THE HAWKES BAY FLOODS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10429, 29 April 1897, Page 5

THE HAWKES BAY FLOODS.

PUBLIC MEETING. A mketinu of citizens was held yesterday afternoon at the City Council Chambers to consider what) steps ehould be taken to assist the sufferers by the recent disastrous floods in the Hawke's Bay district. About thirty persons were preaent, including Mesdamea Greenwood and MoDonald, the Hone. William McCullough, M.L.C., William Sanson, H.L.C., the Rev. T. F. Robertson, Messrs. \V. Crowther, M.H.R., F. G. Ewington, John Abbott, R. Cameron, and a number of oity counoillore. Mr. Peter Dignan, Acting-Mayor, was voted to the chair.

Mr. Ewington thought the first to be aided should be the widows of those who had lost their lives.

Mr, Abbott impressed on the meeting the necessity of prompt action in tho matter.

Mr. R, FarkeiJj proposed, and it was resolved, " That this meeting expresses its sympathy with the sufferers by the late floods, and will take ctops to supplement the subscriptions already raised." On the suggestion of Mr. Abiiott It was agreed to form a committee to collect funds, and the following were appointed, with power to add to their number:—The City councillors, the mayors and councillors of suburban boroughs, city members of the Legislative Council and lloumi of Representatives, and those proientin the room, Mr. A. J. Allom, who is intimately acquainted with the Hawke'a B<iy district, was appointed hon. secretary, and Mr. John Abbott, hon. treasurer. On the proposition of tho Rev. T. F, Robertson, the Secretary agreed to coramunioato with ministers of religion in the city and suburbs to invite congregational subscriptions.

Mr. P. A. Philips, Town Clerk, said liite had been lefb at the banks and other institutions. Tho amounb now in hand to the credit of the fund is £175. This was augmented at the meeting by £1 Is each from the following gentlemen: The Hon, W. McUullough, Messrs, Adam Cairns, Chin?, and Mahoney, The committee is to meet again this afternoon in tho chambers at> 2 o'clock.

A private telegram from Napier states that the body of Henry Brierly, formerly of Auckland, and drowned in the recent floods, has been recovered. It was found impossible to forward the body to Auckland for interment, and tho funeral took placo at Napier yesterday afternoon.

Lrbd evening, at the Opofa Home, the Greenwood Family, in response to the invitation of the Town Clerk, generously tendered a benefit performance in aid of the sufferers by the rooonfc Hawko's Bay floods. The attendance, however, was by no means What might hare been expected under the circumstances, more particularly in view of the fact that apart from the deserving nature of thecauee, a veryehjoyable evening's entertainment Was provided. The programme included the burletque "Romeo and J ullet Up to Date," in which Miss Maribel, as feomeo, scored a most distinct success, while the several other ohnraoters were capably sustained, the performances evoking much applause itnd creating no inconsiderable amount of amusemenb. Miss Maribel was in cnpital voice, her vocal contributions being emphatically re-demanded. With regard to the sparsity of attendance it might be mentioned that Mr?. Greenwood and the members of the family have for some days past been disposing of tickets in aid of the cause, and a very large proportion of those sold were not presented last evening. Thus it is to b»i hoped that a fair sum will be realised in aid of the cause.

A subscription list for the relief of sufferers by the Hawke's Bay flodd has been opened by Mr. 6, J. Jackson, stationer, Onehunga, and n number of subscriptions have been recoived,

Wo beg to acknowledge further donations towards the Hawke'e Bay Hood relief fund a; under:—A. G. Bartiett. £1 Is; J.L. and family, fl $ Alles iTownshentl, SS; Ueuti.Coldtiel Chaflton Dawson, £2 2a J H. D. Johnson, £1: total, £5 B*.

A long and varied programme has been arranged for the concert to be given tomorrow evening at the City Hall In aid of the sufferers by the Hawke'e Bay floods. The Auckland Banjo Club and lending vocalists and instrumentalists are included in the programme, and there is every prospect of a most enjoyable concert. Apart from this, the fact that) help is urgently needed should go fur to secure a crowded houßo.

Brisbane, April 28. It Is probable that the £500 standing to the credit of the central flood relief fund will be forwarded to New Zealand fot the relief of the Hawke'e Bay sufferers. Later.

The Mayor presided at the meeting to organise It New Zealand relief fund. It was resolved to cable the £670 lying to the credit of the Queensland Central Relef Fund to the Mayor of Napier; also to open a relief fund, arid appeal for help throughout) Queensland. Napier, Wednesday. At an inquest held here on the bodies found floating in the harbour and identified an John Rote and Harry Brierley, the jury returned a verdiot that) "deceased Were accidentally drowned while bravely atteinptiug to me the lives of others." Riders were added that no inquest Will be necessary if any other bodies are found and identified, also that the Government be recommended to keep a suitable boat at Olive for the use of residents in case of emergency, and that the resident* of Clite be recommended to form a volunteer brigade to man the boat. Wakoanui, Wednesday. The adjourned meeting in connection with the relief fund in aid of the sufferers by the floods was held to-night, the Mayor presiding. There was a fairly good attendance, 'f he treasurer reported some £520 in band, Id was pointed out by several that it would be absurd to send money out of the district to Kapler while losses in this district were jo great. Particulars had been alow in coming to hand, bat every day details of great losses in Wangaehu, Turakina, and Rangitikei Valleys were being received, not only European settlers have Buffered, but natives in many cases were .practically ruined and require assistance. It was recognised that people outside the districts did. not realise the damage done here, The general trend of the discussion was. that charity begins at home, and our local sufferers would have to be succoured before those at distance. It was resolved that the Mayors and chairmen of county , counoils between Patea and Palmerston North be asked to apply the fundi raised to assist those settlers who had suffered in the districts named. . Canvasiers have been appointed. After relieving wants in Shis district/ the balance of the to Will be eenfc to Napier, . ;,.