DEFINITE POLICY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 18 July 1929, Page 5

DEFINITE POLICY

FOR EARTHQUAKE RELIEF MAKING HOMES HABITABLE MEETING OF THE NELSON COMMITTEE At a meeting of the Earthquake Belief Committee held earlier in the week a definite policy was put into operation in the matter of the amounts to he expended in effecting temporary repairs to homes. There were present (the Mayor (Mr J. Moffatt) in the chair, the Hons. 11. Atmore and W. W. Snodgrass, Councillors F. W. Huggins, C. t*. Russell, G. Page, J. A. Stringer and S. A. Gibbs; and Messrs F. W. 0. Smith, J. Fitzgerald, A. F. Waters, G. A. Edmonds, H. Kidson and O'Donnell. It was decided to send a letter to the Prime Minister stating that the Nelson Committee heartily concurs that nothing save essential administrative expenses should be paid from the Relief Fund. The action of the Mayor in authorising up to £2O to be spent on repairing chimneys m one case was endorsed. On the motion of Councillors Huggins and Page it was decided that not more than £SO be expended in temporarily repairing any one house. It was also resolved on the motion of Councillors Huggins and Page that where grants for restoration are made by the committee, payments for such work be not made except on the certificate of the Committee’s duly appointed supervisor. The Hon. W. W. Snodgrass moved and Councillor Gibbs seconded; “That the' Public Works Department be informed that the Committee has arranged for the supervision of partial restoration, in order to expedite tho return of. refugees to their homes.” This was carried. It was resolved to inform tho Public Works Department that the supervisor has power to authorise a maximum of £SO to be expended on temporary repair* to any one house. The motion . was moved by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Waters. On the motion of Councillor Gibbs and'Mr Kidson it was resolved: “That supplies of application forms for financial assistance for repairing earthquake damage be sent to local authorities in' the district, and that notice be given that application forms must be completed and returned to the Town Clerk by the 31st inst., otherwise their , claims might be prejudiced. Councillor Gibbs moved and the Hon. }V. W. Snodgrass 'seconded the following motion, which was carried: “That Mr J. A. Stringer be appointed the supervisor at a fee of £3 3s a day, including Sundays (when working) and all expenses paid.” The supervisor was given a free hand j in connection with the ' employing of workmen and obtaining tools and material, and is required to report to the Committee once a week. A motion to this effect wa& moved by Mr Smith and seconded by the Mayor. A resolution was carried (proposed by the Hon. Mr. Snodgrass and seconded by iMr Smith) that the Murchison Countjr Council be asked to arrange for office accommodation and clerical assistance at Murchison for the supervisor. A number of applications for assist-' ance were dealt with.