MEETING AT TAPANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2394, 18 January 1900, Page 72

MEETING AT TAPANUI.

The patriotic fund has been taken in hand in Tapanui, and a strong committee was appointed at a public meeting on Friday evening to carry out the details. A list circulated in the meeting resulted in nearly £30 being promised, and this, with donations of expenses by those engaged in the Haugh inquest and other amounts makes a total up to tho present of over £50. At the public meeting patriotic songs were sung by Messrs C. M. Whelan and C. Brannigan, and recitations given by Messrs Bernard, Colquhoun, and Sheen? Collectors were appointed for the various parts of the difiricl, and two ladies (Mrs M. S. Bellamy, member of the Borough Council, and Miss Simmonds) are amongst the active workers. The mayor presided, and the secretary and treasurer work is in the able hands of Mr W. Sinclair (town clerk). Within a week (writes our correspondent) the amount collected should be something very substantial, as I hear farmers are opening their mouths to the tune of five-pound notes. At the meeting a resolution was passed recommending the Government to put the colony in a thorough state of. defence, and this opinion seemed to be generally held. Kelso and Heriot are working hard, and tho whole district should send forward a handsome contribution to the general fund. I hear an attempt is being made to get Mr Scobie Mackenzie to attend the concert and demonstration to be held at Kelso on Friday evening.