PEOPLE TURNING GREY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 31, 6 February 1931, Page 10

PEOPLE TURNING GREY

DEEDS AND SECURITIES LOST

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIEB, sth February. After a night (on Wednesday) of wind and rain and scores of shakes, three being heavy, the weather was again fine yesterday. Women and children by hundreds were being evacuated, and many people would receive unexpected guests. It is considered advisable for health reasons to clear the town. The military, naval, and police forces are co-operat-ing, but organisation is not apparent to any degree. The search for bodies continues throughout the city, and it is feared that the death roll may yet be increased beyond earlier estimates. Tho whole of the road, over a mile long, from Coote road to Battery road, is under debris, in some cases 30 yards deep, and this area reaches to the sea. Tho number of people under this canhot bo guessed, and no attempt will' be mado to clear the road for some time. No further deaths are reported, but several people have not reported. "SEEMS LIKE WEEKS." At the time of writing it is just 48 hours since the shock, but it seems, like weeks. A major who went through Messines says that that shambles had nothing on Napier. Many men and women are turning grey, and all are in a state of anguish, many fearing that they have only been spared for a worse fate in the form of disease. Hence the evacuation. With the destruction of all Government offices, all lawyers' offices, and the banks, nothing but chaos stares the residents in tho face. Owing to the lack of warning, strong-room doors were left open, and all deeds and securities have gone up in smoke. One office alone lost securities three and a half millions of money. The first shock was so sudden that everyono made for the open, and when a return was made the open doors could not be closed and the fire followed jo closely on the stunned people that all was lost, for those who were able to act naturally turned their attention to helping the injured. . . p. Sanitary arrangements have not yet been enforced, but work ia in progress. It is hindered to a degree by, visitors, and all people who intend making a sight-seeing tour are requested to remain away. In fact, thero is talk of military intervention on all roads which aro open. It is reported here that To Bangakuma, a range 3000 ft high half-way between Napier and has been flattened out, but confirmation is lacking.