THE EARTHQUAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1929, Page 6

THE EARTHQUAKE

’QUAKE CENTRE. WHAT MARINERS SAW. (By Telegraph—Press Association). i WESTPORT, July 11. Captain Wahlstrom, of the s.s. Orepuki, is firmly of the opinion that the big quakes had their origin out at sea, to the westward "of New Zealand. He bases his opinion on his observations as the s.s. Orepuki was plugging her way down the Coast. Although the weather was heavy, and southwesterly weather prevailed, there was as far as the eye could see to the westward, heavily discoloured water. This discolouration could not have been brought about by the discharge from the rivers on the West Coast. Further, a later report stated that a steamer on Tasman Sea had passed through vast quantities of dead fish.

WESTPORT SHOCKS. RAILWAY REPAIRS REQUIRED. WESTPORT, July 11. A number of quakes were felt today at irregular intervals, the biggest being at 12.30 p.m. The steamer Arahura is leaving tonight ifor Ne’son and Wellington, with a lengthy list of passengers. The coal'trade is slowly moving back to normal. - The railway, line lias suffered, badly, both from the flood and the earthquake, the flood. waters running through ‘ tile Mokihinui railway tunnel several feet high, carrying away ballasting, and leaving the line in a deplorable state. On certain sections of the line the speed was limited to six miles per hour, on others to 15 miles, and over the remainder to 25 miles, with limited loads and light engines.

OYER 330 SHOCKS. RECORDED AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, July 11. A study,of the seismograph recorils which are being made daily •at the Dominion Observatory, reveals a.number of interesting features about the big -.earthquake, and the numerous after-shocks, These latter, up till yesterday morning, numbered 331. Nearer to Murchison and the disturbed areas, the number would bef, larger. In almost every case the first impulse recorded on the seismograph has been a pull towards the disturbed areas.

CHRISTCHURCH DAMAGE. CHRISTCHURCH, July 11. Cracks have been discovered in concrete suction tanks at the city’s three main , water supply pumping stations. The cracks were caused by the earthquake. • . • , ■ The cracks' are not serious, but the wastage of water is sufficient to he notice ibJe. The '••anacity of the three tanks is 75,300 gallons, 380,000 gallons and 806,000 gallons. The cost of repairs will not- be heavy.

CORBYVALE EVACUATION BEGUN ‘WELLINGTON, July 11. A. bridle track lias now been cut into the Corbvvale settlement, according to a telegram which Mr G. C. Black, M.P., has received from Mr G. Munson, stating that the evacuation if Corbyvale commences to-day, after twenty-four days of isolation. “ The settlers are going to various parts of Neuj Zealand,” concludes the message.

. £3,000 GRANT. FOR BULLER HOSPITALS. WELLINGTON, July 11. The Minister of Health to-day advised Mr H. E. Holland, in reply to Tuesday’s Westport deputation, that the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, had. issued authority to the Buller Hospital Board to proceed with the reconstruction of three hospitals under its jurisdiction, at a cost not exceeding £3,000.

STATE ASSISTANCE. WELLINGTON, July 11. In the House, Sir Joseph Ward, referring to the earthquake lund, said £34,000 was 'in hand. The surplus money is hand would be invested at call with tl/9Public Trustee, who would allow 51 per cent interest. The Central Committee bad decided to deal with the question of further committees.acting with the central one. As regards reconstruction, local comniittoos at Karamea, Murchison, and perhaps Corbyvale could co-operate. It was deemed advisable Jdiat all local funds shorn! be paid into the Central Fund, from which local requirements could be immedinely met. The whole fund would be. enabled to earn interest while invested at call, and the centralisation would permit of a full statement being presented to the public. Proposals for assistance towards full restoration of devastated areas were considered, and the Committee concurred with the suggested procedure whereby applications would.bo invited from persons is need of assistance. To gain an idea of the funds required it would be necessary to sot a. time limit to the receipt of app'ications. 'Several applications had been received for assistance to repair damage to business premises, and the Committee

expressed the opinion that matters such as these should be dealt with through local committees, whose recommendations should be submitted to the Central Committee. The rendering of assistance by further advances to mortgagors of State Advances Office was also discussed, and Sir J. Ward gave the assurance that preferential consideration would be given to application of this nature by the State Advances Office. Murchison was discussed at some length, and it was resolved that the Nelson Committee operate on similar lines to the Westport Committee, providing at least one fire in each house and partially restoring the comfort of the residents. The question of full restoration could be dealt with by calling for applications for assistance, and in the meantime partial restoration would enable the people to return. Up to £2OOO was authorised meantime for this purpose. The district committees were giving every attention to the care of refugees and to partial restoration of houses. Until the extent of assistance required for full restoration was known, the efforts of the .committees were being confined to preserving the comfort and health of residents and refugees.