ANXIETY ABOUT FRIENDS. THE PREMIER TAKING STEPS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2719, 25 April 1906, Page 33

ANXIETY ABOUT FRIENDS. THE PREMIER TAKING STEPS.

Afc- the "request of a number of residents of Otago who 'have friepds and relatives in San . Fra.neiseo and other parts of California, th© edi*or of the Otago Daily Times placed himself in, communication with the Right Hon. the Premier, and has ' -received . the follovring reply from Mr Seddon as to the steps he has taken to obtain information : — " The calamity in the State of California has cast quite a gloom over the colony. I •havo already communicated with General Funston, the Governor of the Jitate, the Mayor, the ex-Mayor, Mr Craig, Mr Stephenson Smith (our agemt), and also ■with our two mail agents. No reply has as yet been received from any one of them. As soon a.si possible I will make inquiries, and see that every facility is afforded for Sielp to reach the sufferers. I have, on Ibehalf of the people of this colony, through "the Secretary of State, informed President Roosevelt that New Zealand desires to tender practical sympathy to the extent of 25,000d01. I further propose to communicate with the State Governor and the Mayor of San Francisco that the New Zealand Government, pending friends being communicated with, desires the necessities of New Z«ala.nders attended to, and that •the names of those who are safe be sent +o me. The cost therefor will be defrayed by our colony. You may rest assured all possible will be done for New Zealanders." Those who have relatives in San Francisco about whose safety they are concerned should communicate with fche Premier.