NAPIER FIRES CONTINUE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1931, Page 6

NAPIER FIRES CONTINUE

NAVAL MEN TO BLAST BUILDINGS.

AUCKLAND, February 4

The following message from the Commander of the “Dunedin,” who is ashore at Napier, to the warship was intercepted by H.AI.S. Veronica; — “Send the Lieiitenaiit-in-cliarge of Torpedo Stores, with till available demolition stores, to report to the Veronica.” Commander Glover said this message indicated that it was intended to blow up several buildings in Napier in order to check the flames. The Commander of the .Yerouiua, later sent the following message to the Commander of the Dunedin;—“The O.C. Air Base, reports that four Moth planes are ready for immediate service. Air Ellriott Davis offers a chlorinating plant, which will be carried by the plane.” The Commodore replied to the request that (he chlorinating plant would be sent. Five aeroplanes left Autickland this afternoon with the plant and expert-. A REFUGEE’S STORY NAPIER RESCUE WORK. PALMERSTON N.. February 4. Mr W. Girling, of Napier, who arrived in Palmerston North this afternoon, stated lie spent the night in the open in the Botanical Garden after j working all day on the Nurses’ Home, and Hospital, assisting to extricate the | nurses and others who liyd been I trapped. The Nurses’ Home a lerro- , concrete building, collapsed like a pack of cards. As far as was knrwn oti the night, there were sixteen nurses besides the office staff, consisting of two young men. and a young woman. The three latter were in a hopeless position, being buried under the whole three stories. The nurses, however, wet-e j j)laced in a slightly better position, and i it was thought some at least, could he I saved. Altoffcther six were extricated! | alive from the dehris, more or less J I severely hurt. One of the nui'ses was j j penned under a big concrete slab which Iliad been a portion of a wall, and it j was found necessary to use crowbars, I a sledge-hammer and levers. I The maii-o’-wiirsmen assisted in this j laborious work, which took a dozen | men three hours before the nurse was i finally freed. I Another girl was trapped under a j stairway behind the first-mentioned ! nurse, and could not get free until her ! mate got out. The two girls stoically j | endured the long suspense crouched in ■ discomfort and pain. When the sledgei hammers got to work the girl suffered j severely, hut relief was given by using j levers. | Throe members of the staff had not , 1 been got out at 8.30 this morning. One i of these. Air .Shirley, was a well-known | musician, while a lady assistant, Aliss I Thorn-George, was among those report-, ed in the list of dead. Air Girling, a member of the staff| of Robjohtis, Himlmarsli and Co., was j unloading a lorry on the wharf at ; Port Aluiriri when the upheaval occurred. The sensation was as of a terrific upthrust from underneath, which j lifted the boats about to the level of j the wharf and threw the Harbour , j Board’s shed over on to the lorry. Air I j Girling sprinted along the wharf on to the road, and just missed being buried, hut His hike still lies underneath the 1 yards of fallen bricks and cement. j 1 The wharves all way along are in a ' terrible state, being cracked and out ' of plumb and sunk in places. j The boats all cleared out into th<> i hay. with the exception of the Veron- 1 ica. which stuck to her post, and did ' noble service. ■ 1 A fire started in the uostairs portion 1 of Rolijohns. Hindmarsh’s two-storey 1 building at the port front, and the side | had fallen out, and the wreck was soon : a blazing furnace, which spread’ rapid- s Iv. and consumed all in its path. j All the wholesale premises were <- destroyed, besides several wool stores, t and the Post Office. The wind was blowing in the opposite direction, fan- ' ning flames into renewed activity, and 11 placing the residential portion in grave , t danger. ! w

j In Napier a high wind developed I from the west, and the Cosmopolitan Club, one of the few remaining buildings in the stricken area, caught fire, and was burning fiercely. | Trinity Methodist Church, one of the oldest buildings in Napier. is still I standing, and does not appear to have suffered much damage. 55 SHOCKS IN 9 HOURS. Mr Girling stated that between R p.ni. and o a.in. there were no fewer than 5o shocks, and tremors. These were recorded in a novel manner by a j boy who camped in the park. Every J time a shake occurred he put a knot in a niece of string, and by five o’clock he ran out of string. Other shakes followed during the morning, including three very severe ones. PRIME MINISTER’S THANKS. WELLINGTON, This Day. Hon. 0. AY. Forbes has cabled to tlm Commonwealth Government on behalf of the people of New Zealand, expressing appreciation at the generous offer of the services of an Australian warship. but assuring the Australian Government that adequate arrangements had been made for necessary relief. measures.

AN AWFUL ORDEAL. FEARFUL DEATHS OF THE PEOPLE. W ELLINGTON, February 4. A special representative of the “Dominion” in the stricken area, in a message to his pa per an f o the New Zealand Press Association, states; In 5 common with Napier, Hastings was a , town of death last night, and it would be impossible to estimate the actual toll until the bereaved families are _ able to report with certainty that the , members of their households will not , return. By this morning, thirty-nine , bodies had been recovered. It was. with brutal suddenness that the first and most devastating shake occurred. Within a minute or less, Hastings had been almost completely i razed to the ground. The town was , full of shoppers, and they were caught . like rats in a trap. AYith one mighty . upheaval Hastings became a vast • charnal house, and three storied buildings crumbled with a deafening roar, . vomiting great masses of debris in all | directions. Herotnunga Street, the main thoroughfare, was transformed t into a gully of destruction, beneath whose ruins could he heard the cries of women and children, which died within a few minutes, t.o give place to a silence such as might creep over some alitine slope after the passing roar of an avalanche. fife centres of all the streets were littered in a fenmoments with a tangled mass of telephone and electric light wires, verandah poles, great, masses of concrete and furniture hurled from the shops and offices.

TERRIBLE DEATHS

A constable who rushed from the Police Station immediately after the shake was confronted with the sight, of a young girl sitting near tile road with her legs severed below the knee. From every direction came the screams of men and women. Some children were crying piteously beneath the ruins of a shop near the remains of the C’osv Theatre. Nothing could he done for them, and it was not long before they were swallowed up in the flames that engulfed the area. Those who had escaped tore frantically at the piles of debris covering the people who had been standing near them when the shook occurred.

Rescues were made in many instances with debris falling on every side.

The escapes were remarkable. Some people were thrown right into the street, t° get up and walk away almost unhurt.

A porter in the Grand Hotel was on the upper floor and the shock throw the whole building into the street, and the porter went with it. He was recovered sonic time later. little the j worse for Ids experience. The proprietor. Air Ross, was trapped in the cellar, and it is thought, lie would have been safe until early next morning, when the lire swept the street and consumed what remained of the building. MOTORS BURIED. Many motor ears were buried as , they stood beside the kerbs, and in j several instances the occupants were engulfed with them. | It was impossible to stand on one’s feet (luring a moment of the shock. : One man was trapped beneath a great pile ol bricks trom 11 o’clock in the morning until 7 o’clock in the evening. and although injured, he greeted His rescuers with a smile, j A HOLOCAUST. 1 It is believed dozens of bodies are lying beneath a hopeless tangle where once stood the Public Library bnild- , iug. It was full of people when the | shake occurred. Few were able fo run clear, and the whole structure coli lapsed on the staff and the readers. ! A hand of workers snout a great part ol the day clearing away the piles of rubbish, hnf (lie task was hopeless, and finally they abandoned 7t when if was realised that no one could lie alive. j Order was maintained in the town 1 and rescue hands were organised and supervised. I* ire raged through the town all day. and it was quite impossible for the brigade to stop it spreading. As night advanced the stricken town became lighted with the hopeless glow of its own funeral pyre. The reflection could be seen for miles. There was no thought, of sleep.

RACES POSTPONED

GISBORNE, February 4

| < ii-liom.' races, to he held to-mor-row and Saturday, have been postponed for one week on aecount of tlie earthquake. Poverty Bay Turf Club meeting: was set down for Thursday and Saturday of next week, but it is expected that this elub will fall into line and postpone its meeting.

FRESH GISBORNE SHOCK

GISBORNE, February 4

A fairly sharp shock of earthquake wa s experienced here about a quarter to five this evening, and sent large numbers of people, who are very nervy after yesterday’s big shakes here, running into the streets. The Collector of Customs is making representations to the Marine Department that either the Pukeko or Waimea. both not licensed to carry passengers, be allowed to take a few relatives of people in the stricken area, and if permission is granted every one of the passengers must be able to fully satisfy the Collector of Customs thathe or she is proceeding home to relatives. If permission is granted the vessels will leave tomorrow. I

RUIN IN WAIROA

A REVIEW OF THE POSITION THERE. WAIROA, February 4. At about 10.45 yesterday morning, a most disastrous earthquake occurred here, resulting in half of the. business portion of the town being reduced to ruins, and not, more than six chimneys being left standing, in the whole of the residential part- The big trafficbridge was destroyed, but fortunately the new railway bridge remains intact. Dozens of buildings crashed and many people had miraculous escapes from death. Three persons were killed, several were seriously injured, and many were more slightly hurt with cuts and bruises. Two houses and their contents were burnt to the ground. The Marine Parade suffered worst, tin- middle of the town being wrecked, while fissures have opened up in many places. Every shop and residence inside presents a scene of indescribable confusion. The loss of property is tremendous, and will run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. Many misinessmen are faced with ruin. while private citizens’ losses are also very great- Heavy shocks occurred every few minutes during the whole after.llooll and night. Most of tTie residents were camping out on lawns and in gardens, being afraid to sleep indoors. It was a night of tension and nervousness and there was no sleep For anyone as shocks were continuing at frequent intervals. The railway line from Wairoa to Kotemaori is twisted in all directions, and lorries, cars and passengers are marooned at intervals between Wairoa and Napier. There are road blockages everywhere, but the Public Work’s Ranger has every available worker engaged in clearing slips. The road has gone into the liver in several places. Provided that there is j no further damage it, is expected that | cars may he able to get through in a ! few days. Tt js reported that the whole face of the country is changed. Tn several places small hills have completely disappeared. A huge meeting of citizens was held yesterday afternoon, and committees were organised for light, water and food as the electric power and the water system are cut off. The transformers at the sub-stations turned topsy-turvey. and the water pipes were smashed. The telephone is also out of action, wires and poles being down. Food supplies are likely fp cause anxiety. Thousands of carcasses of meat at the freezing works are likely to he ruined unless a boat arrives within a day or two. At Waikokopu the meat works, the New Zealand Shipping Company’s big building. Williams and Kettle’s store and many other places are badly damaged. while numerous shops are razed to the ground. While blocks of brick and concrete buildings along the river front were levelled. The Gaiety Theatre. the Post Office, and dozens of shops were wrecked, and unless the Government comes to their assistance, dozens of business-men will be faced with ruin. The Citizens’ Committee are now organising food supplies, carrying water, patrolling the town to prevent pilfering, and arranging for the safety of the damaged buildings. Tt will be a month before tilings can he restored to normal. The town and district has received a setback ton? will take years to recover from tbe appalling disaster.

RELIEF MEASURES. 5000 WOMEN AND CHILDREN DUE. at Palmerston north. PALMERSTON N., February 4. Five thousand women and children refugees irom the earthquake region are expected to arrive at Palmerston North early this evening, providing transport arrangements can be finalised in time.

An appeal was received by Air J. A. Nash AI.P. from Napier for supplies jof bread and other food, the dispatch i of police, more wafer tanks, tools, and benzine supplies almost immediately. A special meeting was held at which were, present Messrs Nash, ALT.; C. Louissan, (President of the Racing Club) ; J. Linklater, Af. P. ; Shelton, (Chief Postmaster); and also the city .engineer and clerk. was reported j the showground buildings would be available for accommodation of refugees also facilities at Awapuni race-course. Arrangements are reported to have been made to send two thousand loaves of bread to Napier, while other requests received attention. The engineer was instructed to despatch a lorry load of benzine for use of relief work on the East Coast. Instructions were issued for the despatch of a number of City Council employees, also 8 employees of the power board.

In response to a request from Hastings stated the Hospital Board promised to provide fifty beds for injured. The hotels are to he approached for the loan of blankets and bedding.

OAMARU GRANT. OAMARU, February 4. The Oamaru Borough Council has donated £IOO to be expended on immediate relief in the stricken area. TI-'MARTI FUM'D. TI.MARU, February 44. The Timaru Borough Council, tonight voted £SOO to the earthquake relief fund, and also decided to open a public list. A numlier of voluntary contributions have already been received. including £SO from the Timaru Herald.

WELLINGTON RELIEF

LARGE MEASURE GOES. FORWARD.

WELLINGTON, February 4

The Railway Department despatched a relief train fully equipped at 8.20 last night. It reaches Waipukurau a? 12.45 a.m., and the gear was transferred to 34 lorries, which left at once for Napier and Hastings. rtiis morning a number of insulated waggons left for Hastings to take supplies of frozen meat for the sufferers.

Commissioner Cunningham said this morning that 12 cars filled with bread had left in charge of Brigadier Caearlev, with Mahatfy, and Hour women officers. They had word through from Dannevirke saving their maternity hospital at Napier was wrecked, but that the officers, patients and babies were sate. A telephone message from Palmerston North intimated two of the Salvation Army women officers had arrived eu route to Wellington with nine of the baliies with.them.

A Red Cross detachment, Dr Kerr Hislop, Sisters Lees and Lewis, five V.A.D.’s two stretcher hearers a them-’ ist and X-ray experts and equipment wet edespatehed last night, 'takingalso 100 blankets and £SO worth ot medical stores.

Dr of St. Bartholomews Hospital, on holiday in New -Zealand, this morning offered his servies, and has gone to Napier with, four Red Cross ambulance men. 4

The Society has also despatched k large quantity of blankets, mattresses and food.

Relief depots have been established and the detachment has been attached to the hospital at Napier. There are 50 voluntary aids ready for service in Wellington hospital, and a large number of Toe H. have gone to the area, and the sending of a tehm only awaits the work of the Health

Department. ;5 , , The Wellington City Rover Group is ready with terns, food and other equipment to- leave at an hour’s notice .Other offers include those of.cdpi. mercial travellers. 'r'. 'U RELIEF PARCELS POST FRE&. The Postal Department advises .that parcels addressed to Earthquake Keiifcif Bodies will be accepted postage free by the Post Office. WESTPORT DONATIONS. COUNCIL URGES STATE. WESTPORT, February i. At a meeting of the, Westport Borough Council this evening it was 'decided to vote £IOO to the Hawlces Bay earthquake relief fund, and tb provide for another £l5O in next year’s estimates. , . A further resolution was: . “That while appreciation to the fullest fextent the assistance granted jbj; jSir Joseph Ward and his Government, together with the sympathy of the-poli-tical parties, jn regard to the big earthquake, and, while recognising the expense which comes as natural consequence of disaster, is bound to. be met by the Government in the matter of public works, vet,, nevertheless, this Council is of the opinion that in disasters of the magnitude of the 1929, and the present calamity, that the Government subsidies to public donation should he favourably considered by the Governmnt to any: amount of -

not less than 25 per cent., the mover explaining dint he thought .thfe Government should give £25 on every £IOO of public contribution to the fund. 7ti . : NELSON’S HELP. NELSON, 'February •». Nelson County Council is sending £IOO to Naiper and the same to Hastings as the first instalment. ' r . Tlie “K” factory, Nelson, is shipping to-night six thousand tins of jam, and three thousand tins of tomato soup, as a contribution towards the relief of distress. The tobacco growers are organising to send relief to the tobacco factory workers.. RANK N.7/S £2,500.

WELLINGTON, February 4. ■*e directors of the Bank of New to contribue one hundred selling o Zealand have given £2,500 towards the relief of earthquake sufferers. - LORD BLED 1 SLOE’S DONATION. WELLINGTON, February 4. Jhe Governor-General has offered to contribute one hundred sterling to any appeal the Government might make for relief funds. WELLINGTON FUND. / The public subscription lists in Wellington passed the thousand mark soon after being opened. CHR J STCHRUCH FUND. CHRISTCHURCH, February 4. The Christchurch Press Company has opened a fund for the relief of earthquake sufferers, with a subscription of £250. AUSTRALIANS THEORY. BIG SEA BED SUBSIDENCE SYDNEY, February 4.' Doctor Cotton, professor of Geology at Sydney University ,i s of the opinion that there has been a huge subsidence in the sea floor to the eastward of New Zeaand in a deep trough on/ the line of seismic action, which practically encircles the Pacific, that this was the probable cause of 'the Hawkes Bay disaster.