The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1929. THE VISITATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1929. THE VISITATION.

With the quiet ioiiowmg the extended period ol the earthquake, and the fuller particulars of the damage in the ' northern area of this island, those studying the reports will have realised the extent of the damage wrought, 'i he experience at this end of the district affected is trilling compared with that in the Bullcr-Murchison terriloiv, where the extent and intensity of uie damage means an enormous loss both publicly and privately. In the settlement areas of Karamea and Murchison the effect appeal's to have been i ruination to those with property, while in Westport the people both in business and living privately, have also . suffered very great loss. In the settle- ( ments the destruction of the farms and the menace of further damage from the | dammed tin r.vers, are most serious. | Luckily the plight of the people was ' realised very promptly hv the Govern--1 .meat, and authority was given to rentier all succour necessary to save lile. Notwithstanding there has been a considerable toll ol life and some of the deaths were particu'/irly heartrending. Monev cannot replace the loss of life,hut it- is satisfactory at least that t’lie Government is bent on doing what

it can to afford relief. The setting up of ..advisory Committees is a good move, and wo may be sure Parliament tins week will approve the expenditure of all tiiat money can do to noip the people to retrieve the devastated posifoii. The presence of .Members of Parliament on the scene, including a Minister of the Crown and the Leader ol the Opposition, will ensure the eom.p'io.o details ol the Situation be.ng piacud beio.e Bai Lament. Mr Holland at Westport, and Mr Black of the .Motuoka electorate can substantiate, as personal witnesses, the run siu.y or tne ordeal Hie people passed through, ami Parliament will thus have the tidiest evidence and is sure to support the Government in doing its pnuii duty in the maltei. While sympathising with those who lin.e suuered so disastrously, every croud must be given to all lor the courageous manner m which the Situation lias been faced and efforts made to re.neve the position as quickly as possiole. It is not •difficult to realise their plight, following the story of the visitation, yet oil ail sides there has been a display ot courage- and resource in meeting tlie situation wnicli is most eommenuaide. The promptness with which relief was sent in and blocked roads opened up, shows that there was no shirking of duty. There has been a inaniul effort to do all that was humanely possiole, and that must be a consolation and an encouragement to those who have suffered grievous loss. Ihe Government is wise also in considering the future, and Mr Atmore’s suggestion to prepare model specifications for buildings in earthquake areas is a wise one. New Zealand is liable to earthquake visitations, as are other countries, and the experince of late suggests the wisdom in Mr Atmore’s proposal. San Fancisco was destroyed by an envthquako in 1906, but since lias been rebuilt. The Califorian territory like New Zealand is subject to earthquakes, but the lesson of 1906 was taken to heart and the Americans built wisely and well since that visitation. An American was quoted recently as saying that there are worse regions than earthquake areas, and he added the United States had moremortality from tornadoes and cyclones than from quakes. But nowadays the people build more strongly and the structures are able to withstand serious shakes. Doubtless, too, New Zealand will take up the subject of seismology more precisely now. It has been a remarkable omission in the past not to have even the latest instruments for recording movements. This requires to be made good and more intimate knowledge acquired locally of the internal conditions of the Islands. The visitation is certainly a reminder of I'irglei-led precautions, and these at least are sure to he remedied. Foi the rest there is the obligation to succour, those in the north ruined by the visitation, and the whole community ran join hands in the effort to make good to some extent .the great loss so many settlers and others have suffered.