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Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1931, Page 4

R.ko.ui ding the local response to the Hawkes Bay Relief Fund, the Alayor at Tuesday night’s meeting of the local Executive, said the voluntary response had been quite good, and that there was now a fJlOO;) in sight. AYe expect the total to exceed that sum, and there is ('very reason for the hope, because the need of the people ruined in the afflicted area, is very great. .Steps are being taken to raise additional funds in the town by special benefit functions. It was decided to qsk the country centres also to cooperate, The inter-AA'anganui district lost no time in subscribing substantially to the fund, and. cftlier districts may he expected to emulate that fine effort There is room for all the help the district can give. Alany millions in all will he required. But apart from the restoration of the towns, the private individuals have lost heavily. If the homes of a greatnumber nave escaped the aftermath when the fire raged, the buildings (oven the wooden ones) are in numerous cases hopelessly destroyed and not ha?7ftable. In the severity of the major ’quake, chimneys crashed through roof's, and the whole building was twisted and buckled. Everything breakable within was destroyed by the force, of the visitation AYe read of hot water systems bursting and doing great damage and wholesale destruction of the contents. Folk who had comfortable homes, are now homeless and t-he most valuable of their possessions destroyed. They have to start again. This is what is facing the people living in the country as well as the towns, for some of the outback settlers in the hilly country had to suffer a most destructive experience, and have lo.u, as heavily as those in the closer scttleu places. In giving therefore, the public niav have the feeling that every penny 'will he helpful. The money raised will assist to remove some of the difficulty facing the ruined people setting out to start life over again, and beginning to get a home over their beads again. The appeal is unique fortunately. Never has such a set or similar circumstances arisen before. I’lie need is certainly great and the response should be liberal. AA e aie sure this district will strive to do its host and help those distressed so grentIv and in need of so much direct help.