CHECK MADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26622, 19 November 1947, Page 4

CHECK MADE

TRAGIC PARADE MANY STILL DAZED RELATIVES AWAIT NEWS P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 18. While hundreds of anxious people waited outside in Cashel street, the employees of Ballantyne’s responding to a radio appeal, assembled in King Edward Barracks this evening, so that a check could be made of those missing. For more than an hour employees, many still dazed by their experience, kept coming into the barracks. At the same time, relatives who were seeking news of members of their families arrived, and stood in little groups talking in hushed voices or asking employees if they knew what had happened to husbands, wives, sons or daughters. By 8 p.m. 100 of the employees had assembled and were waiting for the checking to begin. The manager of the firm, Mr S. C. Novell, climbed on to an army truck and asked all the employees to form up beside their departmental heads on one side of the barracks. Then the departmental heads collected the names and addresses of all those who had not responded to the appeal _ to attend at the barracks. These lists were collected, and the departmental heads went with the managing director, Mr R. H. Ballantyne, and Mr Novell to a lecture room at the end of the barracks. Here the lists were checked and handed to the police. While the names and addresses were being taken, relatives of the missing showed signs of strain. One man, whose daughter was missing, kept moving round in the crowd asking if anyone had seen her. Finally a soldier led him away for attention. Members of the nursing division of the St. John Ambulance Association were on duty, and looked after several women who were almost on the point of collapse. The army canteen in the barracks was opened, and tea was provided for those who needed it. Before the employees left the barracks Mr Ballantyne briefly addressed them: “ Fellow workers, there is nothing I can say except to express sympathy for the most unfortunate happenings this afternoon.’’ He said the names and addresses of those persons who were not present had been given to the police who would make inquiries. Mr Ballantyne began to express sympathy for the relatives of the missing but his voice broke and he was inaudible for some time.

After the bulk of the employees had left the barracks there were still small groups discussing the fire or waiting in the hope that there might still be some news of those who were missing.