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New Zealander, Volume XIX, Issue 1790, 10 February 1863, Page 3

RELIEF OF THE "ORPHEUS" SUFFERERS. A public meeting: was held yesterday morning at 10 o'clock, in the Mechanics' Institute, with the object in view of taking some measures for the relief of the survivors from the late melancholy shipwreck. Amongst those present were Bishop Patteson, the lion. Reader Wood, the hon. F. Dillon Hell, his Honor the Superintendent, Messrs. J. A. Gillillan, YV. C. Daldy, J. W. Bain, Thornton, YV. Ewen, Dr. Kcnderdine, W. Rattray, Salmon, Bracey, Moore, (from Wellington,) J. H. Crawford, D. Bum, E. King, Dr. Home, 11. Hardington, J. J. FitzGibbon, Stewart. On the motion of Mr. J. A Gilfii.lax, seconded by the hon. R. Wood, his Honor the Superintendent took the chair. The Chairman expressed his gratification at the honor done him. Ho would have had greater pleasure in taking such a position had it been on a less melancholy occasion. He felt it was their duty to express their sorrow and regret at what had taken place, and thought something should be done immediately to relieve the sufferings of those who had been shipwrecked. That, he believed was the object of the present meeting, and he had no doubt that the people of Auckland would, with their usual liberality, supply the necessary wants of those distressed people. He himself had been shipwrecked on two occasions very recently, and it was with the greatest pleasure that lie met a European face after being shipwrecked, as a gentleman present could testify, for Mr. Moore was the first whom he met after one of those occasions. Bishop Pattesox said he had called on his way here, on His Excellency the Governor, to see if he had any suggestion to make on the matter. His Excellency said he knew, of course, that every one was desirous to give what assistance they could, and at once; for as the Miranda was to sail in a t'cxv hours, carrying these unfortunate people with her, there was no time to be lost; and he had authorized him to state that he (the Governor) would be very willing himself to subscribe £SO, hoping that some estimate would be made at once of what ought to be the sum provided, and that instantly, for the survivors; and making a hasty calculation at £lO a head, he had authorised him (Bishop Patteson) to say that he would contribute £SO. He might also state that the Bishop of New Zealand would contribute £2O. The necessary steps must be taken, however, before the Miranda sailed. Mr. J. A. Gilfillan moved, " That this meeting desires 'o express its deep regret for the unhappy loss of H. M.S. Orpheus, and so many of her gallant officers and ship's company; its warm sympathy with the survivors; and its readiness to render every aid in its power to relieve their sufferings, and lessen the losses they have sustained." Seconded by the hon. R. Wood, and carried unanimously. The Chairman said the next thing was for gentlemen to come forward and put their names down. £9O had already been subscribed. Mr. FrrzGinnoN said it should be known that the usual rule in ships-of-war in the division of money was not share and share alike, but so many shares to one and so many shares to another, according to rank. He thought it would be advisable in this case to say, when the money was handed over, that it should be equally divided amongst the survivors. The" hon. F. D. Bell said no time was to be lost about the next step —the collection of .subscriptions; and he begged to move, " That a committee heappointed to receive subscriptions, and make the necessary arrangements foi distributing the amount by noon this day." Committee to consist of, the Superintendent, Bishop Patteson, Hon. 11. Wood, Mr. Gilfillan, Mr. Thornton. Seconded by Dr. Horne, and carried unanimously. Mr. D. Burn reminded the meeting- that there was but all hour Of SO DetWCen the pi-ractit time ami[he sailing of the Miranda, so that unless the money could be got almost immediately, the intention of the subscription would be frustrated. He knew that many of those unfortunate men were (not figuratively bat actually) absolutely naked. Tiie.y wanted clothes, theretore, and they wanted other little necessaries such as tea, sugar, tobacco, &c., to make them comfortable on their passage, for they were only passengers in the Miranda. The utmost dispatch must therefore bo used, so that, they may be provided with these things. The Chairman said the Superintendent would take upon himself to advance the money that might be subscribed, without waiting for its being put down. (Applause.) Captain Daldy moved, "That the following gentlemen be appointed collectors for the Orpheus Fund:— Messrs. C. Stephenson, E. King, W. Rattray, E. G. Matthews, G. E. Lee, Stewart, H. Hardington, W. Ewen, J. J. FitzGibbon. Carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. J. J. Fitzgihhox a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman. Before the meeting separated, the hon. R. Wood, Colonial Treasurer, said, that as the time left for collection was so exceedingly short, only a small amount might be subscribed sufficiently soon, he would see that £6OO at least should be forwarded, (applause.) which amount would doubtless be covered by the subscriptions that would be received.

A meeting of the committee was held in the Mechanics' Institute, in the afternoon, the Superintendent in the, chair.

The CiiAiitsiAX stated that Mr. Gilfillan and himself had hccn on board the Miranda that afternoon, and had seen Captain Jenkins, who told them they were too late, the money having been already paid over to the men by the Colonial Treasurer. The general feeling on board was that a subscription would be entered into, and a liberal sum collected for the widows and orphans of the deceased, out of the funds now paid to the men. Mr. J. W". Bain moved, " That as the disastrous loss of H.M.S. Orpheus at the ManuhauHeads will leave a great number of widows and orphans totally unprovided for, subscription lists should be immediately opened, and the committee appointed at the meeting this morning, with power to add to their number, be authorized to carry out this object, and make all necessary arrangements lor the proper distribution of the same. Subscription Lists to lie at the different. Banks and public offices; and that the lion. Header G. Wood be appointed Honorary Treasurer." The motion having been seconded by Dr. Horse, was put and carried unanimously. The amount paid over was £lO a-piece for 09 survivors—£G9o. Upwards of £6OO was subscribed yesterday. All that is collected above £G9O will be devoted to the -widows and orphans of the deceased, the subscription being continued ia accordance with the above resolution.