EMERGENCY PLANS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20091, 10 November 1939, Page 10

EMERGENCY PLANS

TE KARAKA DISTRICT

MEETING A DISASTER

POSITION INVESTIGATED

QUESTION OF SUPPLIES

Many aspects of relief work that would need to be put in hand without delay following a major disaster affecting the -Te Karaka district have been investigated bv the Te Karaka Emergency Committee and the reports received at a meeting on Tuesday evening show that the sub-committees have carried out their tasks in a thorough manner. The central reporting point for the medical and nursing committee would be the District High School, where first-aid equipment, mattresses, and blankets, would be collected in the event of a major disaster. The committee undertook to obtain a list of medical equipment already available in the district and the possibility of its speedy collection if required.

The fire and order committee submitted a list of names of those willing to assist and undertook to arrange the distribution of duties. Food and Blankets

The supply committee reported that allowing for each household to keep the average 24 hours’ supply of food on hand, stocks of the staple necessities in the district would be sufficient for only three days. It was pointed out that no large stocks of flour were held in any part of the Poverty Bay district and it was suggested that this matter should be more fully investigated, as well as a reserve of blankets. The secretary was instructed to arrange for the printing of food coupons and supply of armlets.

The report of the accommodation committee stated that 240 persons could be put up by the residents of the district under normal conditions, but that this number could be doubled by the use of shake-downs. Extra material required included 23 beds, 130 mattresses and 369 blankets. It was reported also that in addition to- the above, accommodation could be found for 100 Maoris in the native meeting houses. These numbers do not include those who could be sheltered in schools and public halls, as extra equipment would be required tor them. The information and patrol committees are working together and have made full provision for carrying out their duties. .. . : .

Transport Matters The report of’the transport committee set out a full list :Of vehicles available, showing their-location and telephone numbers. It required, all transport will assemble in loapa road with headquarters at Askew’s garage. The report also gave the location of all petrol pumps, with the average amount of petrol held in stock. The headquarters of the .supply committee will be at the Waikohu County Council’s chambers and- of information and patrols-at the Post Office. It was pointed out that in-the event of interruption in the electric power supply the bakehouse would not be available -so it was suggested that recourse should then be had if necessary to field ovens such as were used in France during the first* years of the last war. Mr. C. Mills stated that these could be built quickly and he undertook to draw out; a plan aild instructions which could be kept for reference.

It was decided to forward all. ti.e information collected to the emergency committee in Gisborne.