather benefited by the inundation, which has left them for the most part firm and hard. Several large willows on the right bank of the Avon have been so loosened at their roots that they have canted across the stream, and threaten to seriously obstruct its flow if not soon removed. DISPERSION OF THE SALMON. The labours of Mr S. C. Farr and his co-workers—the members of the Acclimatisation Society—in their endeavours to introduce salmon into Canterbury have, it is feared, been seriously interfered with by the floods. To all those who have taken an interest in this work, and to the public who would have benefited by its success, this must be one of the most disheartening items of intelligence that we have had to record in connection with the recent heavy rainfall. No doubt many will be able to sympathise with Mr Farr, who says that when he saw the whole of the Acclimatisation grounds including of course all the ponds in which were the young English salmon, the salmon trout, perch. Loch Leven and American brook trout —transformed into one lake, in which all distinction of one pond from another, and, indeed, almost every trace of the existence of the ponds themselves had been obliterated —when he saw his " love’s labour lost” in fact, he felt as though "his heart were in his boots.” There were, it is estimated, over 500 salmon, 300 beautiful salmon trout* about ninety Loch Leven trout, and a number of perch, American brook trout and golden carp, all of which must have been mixed together indiscriminately in the flood, and for the most part would find their way to the river. The curator, Mr Starkiss, and his assistant are doing all they. can by keeping a sharp look-out in the hope of securing some of the fish as the water subsides. It is feared that many will be killed by being left on the flats; but the majority, Mr Farr thinks, would find their way down the Avon, and as he says, we shall have anyamount of hybrids. Thisisnotwhat the Acclimatisation Society have been working for, however. There is also the dispersion of the other fish to be considered, and Mr Farr estimates the money value of the loss to the Society cannot be less than .£SOO. He had intended to keep some of the salmon in the ponds in order to breed what are known as “ land-locked salmon,” which have been bred with considerable success in America. His hopes in this direction will, it is to be feared, be frustrated. So far as can be ascertained at present only one of the salmon has been found in the gardens, and this was discovered alive and seemingly hearty in the race near the hatching house. The hopes of the acclimatisationists are now centred, to a great extent, on the 36,000 salmon fry in the hatchery, which, though small, are healthy. It is to be hoped that the friends of acclimatisation will come forward-4t the present crisis in support of a Society which has certainly done good work - in the district. Great credit, it should be mentioned, is due to the curator and his assistant for the manner in whi jh they worked, sometimes waist deep in water, to save the birds and animals from the enclosures on the low ground. Their efforts were successful, for only one or two of the birds were-dtownedv Last night the weather appeared to have

cleared up for a time, but the watery aspect of the sky towards the south-west seemed to indicate that more showers may be anticipated. [from our own correspondents.] The damage to grain by the late flood is not in No. 2, Harbour Board store, but in No. 2, Railway store, at Lyttelton. GOVERNOR'S BAT. Our correspondent writes, under date Friday, May 14:—All day the rain has been coming down in a deluge. As night drew on, the mountain creeks, swollen with such an excess of drainage, became frightful torrents, bearing down debris of heavy bush. Now and again a heavy trunk would be arrested in its course by the abutting rocks in the narrow gullies, backing up the water. until the dam burst with a frightful crash, carrying with it the immense boulders that had been lodged in the bed of the creek for ages. The residents who live in the gullies viewed with increasing apprehension these frightful cataracts thundering past their door. At about half-past nine one of the creeks deviated from -its course, and struck the premises of Mr Cowlin. The house was crushed to the ground, its inmates, Mr and Mrs Cowlin and their invalid daughter, escaping through a broken window, the latter having to be dragged out in her nightdress. The poor girl was carried a long distance through the pitiless rain to the nearest neighbour, where she now lies in a very critical condition. Mr and Mrs Cowlin, on reaching shelter, were also greatly exhausted. On visiting the scene of the havoc, not a vestige remained of the stable and outhouses; in fact, the sites, were not even recognisable. The stable contained a horse and buggy, both of which were engulfed in the torrent. Many of the neighbours have been up all night watching their dwellings, and listening to the ominous crashes in the gullies with anxiety. As far as can be gleaned, many of the bridges and culverts have been washed away, and it will be some time before traffic can be resumed. Later, Saturday Afternoon. The rain is lifting from the hills. The devastation made by the watercourses is remarkable. Wide serrated lanes reach up to the summit of the hills, down which numerous boulders have bowled, mowing the thick scrub like grass. The roads in the Bay are in a dreadful state. All the bridges have suffered more or less, many of them being entirely swept away, leaving wide yawning chasms, which will require a heavy expenditure to repair. How the Road Board are going to raise funds is a matter of serious conjecture. Many of the fertile little patches noted for the earliest fruit and vegetables are literally macadamised with boulders. In fact, to use the phrase of an old resident, the place seems to be a wreck. Much sympathy is felt in the locality for Mr Cowlin. His losses are very great. Not only has he lost his premises, but a quantity of choice fruit trees and some of the best of his land. Miss Cowlin is still in a very precarious state. CHAIN'S. Not in the recollection of the oldest residents here (and that dates nearly 40 years past in some cases) has such a flood been witnessed as the present one. The rain began on Thursday night, and Friday was a dreadful day. It poured incessantly, with a gale blowing at the same time. Trees have been thrown down, and felled timber by hundreds of cords has been washed down the river to the flats, and in some cases to the sea. Nearly all the level country has been under water, and in one house it reached to the bedding on the bedsteads ; the family having to move upstairs. One bridge on the main road has been bodily removed a mile down the river, and the inconvenience caused thereby will be great, as a considerable time must elapse before another one can be erected. Mr Ware’s smithy, too, has been completely demolished, as it stood near the river bank. Communication between the two sides of the river is carried on by a small punt. This will be very awkward for the children to and from the school. The weather prevented there bein g any school on Friday, or service in the church on Sunday. A great deal of damage has been done to the paddocks, fences, and sheds; serious loss in many instances must result to the owners. One man and his wife had, at 10 p.m. on Friday night, to be drawn off a small island formed by the water, by their taking hold of a rope and being pulled ashore. The ketch Catherine, which was ready to sail for Lyttelton, has been delayed, I daresay for a few days. The water has now considerably subsided, but it does not appear as if all the rain even over. So far, I have not heard.of any loss of stock, there being hills around Okain’s, In this quiet place the events of the past three days have produced quite an excitement, such, however, as is not again desired by any of us. A good deal of grass seed has lately been sown on the hillsides, much of which, I fear, must have been washed away. Our mail, due on Friday, did not reach us. Doubtless the coach would be unable to travel to Pigeon Bay for it by the s.s. Akaroa, I trust it will come with the mail due to-day. We are all anxious for news. CHEBTSET. We are just now experiencing one of the severest and most prolonged spells of wet weather we have had in the district this season. Since Thursday it has been one continual downpour of rain, accompanied by piercing blasts from the southwest, and a correspondent at the Rakaia informs me that floods are imminent in his district. Up to the present date (Saturday) there are no signs of the weather clearing up; but as the barometer is slowly rising, an improvement in the weather may shortly be expected. The roads in the district are all but impassable, and extensive sheets of water meet the eye in all directions. Our soil, however, is a very absorbent one, and storm traces soon vanish here on the advent of good weather. AKAROA. We have had a second edition of the stormy weather that visited us more than a fortnight ago. This second downpour was even heavier than the first, making the creeks rise higher than before, and causing such a flood across the main street near Rodrigues’ Hotel that small logs of wood washed down from the hillsides by the creek were carried over the road into various premises. The principal bridges still remain, except the two that went a fortnight ago; but several smaller bridges, such as the manse bridge and one above it, are now carried away. Further damage has been done to the roads and footpaths, and also to some gardens, especially the Chinaman’s, the worked soil, with the plants growing in it, having been washed away by perches. Had there not been a former flood to clear the way for this last one the destruction would probably have been much more extensive. Hundreds of tons of wood must have been moved by the water, a great deal of it finding its way into the harbour, and being strewn upon the beach by a high tide and south-east wind. On Friday the tide must have been higher than for a very long time, for it floated off the once famous boat Scud, which had lain on the shore for several years. The Government lifeboat was also _ washed about, and got a plank broken in. She broke down from her davits in the previous rain. Outside the Borough much serious injury has been done, especially to the main coach road. On Saturday morning, telegraphic communication beyond Duvauchelle was stopped, and nothing could be learnt of the return of the coach from Little River. The driver, R. Mayne, arrived about 10 at night, but had to leave his coach behind him. , It is reported that there is a heavy land-

slip on the road between Barry Bay and the Hilltop, and that the wreck of a culvert a mile or two this side of Duvauchelle will the passage of the coach. Littie River is very badly flooded, there being 2ft of water in the railway station. The mails will probably have to be carried on horseback for a time. The steam launch was unable to carry the mail over to Wamui on Friday, in consequence of the harbour being so rough. She tried to cross on Saturday morning, but had to turn back before getting over. Almost all the roads of the Peninsula are advertised as unsafe for Travellers cannot be too cautious in traversing the County for some time to come. The state of the town seemed so serious on Friday night that His Worship the Mayor circulated a printed note on Saturday morning calling upon people to use their best efforts to prevent further damage. Several persons went to see what assistance they could render, but, fortunately, the weather moderated, and all danger of further disaster soon disappeared. The Mayor and Councillors and their officers cannot be too much praised for the strenuous exertions they made with their own hands, as well as by their counsel, to save the property of the burgesses both upon this occasion and also a fortnight ago. AMBERLEY. From the accounts of the weather at other places, we may consider Amberley a favoured locality, for the only damage done by the flood has been by the deviation of the Kowai river from its former course, carrying away the approach on the South bank to the footbridge at Amberley, washing away the bank for about a chain, and throwing up a new one for, itself about three feet high, thus leaving the remainder of the old bridge high and dry as a monuf ment of its use in former days. SPRINGFIELD. Although since Thursday last the weather has been uncommonly rough, and rain fell uninterruptedly until Monday morning, yet the quantity was not sufficient to cause any alarm; but, indeed, we are at such a height, and the water which falls runs off so quickly, that we may be said to be almost beyond the reach of injury by floods. For a little while to-day (Monday) the sun peeped out, but the sky is again overcast and wears a threatening appearance. Snow has been falling plentifully on the hills, and even as low as along the the West Coast road, ‘and Mr Cassidy had a pretty tough experience with the coach last trip. ASHBURTON. Yesterday (Sunday) there was but slight rain in Ashburton, and last evening the clouds were breaking up, with every promise of fair weather. GUST. The rain, which has continued from Wednesday evening, has now abated. The Cust Valley has been flooded, but no serious damage has been done. The river is rapidly going down. No damage has been done to the railway. There is every indication that the weather has cleared up. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Mat 17. The gale yesterday did but little damage in town, except the uprooting of trees and the dislodging of chimney pots, and with the exception of one or two small yachts being sunk, the shipping escaped. The Hutt railway line was in one part washed away for about SO yards, leaving the sleepers suspended for a considerable distance at either side of the break. The wall was also undermined and tunnelled by the sea, rendering it precarious for probably 100 yards. In consequence of this obstruction, it was necessary to send out a train from town, to which the Petone and Hutt -passengers could be transferred at the breach.- The same system was continued during the day.r The Hutt River was a good deal swollen last night, but it was'hct in heavy flood. Some damage has, however Jbeen done near Belmont. An elderly settler named John Pringle was residing by himself in a small wooden house close to the river bank. At daylight this morning it was observed by the neighbouring settlers that the house had disappeared, and the old man was standing on a small patch of ground cut off from the mainland by the river having made a fresh branch. Various efforts were made to rescue him from his dangerous position, but it was not until half-past eight that a lad on horseback, leading another horse, managed to swim across and bring him off. At Masterton heavy rains have fallen since midnight on Saturday. The railway bridge at Waingara is dangerous, the southward piers being loosened and traffic is stopped. The nearly completed bridge at Wainmoru has been washed away, and all the scaffolding. The Waipoa washed over the Opaki culverts, which were up. The roads are impassable. The weather cleared up this morning, the rain ceasing and the wind graduating into a fresh breeze. WOODVILLE, Mat 17. Heavy and continuous rain has fallen in this district during the past twenty-four hours. The Manawatu River at the Gorge Ferry bridge has risen to nearly 30ft. The usual average height is 10ft. It is still rising. The ,wire structure at the Gorge Ferry has been carried away, and no communication even by boat is possible. Traffic is suspended and the mails ate delayed in consequence. FEILDING, Mat 17. The heavy rain has caused floods in the Makino and Oroua rivers. The approaches to the Awahuri bridge at the Peilding end are now washing away, and traffic is stopped. RELIEF MEASURES. A meeting, convened by His Worship the Mayor, of persons willing to assist in devising means to alleviate the distress caused by the recent heavy rains was • held at 4 o’clock this afternoon in tha Provincial Council Chamber ; present Messrs John Ollivier, T. S. Weston, Corley, Mills, Mitchell, Crooks, Dryden, Haskins, Dr Russell, the Revs Cholmondeley, Flayell, Bond, Pascoe, Cairns, Father Ginaty, Hie Very Rev the Dean, Archdeacon Lingo* d, and the Mayor Apologies were sent from Mr G. Gould, who forwarded a cheque for £lO, and Mr A. J. White, who sent a cheque for £5. His Worship took the chair, and in introducing the business mentioned that he had already heard of several cases of distress, and felt convinced that others would be reported. He had, therefore, called the meeting to organise measures for relief. There were several cases in which immediate relief would secure a fair amount of moderate comfort for a few families. He' had sent circulars to those gentlemen who he thought would be most conversant with the financial circumstances of families who had suffered. He had heard of three or four cases of real distress, and no doubt others present had also. He would suggest that a Committee should be formed to make enquiries, and thus enable help to be promptly rendered. He mentioned Messrs Ollivier, Mills, and others, who had been making enquiries, and could probably report cases of distress to thej meeting. Mr Ollivier was sorry to say that he thought the action of his Worship the Mayor was somewhat premature. He,, Mr Ollivier, had devoted much time to visiting place after place to see if any cases of real distress had occurred. In cases such as the present, which was so out of the usual course, there ought to be no need of any stimulating of charity by the Mayor, the natural feelings of humanity being quite sufficient to die-

tate to all the necessity for relief being given. ‘He had heard but of one case ot severe distress, and that was where a man s house had had one end of it washed away, and had also had his furniture, clothing, Ac., carried away. A thoughtful neighbour in this instance carried the man ana his family to an hotel in town, where he was most hospitably entertained. He (Mr Ollivier) was not going to mention the publican’s name, for his hotel was no exception, because he knew another publican ■who had entertained a number of refugees until the water had retired frorn their houses, and when they left asked from them not one shilling as a fee. The present circumstances forcibly reminded him that Christchurch had lost the services of the Benevolent Aid Society—(hear)— and with it the sum of £BOO, which might now have been used with great effect, and have rendered the Mayor’s appeal unnecessary, He maintained that such an institution as that ought immediately to be re-established in order to deal with cases of emergency when they arose. He failed to see any peculiar cause for action being taken just now, though there might have been severe losses sustained by some unfortunate farmers with their potatoes, or a flock of sheep, or a lot of pigs. One man had asserted that he had lost several cows. The loss of pigs he could believe, but he must say that the cows he could not swallow. The man who attempted to cram those cows down his throat was too well-known to him for him to place any reliance on his assertions. But these were cases of a character which the meeting would not seek to relieve. What they . desired was to relieve suffering humanity. He was quite sure that if there had been one iota of such suffering, the kind-hearted, noble-minded neighbours would have, and bad, given relief. He did not want to throw cold water on the proceedings of the meeting; so far from that he would add his contribution to any fund, not believing that such fund would be now required, but thinking it desirable to have one as a nest egg for future use. There was no knowing what might happen. There might be going to be a repetition of the experiences of the last few days, and then there might be brought about destitution, which, he was happy to believe, did not yet exist. He hoped the meeting would not mix up the necessities of the unemployed with the necessities of those who were now experiencing what he would call a visitation of God, and one which human charity ought at once to relieve. (Applause.) Mr Weston said that, after the remarks made by the last speaker, the meeting appeared to him to fill rather a peculiar position. His Worship the Mayor had convened the meeting, no doubt, with the very best intentions, but he (Mr Weston) would submit with every respect that having called the meeting the Chairman should have been prepared to place before it what had created the necessity for the action he had pleased to take. The Chairman had advanced no argument to prove the necessity for public help, while the remarks and experience of Mr Ollivier utterly disproved the necessity for the aid the Chairman had advocated. He (Mr Weston) agreed with Mr Ollivier as to the humanity that had been shown by the hotelkeepers, and could echo the complimentary remarks just made; he also agreed as to the necessity of keeping this movement separate from any connection with the unemployed. The greatest sufferers, the real sufferers, were the farmers; and he could name some whose losses in the aggregate would amount to many thousands of pounds. But to give help to the farmers and those that suffered in the same way would be uncalled for, and help in many instances would be repudiated. Wnether or not the meeting would adjourn till further information had shown the need for the movement, it was for those present to say. Like his friend Mr Ollivier, he was prepared to contribute bis mite to any fund for the present or any future cases. He would sujggest-TiSaf the meeting should stand acijOlirned for a fortnight, in order that ife'lmght be ascertained whether or nqt-'there was any need for action. [Several voices : “ A week.”] He would move—“ That we adjourn for a week, and that, in the meantime, enquiries be made as to the condition of those who have suffered from the floods.”

Dr Eussell, as one who had had some experience, must urge that it was quite impossible to say that many children would not be taken ill from the effects of exposure, &c. To provide for these it would be necessary to raise funds, which would be available immediately when required. He agreed in praising the conduct of the publicans, but submitted that the publicans should not be made to bear tho whole burden. Something should he done by the general public to take a share in tho responsibility. The flood was only just over, and who could tel! how many cases of pneumonia might arise. Measles and lung complaints were just now prevalent among the young, and the damp houses would greatly aggravate those diseases. The delay of a week might fill many graves with children, whom a few' shillings now laid out would save.

The Eev T. E. Cairns seconded the adjournment of the meeting. He had not heard of any case where there was, or likely to be, extreme suffering. Let the meeting adjourn for a week, and in the meantime get information, »nd then, if necessary, form Committees. While paying this, he fully recognised that the Mayor’s action had been thoughtful and deserved the thanks of the community. (Hear.) The Very Eev the Dean said that, while supporting the, motion, he thought Dr Bussell’s remarks were aimed against an adjournment for so long a time as a fortnight. He would beg leave to add to the motion, "That, in the meantime, the Mayor he authorised to use any funds in his hands for the relief of cases of emergency.” Mr Weston seconded the addition.

The Rev Father Ginaty, as far as he had heard and seen, could not quite agree with all that had been said. He deemed it very unwise to postpone action for a fortnight. During the last two hours he had passed through Waltham, Ac., and had seen numerous cases of groat distress. One person had told him of two families she had herself taken in. Another ease was where a woman had been confined under very sad circumstances. In another house be had found a mother sitting by the fireside, with no energy to dry the clothes, which were all huddled together in a heap. At Ashbourne be had seen a mother who had sent her family of ten children to a boarding-house, &c. As far as he could see, there was scarcely a house in Ashbourne that was not flooded. One person told him of the loss of £SO worth of property he had sustained. Not only cows had been lost, but also large numbers of fowls, from which some poor people made a portion of their income. Avonside was literally flooded. Although tho publicans no doubt fully deserved the praise bestowed on them, he knew of one case where 18s had had to be paid for a few hours in a hotel. He thought it would be very unwise to adjourn for a fortnight, and would rather suggest that an active Committee, the members of which should not be all from one locality, should be appointed, and let them make enquiries and take the steps necessary for relieving distress. He thought it most essential that good fires should be kept up in every place, otherwise there would be no end of illness. He knew, already, of several young girls, who were stricken down with rheumatic fever. He would urge upon the meeting the old maxim, that prevention was better than cure. (Applause.) The Rev T. Flavell seconded Father Ginaty’s proposal, as the wiser course of the two. Matters of this kind should be taken in hand at once, or relief would come too late to be of any nse. Mr Mills, as intimately acquainted with Ashbourne, mentioned the case of a man

who had to get out of a window to procure assistance for his sister, who was in labour. Through the whole of Ashbourne, he, all Saturday, had been at work with & horse and cart, and knew the extent of the injury done. He thought it would be wise to take action at once, as Father Ginaty bad suggested. He had from one house carried out a child of eight years who was ill with the measles. That child had now gone back to its home, where two feet of water had been on the floor,’and the meeting would acknowledge that that was scarcely a suitable place for it. He knew another case where the man was away at Timaru, and the family were living on bread and butter. He believed that such cases should be relieved at once. (Hear.) His Worship had not come prepared to give many instances, but knew that there were some, as he had already stated. He urged that people who were suffering, and perhaps dying, should be relieved without delay. If a Committee were organised, they would then know what cases required relief. Should it be found that no cases required relief, so much the better. Mr Corley knew men who had lost cows, others who had lost horses, vehicles, and sheep by the hundred. He knew what the people had to suffer, for he had been swamped ont himself, when in Dunedin. He instanced the case of a woman who had been confined on a table, the doctor standing up to his waist in water. He (Mr Corley) had not means to give a cheque, but would give a week or a fortnight of his time to collect subscriptions, or to assist the Mayor in any way. Mr Ollivier knew the state of things in! his neighbourhood, for he had been working in water up to his knees for three hours on Sunday. Those persons who had borne, so manfully the privations had not been given pecuniary assistance, but had experienced what was better, their kind-hearted neighbours’ charity. The Eev Father Ginaty moved—“ That a temporary active Committee be organised to report to an adjourned meeting.” Mr Mitchell seconded this. Father Ginaty had made a very good suggestion, and that was when he pointed out the need for coals and fuel, for warmth would be essentially necessary. The unfortunates, in this instance, did not know whom to apply to, but tha Committee could find them out, and send coal and blankets to them immediately. Before the end of the week further information could come in. The Committee, as Father Ginaty had suggested, should be composed of persons from the various localities. Mr Weston supported the suggestion of Father Ginaty, and pointed out that it did not clash with his own proposal. At the end of a week the extent of the suffering could be ascertained, and measures could be taken for its relief. He was quite willing that Father Ginaty’s resolution should precede his. Mr Ollivier thought the meeting should authorise the Mayor to administer aid to any case coming officially before him. The public would then know that somebody was ready to give assistance. Those present could meet again that day week to organise. The present formation of a Committee would be a difficult matter. The Eev T. Flavell submitted that it would not take five minutes. After some farther discussion, Mr Corley suggested that the Mayors of the suburban municipalities should be requested to communicate to the Mayor of Christchurch any cases of distress they might become acquainted with. Father Ginaty’s motion was then put and carried unanimously,, and the following wore nominated as the Committee: —The Mayors of Sydenham and St Albans, tbe Chairmen of the Linwood and Woolston Town Boards, the Eeverends Archdeacon Lingard, Father Ginaty, G. Bond, Cairns, Pascoe, and Cocks, Messrs Crooks, Mills, Mitchell, Dryden, and Dr Eussell, with power to add to their number, and to report to the adjourned meeting next Monday. Mr Weston then moved—“ That we stand adjourned for a week from to-day; and that in the meantime the Mayor be empowered to use any means placed in his hands for the purpose of relieving urgency cases.” This was duly seconded and agreed to. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting. The Committee then held a brief meeting.