WEST COAST FLOODS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1931, Page 5

WEST COAST FLOODS

DAMAGE FROM EARTHQUAKE DEBRIS. WESTPORT, June 7. A large meeting of Karamea settlers addressed by Mr O. C. Black, M.P.. and the Hon. W. H. Mclntyre, was held to consider the damage done in tfie district Irom floods following the earthquake winch raised the river channel.

it was resolved “that this representative meeting of the settlers of the Jvannuea district desires to represent to the Prime Minister the, serious position of those settlers whose ranns were so badly damaged by deposits of #arthc:uake debnsi occasioned • by the Easter flood of this year, and further to point out that as such damage was not suffered until April 3rd, 1931, it was not possible for any of these settlers to lodge claims in respect of this particular damage on or before July 28th, 1931), which day was determined upon by the Central Earthquake Committee as the last on which applications for relief from the fund could be lodged for consideration. In the circumstances this meeting confidently appeals to the Governmertt to meet these cases out of the West Coast fund. ;is the damage can he attributed to the earthquake only, before any balance is -transferred to the Hawke’s Bay account as such a consideration will he only in keeping with the spirit in which many contributors to the fund desired to help the West Coast stricken area,' - '

•' “That In view of the fact that the Government through the State Advances Office is financially interested in many of the properties damaged by tbe recent deposits of earthquake debris, it be requested to arrange for a comprehensive report to be obtained for consideration by the Advances Board, by which the position of these affected settlers may be reviewed and also that the Native Trustee, as administrator of the native reserves affected, should lie requested to assist in the matter.”