BEAUTIFUL GESTURE

Northern Advocate, 21 December 1929, Page 9

BEAUTIFUL GESTURE

GREETINGS AND THANKS. STRICKEN POPULACE GRATEFUL. . WELLINGTON, Friday. Murchison people, through their local Earthquake Relief Committee, send to the people of New Zealand a message of Christmas greeting and thanks for the splendid manner in which they “spontaneously and liberally subscribed to the relief, funds,” which not only cheered them up, but enabled them materially to restore their homes. Inter alia, the message says: ‘'ln fact, the first day or two after June 17, when nerves were shaken, homes wrecked, and much of the countryside devastated, a dark cloud seemed to hang over us, but soon the silver lining began to show, for we heard by . wireless and read in the papers that relief, funds were being , - raised in several centres. Day by . day the movement spread, until we realised that the whole of the people { of the ominion were eager to bear some of our burden, and we were able, at once, to face our difficulties with renewed hope. “The phychological effect of your prompt action was of the utmost im- ! portance. Almost before we could fully realise the extent of onr loss, . your generous assistance was in sight and we at once took heart. We realised, that with so many of, you standing by, we could approach the difficult task of reconstruction with courage and confidence. Had it not been for that liberal measure of sympathy and financial help, some would doubtless have been ruined and others would have completely lost heart. “And now, because of all that you have done for us, we are, for the mosf part, rapidly recovering in mind bodv and estate. Some of us are still unable to return to our homes for various reasons, but our lot is not so bad after all. Thanks to your generosity we shall all be able to enjoy our Christmas. Thanks again to your great generosity.”