AFTER THE ’QUAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1930, Page 5

AFTER THE ’QUAKE

NELSON HOSPITAL BEPAIRJS

STATE ASKED TO PAY

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

NELSON, June 7

Th e earthquake of last June involved the Nelson Hospital Board in an expenditure of £BBBO in repairing damage, and making structural alterations to strengthen the" building against possible future damage from the same cause. The Government has •already contributed £3900 toward the cost, and on the balance has given a £ for £ subsidy, leaving approximately £3900 to be found by way of additional levy on contributing local bodies. This means an increase in rates and a deputation representing local bodies to-day waited on the Minister of Health (the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) requesting the Government to find the whole amount of the money necessary to pay for repairing earthquake damage. * AIT Stallworthy said he could not commit the Alinister of Finance because of the necessity for economy, jout he would lay the case before him. Speakers stressed the point that the matter should be looked upon as a national one, and that it was not reasonable to expect ratepayers who had already contributed liberally to the earthquake fund to be called upon to pay additional rates. It was pointed out that many sufferers from the earthquake had not called upon the relief fund, but had stood their losses and that the Government had paid the total cost of damage at Westport. The Alinister, replying, said Nelson people were to, be congratulated on the line spirit shown in not 1 relying upon outside assistance and also in contributing liberally to the relief fund. Regarding the treatment of Westport, lie stated that the original estimate for repairing damage-in that town was £3(00, which the Government had immediately met, and that sum fortunately covered the damage. The original estimate of damage at Nelson was about £1909, and authority had been given immediately for that amount, and It was.not until later that the damage was found to be more extensive. Hal Nelson said at the outset that it- wanted, say, £9OOO, he had no hesitation 'in saying that that would have been given. TIMES NOT NORMAL.

Had it been a normal year he would have committed the Minister of Finance to meet the additional requirements, said Mr Stalhvorthy, but unfortunately times were not normal, lie was very pleased to lmve fuller information regarding the general financial position. He could say frankly that he was not in a position to say offhand that he could find the money required, xts a matter of fact, he knew he could not find it out oi the Health vole. Economy was so necessary that even £’.°,oo!l would be a considerable sum. He admitted that the denotation had established jts ease without a shadow of doubt, and he would make a re-ommendation to the Minister of Finance to see if it weie possible to put a straight-out vote on the Estimates to meet the situation.