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gentleman has been duly appointed the medium of acquainting your Honor from time to time of the wishes of the subscribers to the Fund in aid of Taranaki sufferers.

I have the honor to be

Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
Charles Bowen,
Deputy Superintendent,
Canterbury.

To His Honor the Superintendent,
Taranaki.

RESOLUTIONS TO BE PROPOSED AT THE MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE TOWN HALL, ON WEDNESDAY, THE 25TH INSTANT, IN AID OF THE SUFFERERS AT TARANAKI.

1. That this Meeting having learned by the latest intelligence from Taranaki that war between the European and Maori populations still continues, and that there is no definite period at which it is reasonable to look for a cessation of hostilities, desires to express its deepest sympathy with the European settlers there, for the suffering and loss to which they have been exposed.

2. That this meeting having had laid before them a communication addressed by the Superintendent of Taranaki to the Superintendent of Canterbury, asking if it be in the power of the province to assist the immigration to Canterbury of a portion of the Taranaki settlers, resolves that a subscription be immediately set on foot throughout the province, for the purpose suggested in that communication, or for any other purpose which may tend to the relief of the Taranaki settlers.

3. That for the purpose of collecting subscriptions, a committee be formed, the same to consist of with power to add to their number.

Christchurch, 1st August, 1860.

Sir,—I have the honor to acquaint you that a public meeting was held at Christchurch, on Wednesday, the 25th ultimo, for the purpose of considering the best means of rendering assistance to those persons in your province who require to be helped by reason of the Maori war.

That meeting was called in consequence of a communication made by your Honor to the Superintendent of Canterbury bearing date the 7th ultimo. In reply to that communication I have been given to understand that your Honor will be officially informed by this mail, that neither the Immigration Ordinance, the Waste Land Regulations, nor the state of the Provincial Treasury enable the Provincial Government to answer your Honor’s despatch as they would wish to have been able to do.

I have, however, the pleasure of stating that the result of the public meeting was the subscription of a sum of money and such a prospect of future funds as to enable me, by direction of the committee appointed by the meeting, to inform you that they are prepared to defray the charges of the conveyance, to this province, of those persons and families referred to in your Honor’s despatch, or even others should any cases of such exigency exist as may appear to your Honor to call for like aid.

You will therefore take what steps you may deem necessary to carry into effect the suggestions contained in your despatch, and the committee will defray the expenses consequent thereon.

For carrying out this object the committee have been in communication with the agents of the Inter C.S.T. Company here who have given them every encouragement to believe that the Company will act with liberality in this matter and considerably reduce the amount of passage money. The agents, however, do not consider themselves authorised to enter into a positive agreement, and have expressed the opinion that the most favorable terms may be effected by communication with the head office, to which therefore I have written.

As the cost per head is thus an open question, I am further directed to ask your Honor’s co-operation (if it be in your power to assist) in endeavouring to secure from the Company terms as favorable as possible — those terms, of course, will include the entire provisioning of the parties from the period of their departure from Taranaki to that of their arrival in this province.

I need hardly observe that in pressing this on your notice is, that they may be able to husband their funds as much as possible so that it may be in their power to furnish further assistance to those whom your Honor may send after their arrival here.

It remains only for me to request that should this offer of the committee be acted on, you will be so good as to forward me the names of those whom you may send away together with such information of their former position in your province as may guide the committee in the ministration of what further assistance it may be in their power to render them.

I have the honor to be

Sir,
Your very obedient servant,
Joseph Brittan,
Hon. Sec. to the Committee.

His Honor the Superintendent of Taranaki.

Superintendent’s Office,
Dunedin, 30th July, 1860.

Sir,—With reference to your despatch of date 7th July, 1860, respecting assisted passengers from Taranaki to this province, I have the honor to state that we shall be glad to afford the same facilities to deserving