PRELIMINARY STEPS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20050, 23 September 1939, Page 4

PRELIMINARY STEPS

ORGANISING WAIROA EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS OFFICIALS APPOINTED (Spocial to the Ilorald.) WAIROA, this day. Practically every interest in the county was represented at a meeting Held, in Wuiroa on Thursday evening when preliminary steps to organise every phase of activity in the town for the purpose of dealing with any emergency that might arise during wartime were taken In explaining the reason for the calling of the meeting, the Mayor, Mr. H. L. liarker, stated that an emergency precautions committee to deal with disasters such as earthquakes and floods had been formed by the local bodies some time ago and considerable work had been accomplished, but since that committee had been formed the need had assumed far greater proportions. The chairman of the committee, Mr. .1. Corkill, outlined what had been done and explained the reasons for the formation of the original committee. However, since then the position had changed somewhat. The world was at present in turmoil and it was very diflicuLt to say where the next outbreak would be. Therefore, it was up to all to stand shoulder to shoulder and do their best to assist. The original'committee, lie added, would cease to exist. Mr. liarker said that the whole idea was to have an organisation ready to act in every department immediately the call came. He suggested that the main controllers and deputies be appointed at this meeting and that they should appoint their own committees to take charge of each department. He detailed the various headings under which the committees would function.

The Mayor added that apart from the appointment of the officials, it was desired that if anyone had any views to express they should do so. These suggestions would be in the form of recommendations for the various committees to deal with. He also stressed the need for getting the committees functioning as early «s possible.

Officials Appointed

The following controllers and deputies were, recommended to the meeting and approved, on the motion of Mr, J. R. Gillespie, seconded by Mr. P. J. Brewster:— Executive Committee.—Chairman of local bodies, postmaster and Public Works Department engineer. Supplies. —Messrs. 11. Crichton and R. Dryden.

Transport.—Messrs. M. Pilkington and D. H. Withers. Medical and Health. —Messrs. R. W. Pomare and R. A. Peez.

Works.—Public Works Department engineer and Mr. D. Glengarry. Finance and Records.—The Mayor and Mr. C. V. Chamberlain.

Law and Order. —Sergeant of police and Mr. G. de V. Robinson. Fire.—Superintendent of the Fire Brigade.

Accommodation and Evacuation.— Mr. A. G. Nolan, the Mayor, and the county chairman. Communication. —The postmaster. Harbour.—Mr. J. Corkill. National Register

Mr. Chamberlain suggested that there should be a national register which would assist materially in carrying out the work. Such a register, in his opinion, was essential and he moved that it be a recommendation to the executive that it consider approaching the powers that be with a request that a national register be established. The motion was seconded by Mr. Corkill and carried.