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Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1929, Page 4

Titr earthquake visitation is one of llioso event's which our readers will agree is "better to have missed. The forces of nature are titanic, and possibly tliis is not brought home with greater effect; than in a groat earthquake, which has been known to move great areas of,-,land and sea. The winds have their forces and the waves their sweeping effect in the matter of destruction, but in quite the briefest

interval of time an earthquake can work the greatest havoc of all. The experience of the Coast during the past few days has been most disturbing and unsettling. Here, hardly a household has escaped some damage or other. In several instances . the damage has been very considerable, and in the aggregate some hundreds of pounds will be involved in restoration and permanent repairs. , Extraordinary ms lias been the damage here, further north it has been greater still, and as the reports have indicated, involved serious loss of life. The Westpor t-G-lenhopo section apnea rs to have been nearest to the centre of the upheaval, and over that large area the experiences of all concerned have been terrifying. The loss and general damage done in a very few seconds will run into several hundred thousand pounds. The position and plight of those affected is deplorable. Whole communities are upset. At such a moment it would bo opportune to display a gesture of practical sympathy with those involved so seriously. It is manifest a considerable sum will be required for the relief of the many sufferers. Some will be heavy losers at a time when cmnlovment is not too rife and conditions of trade are not too prosperous. The occasion seems to suggest that a public meeting of citizens might well be convened to ( manifest sympathy and interest with those who liavc suffered most in this great visitation. Although most households here have to meet local expense for ■•onairs and ’ replacements, their loss is not as overwhelming as in numerous instances further north. Relief committees are being set up and succour from this end through those channels would be a very practical way of helping those in distress and encouraging them to face the immediate future a little mo'e cheerfully and with reviving confidence.