THE EARTHQUAKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2392, 6 January 1909, Page 4

THE EARTHQUAKE.

DARING RESCUES FROM THE FLAMES.

TREACHEROUS SOLDIERS

United. Pr'ess Association. Copyright

ROME, Jan. 4

Mr. Doresa describes daring rescues amid the earthquake and flames by the AJfo'mven’s second mate, Reid, and an able seaman, Smith. The sAlton wen’s captain, whilst distributing food ashore, entrusted Doresa with the boat, the only means of retreat. Soon five soldiers attempted to seize the boat in order to escape to the mainland. Doresa, producing a revolver,. put them to flight. Other rescuers bad similar experiences at the outset of the panic.

FURTHER VIOLENT SHOCKS. INTENSE PANIC PREVAILING. MANY PERSONS FAMISHING. ROME, Jan. 4. Signor Santoliquido, Director-Gen-eral of Hygiene in Italy, thinks there

is little fear of epidemics. Enormous quantities of disinfectants are being forwarded, including hundreds of tons of quick lime and chloride of lime.

A violent shock of earthquake was experienced at Stromboli early today, lasting three seconds. It was accompanied by an eruption of the volcano and terrifying subterranean, rumbling. Much damage resulted. A severe shock was felt at Oaltagirone, Sicily, where there are 30,000 inhabitants. Several were killed. ' The shocks continue. At Messina and Melito intense panic prevaiLs. All the municipal doctors of Italy and all the young doctors of Rome have for service iu the earthquake relief. The noblest competition is shown everywhere. No assistance has yet reached the interior of CMabria and Sicily, though 24 towns have been destroyed. The relief is almost concentrated at Messina and Reggio, where many injured have been accommodated in prisons. The famished people eat the raw flesh of donkeys and horses which the troops distribute.

RESCUE OF SURVIVORS

BRITISH GOVERNMENT MILL MAKE A GRANT. (Received Jan. 6, 1.0 a.m.) ROME, Jan. 5. Some persons were rescued alive from the ruins at Reggio yesterday. • LONDON, Jan. o. The Mansion House fund has reached £40,000. It is understood that the Government will make a direct grant.

AMERICAN ASSISTANCE, SOME OF SPERRY'S SHIPS GOING TO NAPLES. (Received Jan. 6. 1 a.m.) NEW YORK, Jan. og. President Roosevelt’s special message to Congress declared that the proposed relief was prompted by the obligations of humanity, and by the fact that the many good American citizens were formerly Italian immigrants, and also by gratitude for the abundance wherewith God had blessed the Americans in safety. Besides the half-million dollars both Houses voted 300,000 dollars, representing the steamers Celtieo and Culgoa’s supplies.

LONDON, Jan. 5. Reuter’s Washington correspondent states that the first division of Admiral Sperry’s fleet lias been ordered to Naples to assist in the relief. No other Italian ports will be- visited. The American Red Cross Society lias telegraphed 390,000 dollars to the - ■ American committee at Rome, and chartered a steamer with supplies and to fetch survivors.

ASSISTANCE FROM AUSTRALIA

ADELAIDE. Jan. o

The first £IOOO has been cabled to the Lord Mayor of London for tho Italian earthquake fund.

HELP FROM NEW PLYMOUTH

NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. o. The Mayor has opened a fund for the Italian earthquake sufferers.'

ENTERTAINMENT TO BE HELD IN DUNEDIN.

DUNEDIN, Jan. 5. ** At <a; meeting held this afternoon, presided over by tho Mayor, it was decided to hold an entertainment on the 12tli inst. in aid of the relief fund for the sufferers by the earthquake.

NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT’S ACTION. £SOOO SENT TO ITALY. WELLINGTON, Jan. o. The Government has sent £SOOO to Italy ns a contribution to the fund for the relief of the sufferers by tho recent earthquakos. In an interview with a “Now Zealand Times’’ reporter, the Prime Minister said that any funds collected* by private effort will, on application being made to the Government, remitted free to the authorities Italy. £ ' " - ” t -