THE REFUGEES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIV, Issue 1444, 7 August 1860, Page 2

THE REFUGEES.

The article above written will conwnce the most sceptical that Wellington is no place for the Taranaki refugees to find an asylum. Much as we have felt that Nelson was doing more than her share in the noble work of providing homes for ". the houseless, wo have never been able to offer the slightest hope of assisting to bear , the burden. The Southern Provinces are the only ones who could help, and it gives us much pleasure to learn that Canterbury has at last awoke to the duty devolving upon her. A very happy spirit has been evinced by the recent meeting there. As the Government is poor, not able to pay its salaries, the settlers have come forward and not only has a subscription been commenced which bids fair to amount to a thousand .pounds, but the Secretary, Mr. Brittain, has been instructed to offer a welcome to the families whom the recent regulation, releasing all persons of 50 years old and others having a family of five or six children from service in the militia, will be set at liberty. That offerj — marlo in reply to a communication from the' Superintendent of Taranaki to the Superintendents of the South, requesting to be informed what assi stance could be rendered in removing them from the Beat of Avar — went up by the Lord Worsley, and will no doubt be gladly taken advantage of.

The Ladies of Lyttelfeon have been having a series of " sewing bees," under the guiding spirit of one well known for her energy in every good work. Many of them have been meeting day- after day in the rooms of the Colonists' Society for the purpose of waking warm under clothing for tho Taranaki Militia and Volunteers, and a very acceptable supply of such articles has been forwarded by the Lord Worsley. We shall not begrudge the delay, occassioned by the Airedale making an intermediate

w»i*» <■*'* ""■■■"-^-"—"■".■■■" '■ ■■■...''■... »!.■■>. i... trip between Nelson and Taranaki before coming on here, so that the settlers who are under arms this stormy weather may receive the supply of clothing, which, to the disgrace of the General Government, they have so long needed. We know not what response has been made here to the appeal we published a week since ; but we are sure the Wellington ladies will feel proud to follow the example so admirably set them, if one of their number will only display a little of the tact and energy which Mrs. Donald has done at Lyttlton.