THE QUAKE DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1931, Page 5

THE QUAKE DISASTER

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(lhj Telegraph—Pe

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A GRAPHIC STATEMENT SCORES OF SHAKES WELLINGTON, Tliin Lay. The Press Association agent at Napier says after a night of wind and rain, and scores of shakes, three of them heavy, the weather was again fine. Search Continues. Search for the bodies continues throughout the eity. The whole r°adj over a. mile long from Coote Itoad to Battery Road is under debris, in some cases thirty yards deep, reaching to the sea. The number of people under this cannot be guessed. Turning Grey With Anguish. I Many men and women are turning grey. All are in a state of anguish, many fearing they have only been spared for a worse fate in the form of disease. 3$ Millions of Securities Lost. One office alone lost securities covering three and a-half millions of money. Sanitary Arrangements. Sanitary arrangements have not yet been enforced but tbe work: is in progress. Work is hindered to a degree by visitors. Very few are living in | houses and many are camped in all the Available open spaces, including the cemetery. Fires All Out. The fires are all completely out. No One Will Starve. Meat and bread is being distributed. No one will starve. Water is still a difficulty in some quarters. Unwashed men and women, pitiful wrecks, are standing At most of the places where the wrecking parties are at work. HARBOUR BLOCKED. Veronica Imprisoned. The smallest lighters cannot enter the harbour and H.M.S. Veronica is imprisoned at the wharf. H.M.S. Dunedin and H.M.S. Diomede are anchored several miles out from the usual anchorage. Other boats are still further out at sea. Cars Lost in Rents. In some roads cars completely disappeared in the rents. Welcome Aeroplanes. . The appearance of aeroplanes over the town seemed to create a feeling of confidence. Papers Print Sheet. The only building left in -the.•commercial area is being used as a printing office by the combined papers, which issue a morning and evening sheet of instructions and a. list of the dead and injured. Burial of Dead. The burial of the . dead is taking Uplace this/afternoon. A Fearful Stench. The stench in places is awful. Numbers of Injured. Almost every third person is wearing a bandage of some sort. NAPIER DEATH ROLL. MAY NOT EXCEED 100. (Special to “Guardian”). .WELLINGTON, February 6. The Napier Press Association agent states it is hoped the deaths in Napier will not exceed one hundred. SYMPATHY. (Received 10.5 n.m.) LONDON, February 5Sir T. Wilfonl has received personal fetters of sympathy from Hon. R. MacDonald, Ambassadors, High Commissioners and also many unsolicited, donations. Sir T. Wilford to-day talked with Hon. G. Forbes on the wireless telephone.

FURTHER PARTICULARS

HARROWING DESCRIPTIONS

OF PLIGHT OF PEOPLE

Press A ssociaiion)

FRIENDS

SCENES AFTER. THE QUAKE

IN NAPIER R,ESI DENTAL AREA

\VELLINGT’ON, February 5

A Wellingtonian in Napier wan Mr Elms, who was on a holiday. Knowing how anxious people would be to know about the rcsidenis he made a tour of the residentnl area. When the quake occurred, he was on a bicycle in Munro Street and lie saw everything crash into ruins. The commotion following this was awful. Women were screaming and he naw one running out with blood streaming from a largo wound in her head. The Gas Company’s office was wrecked.

In other streets it was the same, Mr Elms continued across the wrecked business area in the vicinity of Clive Road, and then went by way of Milton Road, to the bills. On the way up the only damage seemed to be fallen chimneys. On reaching the top, ho proceeded along Napier Terrace, which is the main route to the Hospital, the Cemetery and the Botanical Gardens. The Main .School is on this street. Its end walls had fallen out, but a boy be spoke to told him the pupiln were not inside when the quake occurred. At the Botanical Gardens, be found a temporary hospital had been established, the patients having been transferred there from the ruins of the institution close by. Strange to sav, though the Nurses’ Home had collapsed. the big tanks erected on the steel fabric supplying the water to the Homo had not fallen. From the Hospital Hill, the whole inner harbour can be seen, and also Port Ahuriri, and much of tbe roadstead. He could see that ltobjohns and Hindmarsh’s big brick store, Murray Roberts, and also Ellison and Duncan’s stores were down and binning, arid tbe Post Office was ablaze inside. He did not try to get round by the Battery and Breakwater roads, h'd the report that the whole of Bluff Hill had fallen was exaggerated. There wan a big slip from the Marine Parade side. It was more than possible that people might have been nn the road when this occurred. The slip extended at least from Coutt’s Road to a point at a distance of about half a mile away he saw parts of houses in the debris, but lie does not think that more than . two or three 'houses on the top of the Bluff Hill were carried away. RACING ABANDONED. WELLINGTON, February 6. The Secretary of the New Zealand Racing Conference was informed by the presidents of Gisborne Racing Club and Poverty Bay Turf Club that because of the conditions caused by the earthquake the Clubs had decided to abandon the summer meetings and will apply for dates later. NEWS BY RADIO. (Recci ,rp d 12.30 n.m.) SYDNEY, February G. Australian listeners to-night at 8 o’clock were priviliged to hoar a rebroadcast from 2YA Wellington of earthquake experiences collated fr°»i eyewitnesses. The announcers voice was heard for a quarter of an hour in the clearest manner, epitomising the vivid escape of nine babies in the Salvation Army Home, the harrowing incidents of Roachs’, Masonic Hotel and tragic scenes at Napier and Hastings. Also Hon. Forbes’ message of thanks to the Australian people. Many listeners agreed they had never heard anything more deeply pathetic or grini.

REASSURING NEWS. MESSAGE TO ENQUIRING

NAPIER, February 6

Although there were fill nee severe shakes last night, most, people had a good rest, esiiecinlly after 2.30 when there was absence ol anything hut mild tremors till 7.30 this morning, when another violent shake istarfiled ftho people. Certain exaggerated statements call for denial. There is no confusion worth mentioning and although a full clearance is not made, burials total under sixty, and it is hoped there is not more than forty bodies yefc to be recovered.

Inquiring friends should not be anxious if no reply is received to inquiries as there is tHo great difficulty in delivering telegrams and despatching replies.

CALL FOR SERVICE. GISBORNE. Febniarv 0. Cook Hospital Board voted £IOO to the relief. The “Herald” list exceeds a thousand pounds. At tbe call of the military authorities, Colonel Gabrieli. Major Afuit. Captains Blackburn and Bangard have gone to Napier to assist to control the situation.

WONDERFUL CITIZENSHIP. SHOWN IN HOUR OF TROUBLE. H ASTI XUS, Fehrnnry 6Tlie voi'v finest a ttrihntes of mankind were needed to withstand the terrible shock that the loss of property and lives has emited an ilast.inos, and those attributes have heen exhibited in i onipletely universal and whole hearted way. The calamity was an extreme test and not a citizen failed under it.

T. H. Gill, a well-known land agent lost his life in attempting to save the life of Miss Hoiilaghati. one of his clerks, but both were trapped under the debris.

A young woman assistant employed in the department store of Roachs Ltd. was partly buried and most painfully injured, when the building entirely collapsed. When rescue came to her aid

she insisted very urgently, hut unsuccess 1 till v, that a man lying also partly buried beside her should he moved first. After the first dreadful shock', men and women became calm and determined that everything humanely possible to succour the injured should he done. Instantly fires broke out at four points in the main street, hut the water supply was very soon put out of action and the fire had to be allowed to more or less exhaust itself.

A little later, a low pressure became available and tbe fires were reduced to such proportions that they were comparatively harmless. On Thursday niglit the town was severely rocked by a second tremor which brought down not, only the small remaining part of the. Grand Hotel, but suspended parts of other partly demolished buildings throughout the town. Soon afterwards a tiny flame was noticed at a point which was the seat of one of the original four fires. No water was available to check it and indeed it looked harmless. Within a few minutes it had became hundred fold, more menacing, and it was only a matter of further minutes when the picket and firemen guarding the town realised the situation had become dangerous. Only debris consisting of bricks, mortar and crushed timbers served for fuel to feed the flames. However, the. fire spread down this mass and despite the efforts of a bucket brigade and firemen working under extreme difficulties. the flames eventually took charge and gutted the hitherto unharmed Union Bank, from which however the books and money were removed by pickets. Continuing, the fire destroyed many other buildings before it was arrested.

RELIEF COMMITTEES FORMED. WELLINGTON, February 6. Tbe City Council voted .£'2oo to the earthquake fund, A meeting of citizens formed a relief committee and decided to convey to the Prime Minister its opinion that offers of relief from outside countries should be gladly accepted. CHRISTCHURCH CITY. DONATION INCREASED TO £IO,OOO. CHRc'iSTCHURCIT. Fob. 0. The City Council increased its donation to the relief fund from £I,OOO to £IO,OOO sterling, at an urgently summoned meeting this morning. Five thousand pounds is available immediately and the balance ns required. The money will he provided from the electricity reserve funds. Councillors Andrews and Sullivan M.P. are leaving to-night for Hawkes Bay.

CANADIAN HELP. (Received this day at II a.m.' ■OTTAWA, February 5. Members of the Government are unwilling to comment directly on the resolution of Canadian Lumbermens Association that credits be extended to New Zealand to enable the purchase of Canadian lumber for reconstruction. The general feeling in official circles, however, is that Government would not hesitate to provide such credits if naked for by the New Zealand Government.

Air Bennett, in n cable of sympathy asked to he informed if there was any possible way that assistance could he rendered.

RACING CLUB’S DECISION. MEETING FOR RELIEF FUND. NEW PLYMOUTH, February 0. In reply to Taranaki Jockey Club’s enquiry, whether the Government would remit taxes on,next week's meet ing if it were held for a relief of the earthquake sufferers. Hon. do la Perrelle advises that Government will remit the tax subject to the following conditions (|) Members and general public alike to pay for admission(2) No free priviliges, such as luncheon. 3) No overhead charges to be made. (4) If a loss is sustained by tbe Club on holding the meeting, such loss to he borne by the club. (5) An audited balance sheet to he furnished within a fortnight. The clul) unanimously decided this morning to agree to the conditions. Tim meeting will therefore he held entirely for the relief fund. LONDON “TIMES” £I.OOO FOR EARTHQUAKE RELIEF.

ved fib .'lav at "I n p.mA LONDON. February 5

The “Times” newspaper has given £1 000 for the relief of earthquake sufferers.

FURTHER REPORT. A DAMAGE].) lUVEU. WELLINGTON’. February (5. The “livening Post" representative in the earthi|uake. area reportine LC > ]iis newspaper anil Press Association stales a hoy was discovered on Thursday under the debris of the Technical College. "Give us a drink" was his only remark when rescued from the !i\ing ionih. He then dashed off violently in search ot his parents, and his name is not known.

| Eskrlale Valiev felt the shock fairly Iseveiely, hut. not to such an extent its | Napier. At Hastings a number of I resiliences were destroyed or damaged . France home for boys, in which or--1 pilous received larm training, was almost. completely demolished. The boys will probably be transferred to Auckland. j At Taradale. the Goveriuent electrical sub-station suffered greatly, though there were ferro-concreie buildings there. Transformers, each weighing twenty tons, were thrown from their bases and damaged. Insulations and overhead controls fell. This means that Mangahao, with Wellington and Auckland will have to carry the load of the southern part of the Island for a considerable time, Waikarcmoana hydro electric scheme is little affected, though every chimney in the settlement tell. The transmission lines stood. One tower came down at Pihanui about forty miles north of Napier where the country was greatly disturbed. It is suggested that possibly the centre of the disturbance was located at or near Pihanui. Un« til the tower is repaired no power can bo transmitted from Waikarenwamv which waa supplying Wairoa anti Gis* borne. A small amount of power is being fed back from Mnngnhoa t° Napier and Hastings. In Napier it is being used tor water pumping. No general water is possible lor Hastings. The diesel plaiq, that escaped damage is being used for pumping.

North Napier roads are in a very had state. There arc heavy slips on ~.e Wairoa at Waikarcmoana which blocked the road’ and dammed hack Waikaretaheke river for throe miles. A great flood will s "'c ( ‘P down should the earth dam break.

PROFESSOR DAVID. DECLARES CAUSE OF QUAKE. WAS PRESSURE OF PACIFIC OCEAN. (Received 12.25 a.in.) SYDNEY. February 6. Professor Sir Egdewort.h David, the noted scientist. Sydney./ declared the Pacific Ocean can he blamed for the New Zealand earthquake. The ocean is getting deeper and deeper and exerts such a tremendous pressure on its abutments. New Zealand being one, that reaching the straining point they filially give way. A slow subsidence o! the floor of the Pacific Ocean was oliriefly responsible for the upheavals in Japan, Manila, and New Zealand. He added tlmt after the 1929 quakes, some of the pressure on New Zealand coast- was relieved bv it portion of the side giving way. That took off a great pressure for the time being, but it exposed the East Coast of the North Island to a bigger pressure and now that to lias given way. Professor David illustrated this point by saying that when a hundred miles of solid rock suddenly cracked, due to the ocean pressure, it naturally produced a terriffle shock or disturbance. Thus after this occurred, in Murchison and Nelson districts shifting the const n few yards westward, as it actually did. one could expect the South Island to get relief from such upheavals for possibly a considerable time and that pressure would next he exerted on the North Island, ns had happened with such disastrous consequences. He desired to suggest that New Zealanders in future adopt the ferro concrete type of building which undoubtedly withstood earth shocks much better than other types. He had noticed this when in San Francisco after the 1906 upheaval.

“My heart goes out- to those who had relatives and friends trapped in Tuesday's shocking disaster. I have only the kindliest feeling for New ZenZealanders, whose overwhelming hospitality to me during my visits there, T shall never forget.”

CONDITIONS AT HASTINGS. HASTINGS, February 6. The Minister of Health states he wishes through the Press Association .to express most grateful thanks for the general assistance rendered in tie disaster, Fatuities in Hastings are expect et. to reach between 120 and 180. Stories of infinite kindness continue to he told, For instance a young Marton baker came post haste to Hastings with a van loaded with bread which he distributed free among the residents. A sustained violent tremor shook the town hist night and had there been anything standing able to come down it must surely have come down. The whole commercial life of the town is completely disorganised. It is likely that none of the banks will reopen for at least another seven or eight days. Volunteeis are working laboriously clearing away the fallen buildings. Many bodies were found, the presence of which hitherto was unsuspected. The town ( however, looks less desolate and much more secure-