THE SUFFERERS BY THE RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 31, 27 May 1876, Page 2

THE SUFFERERS BY THE RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

A fairly-attended meeting of gentlemen was held last evening in the Volunteer Hall, to initiate a fund for the relief of the sufferers by the late Waiareka railway accident. On the motion of Mr. N. Fleming, seconded by Mr. Mowait, Mr. Udall was voted Chairman of the meeting.

The Chairman, on rising, said :—Gentlemen, it is not often I attend public meetings ; in fact, of late years I have rather avoided being present at them, not from any want of sympathy with their objects, but because I am now getting into the sear and yellow leaf. There are occasions, however, when old and young must do what seemeth to them good to help those in need, and tliis is one of those occasions. I do not think it necessary here to enter into the details connected with the cause of the accident. It is quite clear from the evidence wliich was adduced before the Coroner's jury on whom the blame should fall. We are not here to cast reflections on individuals, but to consider the best steps to be taken towards the relief of the unfortunate sufferers. This meeting is not one of charity, but of duty. I know that the owners of that little engine must feel wretched at the terrible responsibility which lies at their door. I have no doubt that when Mr. Mowat explains the particular object for wliich the meeting is called, it will be found that Morrison and Co., the contractors, were prepared to do their share towards the relief of the sufferers. I don't know how it is intended to cany out the details of this relief fund, but I would suggest that there should be a nominating committee, consisting of five members, with the Mayor, for the time being, as chairman. The nominating committee should have power to appoint a sub-committee. The sub-committee should canvass the town thoroughly ; all monies collected should be brought in to the nominating committee, who would discuss the proper way by wliich the funds should be distributed, so that no discontent should exist.

Mr. Andrew Mowat thought it scarcely necessary that he should say much after the clear manner in which Mi*. TJdall had placed the objects of the meeting before those present. Mr. John Main and himself had taken the matter up, and he (the speaker) was anxious that a relief-fund should be properly established before he left town, which, woidd be in a few days. The names of those gentlemen in the advertisement did not include all who had become members of the Committee ; but time would not permit of him seeing everybody, so that those persons whose names did not appear in the paper would, he hoped, not feel annoyed. He informed the meeting that Mr. Mitchell's life was ivninsured, and he had left a widow and four children quite unprovided for. It was impossible to tell where the greatest distress existed. One man (Orr), if he did recover, would be a cripple for some time, and instead of being the support of a wife and family, woidd actually be a drag upon them. In fact, if he did recover the family would actually be in a worse position than if he died, because his life was insured. He did not agree with Mr. TJdall that a nominating committee should first be appointed to nominate another committee. He would propose that the meeting appoint a Committee that would canvass the whole town, and do the work well. He agreed with Mr. TJdall

that the Mayor should be chairman of the Committee. He was sure that the contractors would do all in their power to assist the Committee in carrying out the laudable object it had in view. Mr. Cormack had already instructed him to pay all expenses in connection with the immediate relief of the sufferers, and he was sure no one felt more keenly this deplorable accident than did Mr. Cormack. Major Steward stated that His Honor: Judge Ward had expressed his regret at being unable to attend the meeting, the objects of which had his hearty sympathy, but he had given him (the speaker) a cheque for £5 55., in aid of the fund (applause). Mr. Mowat also handed in a cheque for £5 from Mr. Barraclough. Mr. ISTeil Fleming proposed, and Mr. Main seconded, a resolution, "That the Committee should consist of fifteen town and fifteen country members." This was carried, but later on in the evening Mr. Fleming, with the consent of the seconder, amended his motion, which then read : " The OoiiHiiittee to consist of of twentyfour town and sixteen members." The Chairman was procsediQg to take the names of-gentlemen willing the Committee, when Mr. Clowes suggested that it would be as Avell to understand whether the money gathered now was to be looked upon as an emergency subscription, or whether it was to be°devoted to a'permanent relief fund. He was sure the meeting would like to know what Morrison and Co., the contractors, intended to do. He should like to know whether the sufferers were to receive aid from the public in addition to what they might recover at law if legal proceedings were taken against the contractors ; or° whether Morrison and Co. and the. public were to jointly subscribe —it being understood no action would be taken. So far as he (the speaker) was concerned, in the one instance he should subscribe half a guinea, while in the other the amount of subscription would be much larger. He thought that it would be very disheartening to the Committee to find that after doing the very best they.could for the sufferers it turned out after that the recipients of the subscriptions would commence an action in law against Morrison and Co. He believed that unless it was distinctly understood what course the sufferers intended to adopt with regard to the contractors, the public would not subscribe one quarter the amount they otherwise would. Mr. Fleming thought that it would not do to give subscriptions for benevolent purposes and then bind the recipients down not X to take action. There was no doubt that there had been most culpable carelessness, and it was an action at law which would thoroughly ventilate the matter. He considered that the Committee had nothing whatever to do with law—it was purely a benevolent Committee, and the meeting should proceed at once to elect the members. A desultory conversation then ensued as to the best means to elect a committee, when it was eventually decided that the following gentlemen should act in town and country :

TOWN MEMBERS. Messrs. John. Main, W. J. Steward, IST. Fleming, F. Dunlop, James Bee, Hector Munro, W. Newton, John Bain, Henry Aitken, A. Herdman, W. Christie, C. S. Allen, T. "v 7. Hislop, Thomas Meek, C. Greenfield, J. Church, T. Procter, John Hood, W. Aitken. COUNTRY MEMBERS. ' Messrs. R, M'Auly, E. Menlove, D. Shaw, J. Wheatley, Donald Borrie, J. Maclennan, P. Aitcliison, Mathew Morton, E. B. Atkinson, W. Murcott, John Reid, Herbert Honor, E. F. Diehl, Rev. J. Ryley, H. Schluter, and G. Campbell. Messrs. J. Lemon and C. Peach were appointed secretaries, and Mr. "W. H. Ronayne treasurer. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings.