EARTHQUAKE FUND

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 73, 23 September 1930, Page 15

EARTHQUAKE FUND

COMMITTEE DISBANDS

FINAL PAYMENTS

The committee appointed to administer tho funds raised to relieve the distress caused by the disastrous earthquake on 17th BJune of last1 year held its final meeting yesterday, and before disbanding members were thanked • for their services by the chairman and Act-ing-Prime Minister, the Hon. E. A. Ransom." A comprehensive statement setting out the position of tho fund "Will bo, issued shortly. / _

| In addition to the Acting-Prime Minister, yesterday's meeting of the Central Earthquake Committee was attended by the Minister of Education, and M.P. for Nelson, the Hon. H. Atniorc; the Loader of tho Opposition, tho Right Hon. J. G. Coatos; the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. G-. A; Troup; tho Public Trustee, Mr. \V. Maedonald; the En-giueor-in-Chief and Under Secretary of tho Public Works Department, Mr. I' 1. W. Furkert; tho Controller and Auditor-General, Colonel G. P. C. Campbell; and Mr. R.. E. Hayes, who represented the Secretary to the Treasury.

The committee received a report from a sub-committee consisting of Colonel Campbell and Mr. Macdonald ou the question of annuities to widows and dependents of persons,, killed. Tho committee's recommendations were generally adopted, with the proviso that the members of the feub-committco be empowered to review each case before the purchase of annuities is proceeded with. The conimittee 'directed also that as far as possible tho annuities be purchased under the Inalienable Annuities Act, 1910.

A suggestion was made that compassionate grants, be given to those who liad suffered bereavement through the earthquake, notwithstanding that grants had. already, been made to these people for loss of Tho committee regretted that it was unable to make any such provision. It was decided that a statement of the position of the fund should be published, and this was left in. the chairman's hands. It was explained that payments of grants had not yet been completed by district committees, hence it had not been possible to prepare a final statement for publication.

At the conclusion of the meeting the chairman expressed his pleasure at being associated with the committee, which had administered the central earthquake fund in such a satisfactory manner, thereby relieving to a large extent, tho distress caused by the disaster.