THE KAKANUI DISASTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8486, 10 February 1891, Page 5

THE KAKANUI DISASTER.

APPEAL FOR FUNDS. [BY telegraph,—press association.] Dunedin, Monday. A largely-attended public meeting was held to-night to consider the steps to be taken for the alleviation of the distress caused by the Ivakanui disaster. The Mayor presided, and read a number of apologies front gentlemen who in nearly every instance forwarded subscriptions. He also mentioned that the musical people of Dunedin had offered their services. The establishment of a relief fund was resolved upon. On the motion of Dr. Stuart a committee, of which the Mayor of Invercargill was a member, was appointed for the administration of the fund. Mr. Fish, M.H.R., in addressing the meeting expressed a strong opinion that the late Executive were to blame in this matter, and | suggested that the'Kaitangata relief fund of £14,000, and the Clutha River fund of £1000, might bo made available to meet this case by a number of gentlemen guaranteeing the integrity of these funds, and in the very improbable event of Parliament declining to sanction their diversion to this purpose. This would save a direct appeal to the community, which v in the existing condition of trade should be avoided if possible. Messrs. J. L. Gillies, K. Ramsay, and others asserted these funds could not be made available, and Messrs. Lee, Smith, and G. Fenwick took Mr. Smith severely to task for attempting, as they said, to dry up well-springs of charity.