WORK OF RESTORATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 5 August 1929, Page 3

WORK OF RESTORATION

MURCHISON COMMITTEE "MEETS UiNTUAL COMMIUTiIi'S lUil’Hli SLiNTAT IV 1:S ATTIiNI) (From Our Own Correspondent) .MURCHISON, This Day. Al cling nl' (lie Relief ( i>lll init • I tit last week there were. present: Messrs Stewart (in. Ihe chair), LSailrock, Rurllcl.l, Hodgson, MrCc/nurliic., Lynch, Rail, and Kraser (secretary). Mr Newman sent un apology fur absence owing lu illness.

The chairman introduced Mr .Mitchell, secretary to the Central Relief Committee, and Mr limes of the Audit Office. Mr Mitchell said he had been instructed by the Central Committee to arrange tor uniformity of action throughout the earthquake area. The Central Committee hud no official intimation of a committee having been formed at Murchison. The first, consideration of the Central Committee was the restoration of homes in the. way of essential comforts. The Nelson Committee, had arranged for this work in the township and the Public Works Department was now dealing with the farm properties. He understood that there were two committees for a lime.

Tho chairman replied that there was an emergency committee appointed which did excellent work. Subsequently this committee had been appointed by a public meeting. Air Mitchell stated that, it was intended to assist really necessitous cases as far as possible. Tho chairman asked Mr Mitchell whothcrthe Central Committee had decided what would be done for those, settlers whose farms had been so much damaged as to bo untenable. Mr Mitchell "replied that it was desired to have the total damage assessed as soon as possible, in. order that the Central Committee would know what measure of relief was required so that the available funds could be allocated as equitably as possible; otherwise the. first in would fare best and others Would he. left out in the cold. Mr Mitchell stated that if -was the desire of the Central Committee that some Government officials should be on this committee.

The chairman moved that Mr Waters (Commissioner of Crown Lands) and M$ Ensoli (Public Works Department Engineer) be members of this committee. .Mr J'artlett seconded the motion, which was carried.

It was resolved that, in the event of either of these gentlemen being unable, to attend meetings, they should have, the, right to send a deputy. Mr .Rait expressed a fear that such action might cause delay ill" dealing with the business.

Mr McConochie supported the motion as being of assistance to the committee, and he referred to the valuable work already done by the gentlemen nominated.

Mi\ Lynch also spoke in support of the. motion. Mr Mitchell asked if this committee had any funds in hand; and, on being advised in tho negative, he stated that money for necessitous cases would be forwarded by the 'Central Committee.

After hearing further explanation, Mr Rait expressed his approval. Mr limes, of the Audit Office, stated thai -he wished to have the accounts audited every month if possible. An imprest account would be opened and he assured the committee that the Comptroller and Auditor-General would assist in every way possible. He was interested in what he had seen and congratulated the people on what they had already clone. The funds which would be used were, from the Central Committee, which had been paid in to the Public Account.

in reply to a question, Mr Mitchell stated that up to the present the fund bein'g administered was from public, subscription only. The Government had not yet decided the question of subsidy because it did not \know what it was up against. Answering another question, .Mr "Mitchell stated that it- was probably 100 soon to expect, the Government to decide what was to be done in connection with farms which had to be abandoned. He understood that some of the farms were undamaged and the main difficulty was lack of access, lie had met two men from Hie Ma ruin who had definite propositions to put up, and if others did likewise he would be glad to see this committee consider I hem and forward them to the Central Committee. Mr Mitchell referred to the earlier statement to the effect that the Maruia Valley was done for, but .it- now appeared that this was not the case. This just served as an instance of the difficulty ol the Government s deciding on a general policy in regard to detail. .Mr Bartlett asked whether, in the, event of a property owner going on with his own reconstruction, would his right to compensation be prejudiced? Mr Mitchell replied that if the. owner could get backing on the understanding that be had no guarantee from the Relief Committee, there was no reason why he should not go ahead.

the chairman said it was evident that the £IOO,OOO, or whatever the. fund amounted to, would not be adequate. Mr Mitchell further stated that if a man. were entitled to relief, his case would not be prejudiced by his having gone on with the work himself. The chairman referred to valuations being made by Mr Le l'ranz. The Minister of Public Works had promised that these valuations of damage to buildings would be made available to the individual owners.

Referring to the estimated cost of repairs to be stated by applicants for relief, Mr Mitchell pointed out that this, after all, was only aii estimate which would be checked by the official's estimate.

The secretary urged that the. estimates of damage to buildings prepared by Mr Le Franz be made, available as soon as possible, and Mr .Mitchell promised to go into this. Mi- Mitchell referred to accouius totalling £SOO from -Murchison which had gone through, and last Tuesday a further batch had come to hand datinj, to quite recent date. He thought these accounts should be closely scrutinised by this committee.

Mr Hodgson stated that far as his account was concerned, every item Had dearly shown to whom the goods were supplied and the. accounts had neen certified by Messrs Haves and Thorn.

The secretary suggested that the large ■accounts already paid should be sent to this commitico' for perusal, as mese might be of value in dealing with subsequent claims.

Mr nines suggested that as Uv as possible (he names of the persons to whom goods were supplied should be fhown on the accounts. Mr Mitchell stated that mortgagors of lite Stale Advances Oflice and the Lands Depaitment would receive preferential treatment in the matter ot loans re-.

quired to repair earthquake damage. The meeting adjourned to 1.30 p.m., wlien the .same members were present. Mr Itait moved that tlie Nelson Committee be asked wljnt amount of the £2OOO temporary relict fund for restoration of homes was still unexpended; ulso that thu balance of the- money \>a transferred to this committee to be u.se.W in tjio w<>i'k qfl further temporary -.aid immediate, relief jn the outlying Jistiriiis u, view o£ thft li&c.t that Mi' iStruie/M' would finish up mi 2,nJ August. 'lTie. (no lion was .seconded by .Air liadcocjs and t airied. Mr MeConochie moved that the sceivl.aiy communicate with the. Prime Minister with regard to a telegram forwarded in connection wit 11 arrangements tor settlers whose farms were totally or partially destroyed and asking if the finall,or had been. loverlookcd. Mr Hodgson seeondwd I lio molitni, which was carried. The chairman moved that the Teiegraph Department bo asked to open telephonic communication between Mureliison and Inangahuu Junction immediately as it was understood the work could be completed within seven or eight.days. This was seconded by Mr MeConochie and carried. Mr Hodgson referred tu the work of restoration of homes in outlying by the Public Works Department. He .suggested that local business people be given an opportunity to quote for supplies. Mr MeConochie moved that the Publie Works Department be asked to give the local business people an opportunity to quote for supplies. Mr Lynch seconded the motion, which was adopted. Mr Rait moved, Mr MeConochie seconded and it was decided that the Central Committee be notified that this committee, is prepared to deal direct with that committee- as soon as the latter deems it expedient to have the business dealt with ill this way. Mr Lynch referred to work do*ie under Mr Stringer's supervision. ' lie thought it would be helpful to this committee if the expenditure in each case were known to this committee when dealing with applications for relief.

Mr Hodgson moved that the Nelson Committee be asked for this information for the purpose indicated. Mr Bartlett seconded the motion, which was carried.

A letter from the Commissioner of Crown Lands re applications for relief was referred to Mr Waters.

An account from H. Norriss for tank and erection was referred to Mr Stringer and the. committee recommended payment, on his approval.