RESTORATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 17 July 1929, Page 5

RESTORATION

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING "SELF-HELP" WONT PREJUDICE CLAIMS FOR ASSISTANCE A meeting of the executive of the Re- • lief Committee was held in the Council Chambers this morning. There were present: The Mayor (Mr W. J. Moffatl) in the chair. Councillors F, W. Huggins H. E. Washboum, G. Page, G. P. Rus- • sell, W. McConchie, and S. A\ Gibbs, and Messrs F. W. 0. Smith, J. FitzGerald, H. Kidson, A. F. Waters, and G. A. Edmonds (Town Clerk). A telegram was received from the Prime Minister (Central Committee), authorising the expenditure of £2OO on urgent requirements at Murchisou. On a Nelson request for assistance in the way of putting'a dwelling in repair it was decided that the v building he inspected with a view to temporary repairs being carried out. A letter was received from Dovedale regarding allowances for the housing of refugees. It was decided that the usual allowance be made on a proper application being made. Reports were received from field inspectors of the Crown Lauds Department, of repair work which was being asked for. The feeling of members was that where it was possible the owners of damaged properties should set about helping themselves. Mr Waters commented on a case where the owner had ■ engaged a bricklayer to effect repairs. Finally on the motion of Councillors: Washboum and Page the following resolution was carried: — That those property-owners who are effecting temporary repairs be notified that while the committee cannot undertake to pay for any particular repairs, the fact that they have helped themselves will not prejudice their subsequent claims for assistance. SUB-COMMITTEES' POWERS The Takaka County Council informed the executive that a committee had been, formed at Takaka to act in an advisory capacity to the 'Nelson Committee. Councillor Gibbs moved and Councillor Huggins seconded the following motion, which was carried: —"That the Takaka and Collingwood Committees be informed • that matters requiring their advice would be referred to them by this Committee, and as far as this Committee is concerned, any funds collected locally could be vised for necessitous cases, without reference to the Nelson Committee." A similar intimation is to be sent to the Motueka Committee. CENTRAL COMMITTEE'S POLICY 3 A letter was received from the Central Committee asking that all funds 'not used be paid to the Central Committee to be invested so that they could earn interest. The Central Committee 1 proposed to have a special banking account for current expenses, including temporary repairs to buildings. The Central Committee asked for the amount of the balance not expended and for the Committee to submit a statement of payments already made. On the motion of Councillor Gibbs, seconded by Mr Smith, it was decided that consideration of the Central Committee's letter be deferred pending a statement of disburse'mentß and anticipated liabilities in the next fortnight. ARRANGEMENTS.FOR VALUERS,; A letter is to be sent to the Central Committee, stating that the Nelson Committee has extended its operations in the Nelson Hospital Board area and would continue to do so. The motion to this effect was moved by Councillor Gibbß and seconded by the Town Clerk. The Mayor remarked on the shortage of accommodation for workers at Murchison. It was decided to ask Mr Stringer and the Murchison Relief Committee, to report as to the advisability of,repairing and using as,a dormitory the old hall, which had been offered by Mr Duncan, and the expense involved. It was decided to ask Messrs J. W. Marris, W. E. Wilkes and Butler if they were willing to act as valuers cf V structional damage and damage to contents, when required. It was decided that future meetings be held at 4 o'clock in the afternoon instead of 11 o'clock in the morning. Accounts amounting to £206 19s 3d were passed for payment, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Mr Kidson. The Mayor reported that there was a large quantity of clothing still on hand.. Mrs Watson is, to be asked to supervise the inspection and classification of the articles. FAREWELL SPIT EXPLOSION , NOT THE FIRST PHENOMENON OBSERVED (SOME YEARS AGO (From "The Mail's" Special Representative) WESTPORT, 16th July. The submarine disturbance off Farewell Spit on Sunday is not the first reported in this locality. The writer recalls a report within a period of six or seven year's before the War in which the Farewell Spit light keeper described a remarkable happening one night. Details were published at the time and should be on record by the Marine Department. But the occurrence seemed to excite no attention from scientists then or since. The keeper stated that he noticed a red glare on the clouds out to sea. Thinking a ship was on fire he turned the glasses on it but could see no ship. Tie glare increased and the sea below was noticed to be violently agitated as if boiling. Then a huge luminous incandescent mass was seen to rise up out of the sea and remain some time after which it subsided again and the glare finally faded out of the sky. No shakes or other disturbances accompanied this strange phenomenon on the former occasion, but its repetition now lends colour to the theory of the submarine origin of the present long continued disturbances.