Christchurch, Aug. 1, 1860.

Sir,—I have the honor to acquaint you that a Public Meeting was held at Christchurch on Wednesday, the 25th ult., 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 ult. In reply to that communication I have been given to understand that your Honor will be officially informed by this mail that Immigration Ordinances, 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 having been in communication with the Agents of the I.C.S.S. 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 the parties from the period of their departure from Taranaki to that of their arrival in this Province.

I need hardly observe that the object the Committee have in view in pressing this on your notice is that they may be able to husband their funds as much as

the present moment admit of the Government making a money grant in aid of so desirable an object as that alluded to in your letter; at the same time I am most happy to inform you that a Public Meeting, called by myself, has been held, and an appeal to public sympathy in aid of Taranaki refugees readily responded to.

I beg to enclose a copy of the resolutions, and to inform you that Mr Joseph Brittan has been authorised and appointed to act as hon. secretary with a view of carrying out the wishes of the public of Canterbury.

I need hardly add that the Government of Canterbury will welcome and assist to the utmost of its ability all and any who may avail themselves of the privilege granted by his Excellency the Governor.

I would, in order to give Mr Joseph Brittan’s communication to your Honor proper authority, again repeat that that 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, &c.,

(Signed) CHARLES BOWEN,
Deputy-Superintendent,
Canterbury.

His Honor
The Superintendent,
Taranaki.

RESOLUTIONS

Proposed at a Meeting 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 the 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, desire 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