LANCASHIRE RELIEF FUND.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1798, 29 November 1862, Page 2

LANCASHIRE RELIEF FUND.

Last night a public meeting took place in tbe Odd Fellows' Hall, pursuant to advertisement, for the purpose of expressing practical sympatbj with the distress in Lancashire. The meeting was at first but thinly attended, though afterwards it presented an average attendance. The Superintendent, as Chairman, opened tbe proceedings by regretting the delay that bad taken place owing to the absence of himself and others from Wellington, but felt sure that though lafet in imitating a subscription, this province 1 would not be tbe least energetic in its response. Mr. Justice Johnston very eloquently moved the first resolution, urging that it was not so much the largeness of the amount that was to be looked at, as the number of contributors — that iv the latter way we should ihow that we were not acting as benefactors but as brother men. The resolution was follows, — That this meeting, being assured of the anxiety of all classes of the community within this Province to manifest a hearty sympathy wilh their fellow subjects in Lancashire, who are now enduring acute suffering with fortitude and patience, is of opinion, that steps should be immediately taken for enabling the inhabitants to join in offering to the Relief Fund, which even if insignificant in amount, may nevertheless be acceptable as an indication of the common feeling of regret,- goodwill, and respect for the sufferers, entertained by their fellow countrymen, in the most remote portion of the British Empire, - The Bishop of Wellington seconded the above in a sound speech, after which the resolution was unanimously carried. The Rev. J. Aldred, moved the second resolution which was seconded by Mr. Woodward, and carried unanimously. That tbe fallowing be appointed a Committee to carry out the objects of the foregoing resolution, viz : — The Bishop of Wellington, Bishop Viardi His Honor the Judge, Mr St. Hill, R.M,, Keys. Messrs. Thatcher, Stock, Aldred, Moir, Scott, Smith, O'Reilly, and Messrs G. Allen, Stokes, J. Carter, C, R. Carter, Lyon, Holdsworth, J. F. E. Wright, L, Levy, Moss, G. Hart, Burne, Spinks, G. Moore, Smith, Rhodes, with power to add to their number, and to nominate local committees for the Country Districts. Mr Q. Hunter, General Treasurer. • ' ' Mr. Woodward having been appointed Secretary, the Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Foley, offering to give a dramatic entertainment, which oi» the motion of Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Hunter, was cordially and thankfully accepted. The Rev. J. Moir wished to express his dissent from being supposed to give his sanction as one of the Committee to an entertainment, relative to which he had conscientious scruples. After muchjdiscjissjon/Mr. Moir withdrew an amendment he had proposed, on the understandingthathe hadcleared himself from any charge of inconsistency as a minister of the Gospel. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings'. Want of space alone obliges us to defer our report until our next ; meantime we think it only right to say, that with every regatd to the conscientious scruples of individual members of the Committee, we think tbe acceptance of tbe entertainment offered by Mrs. Foley, entirely relieves them as individuals, and was a wise measure. Without a single exception, all concurred in the humanity which. prompted the offer, and felt that it was an example for us all ' to copy — iuasrauch as it was an example for everyone to do what he could in bis own particular sphere.