THE INDIAN FAMINE FUND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5804, 23 February 1897, Page 1

THE INDIAN FAMINE FUND.

Only half a dozen persons attended the adjourned meeting called by the Mayor of Christchurch for 4.30 pin. yesterday, at the City Council Chambers, to devise means for raising subscriptions in aid of the Indian Famine Eelief Fund. After waiting till nearly five o'clock, his Worship said that he was sorry to see that the public took so little interest in the movement, but it was obvious that ie woiild be useless to attempt to do anything with so small an attendance. He heartily thanked those who had attended, and he had also to expresß his thanks for offers of assistance from the Elite Band, from a gentleman who had been in India and had volunteered to give a lecture in aid of the fund, to Messrs Seager and Salter, who had offered to give a limelight-lecture entertainment, and to Mr Wilhner who had offered to assist in getting up a cricket match of twenty-two ladies against eleven veterans. Mr Willmer had handed in .£9 l6s, received from the sale of his poem on the famine. Altogether there was a sum about ,£4O in hand. As this was the third attempt to hold a meeting, he thought that the only thing that could be done was to adjourn sine die. At the same time he would have great pleasure in doing all he could to help the movement should he be approached again on the subject, and he would continue to receive subscriptions as heretofore. Mr E. C. Bishop, Mayor of New Brighton, said that he was very sorry to see that the public apparently did not realise the awful nature of the Indian famine, for were they to do so, he felt sure they would do something to attempt to relieve the sufferers. It was true that there was not so much money about as there had been when they made an effort on the occasion of a former famine, but there was sufficient money and generosity in the place to war-' rant something being done. He thought that the Mayor of Christchurch had done all that he could, and he agreed that the only course was to adjourn the meeting sine die. He mentioned that New Brighton, following the example of some other places, was about to get up an entertainment in aid of the fund. Mr A. Marshall (Mayor of Linwood) concurred with the remarks of Mr Bishop, and expressed regret that the citizens had not supported the Mayor in the action he had taken. The party then separated. In reference to the proposed cricket match, Ladies v. Veterans, Mr Willmer wrote as follows : — " If twenty-two ladies, first-class lawn tennis players, can be induced to play a game of cricket against an eleven of the oldest members of the Veteran Cricket Club— the third eleven, from sixty to eighty-one years of age — I believe it would prove a great attraction. Charge for admission to Lancaster Park, and extra for the pavilions. Pitch wickets at 1.30 p.m. and provide tea at 3.30 p.m. I will provide materials, and special light bats for the ladies, and will give them practice for a few days previously." Mr Willmer wishes it known that, despite the failure of yesterday's meeting, he is still willing to carry out the matel), if the assistance required is forthcoming.