THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE

Otago Witness, Issue 2252, 29 April 1897, Page 20

THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE

Napier, April 26. The following telegram was recaived by the mayor from the Mayor of Wellington : — " Rumours here that damage has been exaggerated, and that majority of persona suffering loss are iv a position fairly able to bear the losi. Further stated here in telegrams m this morning's paper that many men are drfcking at the bars of public houses while their wives and ohildren are in dire want. Can you enable me publicly to contradict it P Is there *ny reason to believe that- any less claims can fairly be made on public charity than at first anticipated." The mayor has sent an emphatic denial. Only one case of a settler drinking is known. It is quite true that many who mffered heavy lqss are able to bear it without being ruined, but in no instance have they asked for any asuistance, nor would it be given if naked for. Fiva out of every six sufferers are small farmers, market gardeners, &c, who have practically lost everything. The loss, if anything, was under-estimated. Every claim is being atricbly investigated. At last week's meeting of the Dunedin- Burns Club it was decided to vote £5 5s for the Hawko's Biy flood relief fund. Mr Carl Hertz last week received a telegrcm frocn the mayor of Napier thanking him for Lls sympathy nnd his generous offer to give a matinee performance on Saturday on behalf of sufferers by tho floods. Messrs Hoid aud Gray havo telegraphed direch to the Mayor of Napier a donation of £25 for the relief fund, and the Evening Star Company a)so sent a similar doiiation. The Katkorai Bind will play a number of selections in the Gardens on Sunday afternoon, when a collection will be made in aid of the Hawko's Bay relief fund. * The train now runs as far as Farndon, six miles from Napier. A targe gang of men have started work on & deviation of the line, about a mile aud a-half, with two small bridges, and it will be completed by the 17th. Complete restoration of the line will probably require from nine to twelve months. Mr Ronayne, general manager, speaks highly of the work of the staff under the trying circumstances. The Wellington Racing Club have givea £25 to the flood fuud. The Canterbury Jockey Club have donated lOOgs to the Hawke's Bay relief fund. As a result of a meeting on Saturday t.t Hawca a first instalment- of £40 has been remitted to Napier.