FLANS FOR CRISIS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20085, 3 November 1939, Page 6

FLANS FOR CRISIS

EMERGENCY ACTIVITY COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS KEEN INTEREST SHOWN COMMITTEES APPOINTED County residents mustered in fair numbers and with a display of keen interest at the Makaraka-Matawhero Hall last evening to discuss the formation of committees to act in time of crisis affecting the civil population of the district, and to co-operate with other emergency organisations in the district in the direction of relieving immediate distress likely to be caused by either natural disaster or enemy action in time of war.

The meeting was convened by the chairman of the Cook County Council, Mr. W. G. Sherratt, who presided and among those present was Mr. J T. Gordon, a member of the council.

The chairman's outline of what might be required, in the event of a serious earthquake, or alternatively as a result of enemy attention to this coast, was heard with close attention, and at the end of his speech it was decided unanimously to inaugurate an emergency scheme. Committees and Conveners The following were nominated to form a central committee to keep in touch with the Government and to co-ordinate Cook County activities with those of similar organisations in the Borough of Gisborne and the Wafkohu County:—Messrs. W. G. Sherratt, chairman, S. D. Briant, W. Jonasen. J. T. Gordon, E. M. Monekton, Roland Graham, J. J. Rogers, J. Jobson, H. R. Chrisp, J. Devery, and J. S. Dickinson.

Conveners were appointed to organise committees under various headings, as under:—Supplies committee, to control the distribution of food and clothing, Mr. W. Jonasen; transport committee, to record all available transport and to exercise control in time of emergency, Mr, J. Jobson; lire committee, Mr. J. S. Dickinson; medical and public health committee, Mr. S T. Gray; law and order committee, Constable J. Heaslip.

It was decided to form an organisation of women of the county to compile a register of all residents willing to give voluntary assistance in time of emergency, and of the extent to which they were prepared to help in accommodating refugees.and providing food and clothing. This committee was placed under the convenership of Mrs. W. Livingstone.

Conveners are to appoint their own committees, and to prepare reports to be submitted at a meeting to be held at a date not yet fixed. All present pledged their best efforts to the early completion of the preliminary details. The chairman warmly thanked the meeting for its interest in the scheme, which he stated had far exceeded his expectations.