THE EARTHQUAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1931, Page 5

THE EARTHQUAKE

LATEST REPORTS. POSITION AT NAPIER. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) NAPIER, Feb. 10. The weather is dull, threatening and celd. The sea is moderate. At 11.54 last night a violent shake, lasting a minute occurred, followed

by a few minor tremors. This heavy shake, was the big one since 9.30 a.m The time between these shakes is becoming longer. A few of the remaining ladies nreappearing in male attire in the streets The following business people announce immediate resumption of business activities:—

Briaseols. umbrella works. Valean Foundry. Nash Motors. Anderson and Hansen. McGregor and Co. Holts, timber merchants, contractors etc. Peach and Co.

With, reference to Commissioner Cunningham's statement that women should return, it is stated here that whilst the changes of an epidemic are remote, it is advisable tv> keep all women and families out till the threat of disease has been definitely overcome. Excellent work is being done, and a few weeks should bring about a wonderful change'. The control of the authorities is being lightened up, military having re/ plnced the Nnval men in most duties. It is now difficult for anybody to get jn or out of the town. This action is taken to prevent undesirable people or helpless women becoming a burden on the organisation, or multiplying the problems of disease. Even relief workers entering the town now are being detained until their bona fules is established, and a genuine, case of a person desiring to leave is being delayed, but it requires a great deal of subterfuge by the unwanted people to obtain any freedom of movement. Nerve wrecked people are receiving attention and being sent tout for a few days.

It is stated by a reliable witness that when 'the first ’quake started, there were only two pedestrians between the corner point' of Bluff Hill and Coote Road. Both these women were carried by the debris from, hill into the sea. One waded ashore, and the other got caught between two rocks, but was immediately released. The same witness also asserts that not a single vehicle was visible on that stretch, of ;road. This isuggests that the fear that half a hundred people were buried under the debris round Point Road leading to the Port and also smothered, may be groundless, but it is! believed several bodies are there. Certainly some cars were buried on this section. * ROYALTIES CONTRIBUTION. LONDON February 10, The earthquake funds totals £7816. Tfiti Prince of Wales contributed £250 the Duke and Duchess of York £IOO. At the opening of the New Zealand produce dislay in the Empire Marketing Board’s shop at Birmingham a people’s gift off £IOO was made. The president said that many who were unable to contribute financially might help the sufferers and relatives, and also assist the Dominion through bad times by purchasing it produce.

CANADIAN SYMPATHY

WELLINGTON, February 30.

Mr Livesay, manager of the Canadian Press Association, cabled Mr Abbey Jones, chairman of the New Zealand Press Association, that the Canadian delegation at the Imperial Press Conference join in'sympathy and ♦express willingness to help in any possible way.

AUSTRALIAN HELP

ISYDNEY, February Id,

Contributions to the Lord' Mayor’s New Zealand Earthquake Relief Fund, totals £220. Collections at St. Andrew’s Church of England at Summer Hill on Sunday, devoted to the relief ■of the sufferers, totalled £52 10s.

charitable bequests

WELLINGTON, February 10.

Th© ’will of the late Bridget Cronin of Wellington makes • the following charitable gifts:— £IOO to the parish priest at Petone; £IOO to the Sacred Heart Convent at Petone, and the residue equally between the Home ot Compassion at Island. Bay; and St. ..loseohs Orphanage, Upper Hutt. It jis anticipated the residue will be. about £6OO.

THE FOOD QUESTION

WELLINGTON, February 10

In it message from Hastings to the Press Assoeiaton. Mr Penlington of the Special Police states icompulsory registration was initiated to-day for all genuine residents of Hastings and vicinity. for the purpose of rationin' the food, and arranging for labour. No :food is obtainable here by visitors or sightseers, or persons looking for work.

TROTTING MEETING PROPOSED

AUCKLAND, Feb. 10,

The Auckland (Trotting Club has decided to hold an earthquake relief meeting on Monday, April 27th. and Wednesday 20. It was at first proposed to open on Saturday 25th., but that is Anzao Day.

COMMUNICATIONS.

AIR FORCE’S GREAT WORK

HASTINGS, Febniarv 9,

The New /maiancl Air l one which formally took over two days ago the aerial transport services between Hastings and other districts, has done and is doing work of incalculable value. Fifteen pilots are working in relief and are Hying to various parts of the North Island, but more particularly

to Wellington. Auckland. Wairna and Gisborne*. The official service Ims averaged 45 flying hours since it began and on one day flew sixty-five. 'J'ne average daily mileage is forty thousand. The planes take letter mails, telegrams and passengers, and have done especially valuable work in carrying medical and other urgent supplies, and also officials on urgent business. Some of the importantly necessary plant carried has consisted of water chlorinating plant, wireless transmitting and receiving plants, which were installed at Hastings aerodrome. Returned soldiers are playing an important part in the air service and in fact in every other relief source while territorials are also giving most useful service. One of the most useful functions of the service is the carrying of telegrams from Hastings and Napier to Wellington for transmission. Without this relief, the telegraph operators would huve been completely overwhelmed. One of the planes carried 2,100 telegrams to Wellington in a single load. The Maoris have also been prominent in relief work. The quake was scarcely over when a large party of properly organised Maoris funned a working gang and appeared in the town, and immediately set about sharing the work of clearing debris, digging out the dead, and tending the injured, the women joining with the men in this splendid service. The whole of the Maoris organisation is under the control of the Maori Welfare League and the members set an example which impressed everybody. They are imbued with a spirit of cheerfulness and sell sacrifice, and their help in this time of need is not likely to he forgotten readily

Major A. G. -Penlington said that uniformed police would be in power in the residental areas until the nerves of the people had settled down. He added that excellent work had been done by his force of picket and impromptu police, the greater part ot whom were ex-service men and territorials. Some form of recognition of their services should be given, and he suggested that when they disbanded. preference should be given them when calling on unemployed for rebuilding and clearing. As an alternative be suggested that they be given pay, or some form of gratuity. Expressions of sympathy are being received in large numbers, many offering sums of money. The Waimea County Council lias sent a chccpie for £2O and the Nelson City Council one for £IOO. The letter stipulated that its grant was not to be associated in any way with tlie general earthquake fund, as it realised the blessing of having something in hand and entirely iree. A member of the Committee summed up the request by saying ‘ Experience talks.” WELLINGTON, February f).

The Secretary-General of Post Offices stated at 2 p,m. to-day that telegraph traffic for Napier and Hastings continues very heavy and it is still necessary to utilise aeroplanes for the carriage of telegrams. The position, however, has eased slightly since Saturday, Telegraph communication °n Multiple Machine Printing system between Auckland and Napier and he. tween Wellington and Napier is now restored.

AUSTRALIAN BUILDERS ALERT SYDNEY, February 9.

It is rumoured that numbers of idle carpenters and other tradesmen are turning their eyes towards New Zealand, hoping that if they reach Hawkes Bay, they will obtain employment on the reconstruction works. Inquiries in quarters in close touch with the Dominion indicate that sufficient labour is already there to meet all needs.

CHRISTCHURCH MAYOR’S FUND CHRISTCHURCH, February 9.

The Christchurch Mayor’s land now totals £15,265, including the £IO,OOO grant from the City Council, and about £2,100 from the street appeal. The Press fund is £5,504; 'I he Commercial Travellers’ list is £505, and the Suburban and Country lists, not including Ashburton and Timaru, which are centres for their districts, total about £I,OOO The approximate total is £22,274.

TIMARU PROPOSALS

TO SPEND RELIEF MONEYS

WHERE RAISED,

TIMARU, February 9

At a meeting of the Timaru North End Ratepayers’ Association to-night the following resolution was carried “That this Association is of the opinion that as far as possible the monies collected for relief purposes should be spent in the towns in winch they are collected, and that goods which are the product of those towns be sent, and that united action m this matter should be taken. It was nointed out that, in the ease of Timaru, biscuits, boots. Hour, wheat bricks, meat, and dairy produce could be sent to Hawkes Bay. If this policy were carried out throughout the Dominion it would tend to prevent the funds being concentrated and expended in any one area to the detriment of others, and would also ensure a proportionate, distribution of the expenditure. Tn this way financial assistance for the relief of unemploy-

meat would be obtained for each con-

tributing area. The Mayor is to be asked to extend an invitation from the people of Timaru to the local authorities jn the earthquake area offering to accommodate women and children for a period of three months. The Association guaranteed to accommodate one hundred persons.

CH RTSTC'IIUR CM, February *). A wireless message from Lord ISaden • Rowell on the s..s. Rangitatn lots

been received by l)r. P. Rlenncl! Fenwick. of Christchurch, the Dominion Chief Commissioner of Roy Scouts, as follows :—'‘Offer sincere sympathy in national disaster. Hope no guides or scouts are among the casualties.'’ GISBORNE FT’XT). G HSBRONE. February 10. The Gisborne 'RHief Funds Itlotal rtM.trO of which. '£0,250 is on the “Herald” list.