EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 20 July 1929, Page 6

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

COMMITTEE MEETING YESTERDAY

REPRESENTATIVE OF CENTRAL CENTRE PRESENT

A meeting of the Earthquake Relief Committee was held yesterday afternoon. There were present the Mayor (Mr W. J. Moffalt) in the chair, Councillors G. Page, H. E. Washbourn, I l ’. W. Huggins, S. Moynagh, G. 1\ Russell, S. A. Gibbs, Messrs Mitchell (secretary of the Central Centre, Wellington), 11. Kidson, A. E. Waters and J. Fitzgerald. The chairman introduced Mr Mitchell, who had been sent over to confer with the Nelson Committee, particularly in the matter of appointing assessors of earthquake damage. He stated that the Central Committee considered the assessing should be done by Government officials. Such an arrangement would save expense, he said. On the motion of Councillors Huggins and Washbourn the following motion was passed: “That the Nelson Committee has no objection to the Central Committee’s proposal that the Government be asked to take over the assessment of damage, and that the Farmers’ Union be informed to this effect.” The suggestion of the local assessors, who had been asked to act in that capacity, came from th e Farmers’ Union. A question was asked whether assistance was to be given on a pro rata basis or on the financial position of the claimants. It was made quite clear that in cases where owners were in a position to repair their own damage they were expected to do so. People who were well to do would probably have no claim, even if their damage was great. Mr Mitchell stated that the Public Works Department was prepared to supply a supervisor for the reconstruction work.

The Mayor explained that the supervisor appointed by the Nelson committee was now in Murchison organising and supervising repairs .to homes which would make them habitable. Several members of the committee said there was a lot of comment in regard to the appointment of the supervisor, The Mayor explained to Mr Mitchell that the appointment had been made for a few weeks only (about three weeks). The supervisor had volunteered to supply clerical assistance. After consideration of accounts, which amounted to nearly £SOO, and which were passed for payment, the following resolution was carried on the motion of Councillors Washbourn and Page: “That this committee will in future be unable to consider accounts for expenditure which have not previously been authorised by this committee.” A copy of this resolution is to be forwarded to the Murchison Committee.

In reply to the Committee, Mr- j. W. Marris stated he could not accept a position of valuer. Messrs W. E. Wilkes and A. Gould notified that they were willing to act . An application for a grant towards the renewal of a private bridge was referred to tile supervisor.