A GRADUAL PROCESS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 32, 7 February 1931, Page 14

A GRADUAL PROCESS

LIFE IN STRICKEN AREA _ ■ i

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) NAPIER, 6th February. A few slight shocks were felt this afternoon, but the tremors are slackening. The parks are now more than half evacuated, women, children, and unfit men being sent away. Pit men are being refused permission to depart. The rjolice are calling for workers to assist in clearing the debris and also patrols for night duty. There is do intention of introducing martial law. The police say, on the contrary, that such a step is neither necessary nor advisable, as all are behaving splendidly. Reports of shootings are officially contradicted. f A statement that two women have been rescued alive is also denied. An old man of 66 years is reported to have been released from the Old People's Home to-day still alive; although the information comes from a reliable source, confirmation is lacking. The wonderful'work,done by volunteer workers will probably result in tlic prevention of an outbreak of the dreaded typhoid fever, as at present the town is clean. Indications point to the fight being successfully concluded. , . The work of dismantling dangerous buildings is proceeding with precision, and the debris is ;being carted away.! As an indication of ( the organisation, it can be stated that' all houses on the flats have been provided with iron for roof repairs, which are proceeding. Tin work of reorganising the National Tobacco Company's building start-ed/to-day, 150 men being employed. The "Daily Telegraph" is to erect temporary premises as soon as possible. That paper has issued a small sheet daily since Wednesday, two editions being printed torday. Another fairly strong shake occurred at 7.50 this evening. * . Trains-have recommenced running. An express train leaves in the morning for Wellington, but the passengers will be mostly refugees, who have been granted free transport. ' Whilst icvery house has been more or less seriously damaged, niosfr of them are habitable, but the nerves of the people are so affected that there is no wish to reoccupy the homes at ; present. In most cases the people arc still sleeping out. ■ Water is now more plentiful! , The Postal officials have overcome the* mail difficulties, but there are no1 letter deliveries, as so many people are away from home. The Telegraph Department is now operating almost up to normal. A Money Order Office has been opened, but withdrawals constitute the only business being done. Electric light is available at the Post Office and in the parks and roadsj creating a greater feeling of security.