THE HAWKE'S BAY FLOODS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5851, 23 April 1897, Page 4

THE HAWKE'S BAY FLOODS.

«. :_ [Per Press Association.] NAPIER, April 22. Gisborne has sent the first donation of £125. Mr Coleman aud family give .£2OO, Mr Speight (Dunediu) .£SO, the Union Steamship Company .£IOO, and offer to ;arry produce for sufferers free, Messrs '.lobjohns, Hindmarsh and* Co. .£SO, Mr H. \ Smith .£SO, aud there are many subscriptions from .£lO to .£25. In reply to a deputation tliis morning 1 he Hon W. Hall-Jones said that he was .nly voicing the opinions of his colleagues, md, indeed, of the whole colony, in expressing the deepest sympathy with the leople of Hawke's Bay in the great alamity they had experienced. He had iever before heard of or seen anything o terribly distressing as he had heard and een during the last few days. He felt iroftmndly for the widows and orphans of he brave men who had perished. He ould conceive of no nobler act than hat of a man risking his life in n endeavour to save the lives if others. The Government woiild do ill they possibly could to alleviate the listress. He could see that the community sad serious difficulties before them, because iot only had they the widows and orphans •f the drowned men to consider, but also he position of many others who would be endered destitute. It would take a little ime to organise matters, but he was glad o find that the inhabitants of the district vere taking prompt and effective measures. <v behalf of his colleagues, he was confilent that he could promise, every possible issistance from the Government. Ho also promised to see that a railway manager vas again appointed for the Napier section, md to facilitate legislation to enable a entral River Board to be created to deal •vifch all the rivers of the plains. At a public meeting held to-day, the Mayor said that the latest estimate of the ,oss was at least ,£150,000. The amount subscribed to date is over .£IOOO. A proposal :•<> divert .£250 in hand, a portion of the ■mount subscribed for the Indian Famine IJelief Fund, was unanimously negatived. DUNEDIN, April 22. The directors of the Union Steamship Company to-day voted .£IOO towards the Sawke's Bay flood relief fund, and authorised the free carriage up to 100 tons of any food contributions that may be sent. A. telegram of sympathy was sent to the Mayor of Napier. A public meeting, convened by the Mayor, was held at the Borough Council Chambers, Timaru, yesterday afternoon, the Mayor presiding. The committee which canvassed the borough and suburbs for the Brunner Relief Fund was reappointed, with some alterations, made necessary by removals. Mr E. H. Lough, town clerk, was appointed honorary secretary and treasurer, and was requested to communicate with other local bodies in South Canterbury, and also with the friendly societies. It was agreed to transmit subscriptions as sums of <£25, accrued, the lists to be returned within' one month from date. Mr Johnston, head-master of the main school, undertook to make an appeal to the school children. A resolution was unanimously passed on the motion of Mr D. Stuart — " That this meeting warmly recognises the bravery of all those men who lost their lives when engaged in the humane and dangerous work of attempting to place their endangered fellow-settlers in safety during the great flood in the Hawke's Bay district; and further that this meeting desires to express its condolence and sympathy for the bereaved widows, orphans and relatives, and that this message be conveyed to them through the Mayor of Napier."