EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1930, Page 8

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT

,By Telegraph—Per I’ress Association.)

ROTOIIUA, February 12

The Rt. Mon. the Prme Minister, as chairman oi’ the Central Earthquake Committee, has made the following statement, briefly indicating in connection with the earthquake:—

At the last meeting o f the Central Earthquake Committee, grants totalling £51,432 8s Id for the repair of earthquake damage were authorised. The Committee had previously authorised grants amounting to £2,420 14s 8d so that total authorities at the date of last meeting of the committee were £53,853 2s 9d . An Executive Committee was appointed to deal with any other aplications that might be received and up to the present, this Executive has authorised grants amounting to £19,393 14s sd. Thus the total grant authorised by the Central Earthquake damage to property, as distinct from expenditure connected with refugees allowances to settlers on account of loss of access, and pensions for the widows and dependent of persons killed during the earthquake, amount to £73,246 17s 2d. Application for assistance are still being received from some of the District Commitetees, and are being dealt with by the Executive of the Central Committee, and in addition, the Executive is investigating complaints that have been made regarding the insufficiency of the assistance already granted. When these matters are finalised, a meeting of the Central Earthquake Committee, will be held in regard to those cases where settlers are unable, through lack of road access, to work their farms. The Committee has authorised the payment, of allowances until such times as road access is retored. Alowances amounting to approximately £BO per week are at present being paid, and it is impossible at the moment to determine the total amount that will be required on tins account. Concerning the question of assistance for the widows and dependants of the persons killed during the earthquake, the Committee, at its last meeting, resolved to request the Comissioner of Pensions to investigate a report as to what provision would be reasonable to make out of the relit fund on this account The report of Commissioner will be considered at the next meeting ol the Committee. It is probable that aproximately £20,000 will be required for the purpose of providing for the widows and dependants of those who lost their lives as a result of the earthquake. The foregoing summary does not provide for the whole of the charges on the Central Fund, but covers only the authorities definitely issued by fhe Central Committee. The fund has tb meet the charges incidentals to the care of the refugees from the affected areas immediately following (he disturbance. In addition to this, authority was given for repairs up to H 5 to he carried out in the Puller and Kara men districts without reference to the Central Committee and the total evpiMiditure under these headings is at present uncertain. A full state-

me lit of the fund and committments thereon will, however, be placed before the Central Committee at its next meeting.