EVACUATION

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 30, 5 February 1931, Page 15

EVACUATION

URGENT, NECESSITY APPEAL FOR CARS

A! message was received at railway headquarters to-day to the effect that evacuation from Napier . was urgent, and reqitesting that all available cars be .sent to Hastings. Upon receipt of the message the Railway Department immediately took steps to have all available rolling stock dispatched to Hastings. . . '

The Prime . Minister advises \that in order to facilitate the evacuation of people desiring to leave Napier or Hastings a central office has been established in Wellington with the Public Service Commissioner in charge, in order to co-ordinate offers of, billeting with the transport arrangements necessary. ; , Borough Councils are asked, to advise the Public Service Commissioner at Wellington as to the numbers of people they are able to billot, and organisations offering transport facilities are asked to act similarly. Offers of billeting and transport which have, already been received by the Prime Minister have been handed to the Public Service Commissioner. NO PANIC. In the course of a telegram to the Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. Q-. W. Forbes), the Minister of Health (the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) states, inter alia:— "In regard to medical aid, nurses, food, tents, and transport, accept what can be definitely handled from here. Best fully assured organisation has been fully made meet needs of people in these, respects. Big problem in, regard^ to sanitation is being tackled by hospital officers and Health and Public, Works Departments who are actually on' job. I can assure you there is no panic here. The position generally is well in.hand. Weather remains ideal!" Mr. Stallworthy states, also, that offers for balloting in other' parts will requiro to bo definite. Arrangements have been made for hospitals to supply the Health Dopartmont (Wellington) with the names of all patients admitted from the earthquake area, and to follow; these .with daily progress reports; The first list is expected to-morrow, wlien inquiries in Wellington should be made to telephone 44-828 (Health Department).