KARAMEA SETTLERS

Otago Witness, Issue 4030, 9 June 1931, Page 30

KARAMEA SETTLERS

LOSS FROM FLOODS SEQUEL TO THE EARTHQUAKE. WESTPORT, June 8. At a largely attended meeting of Karamea settlers, addressed by Mr G. C. Black, M.P., and Mr W. H. M'lntyre, M.L.C., relative to the damage in the district from floods as a sequel to the earthquake, which raised the river channel, it was resolved—“ That this representative meeting of settlers of the Karamea district desires to represent to the Prime Minister the serious position of those settlers whose farms were so badly damaged by deposits of earthquake debris occasioned by the Easter flood of this year, and, further, to point out that as such damage was not suffered until April 3, 1931, it was not possible for any of such settlers to lodge claims in respect of this particular damage on or before July 28, 1930, which date was determined upon by the Central Earthquake Committee as the last on which applications for relief from the fund could be- lodged for consideration. In the circumstances this meeting confidently appeals to the Government to meet these cases out of the West Coast fund, as such damage can be attributed to the earthquake only, before any balance is transferred to the Hawke’s Bay account, as such consideration will be only in keeping with the spirit in which many contributors to the fund desired to help the West Coast stricken area; that in view of the fact that the Government, through the State Advances Office, is financially interested in many of the properties damaged by the recent deposits of earthquake debris, it should be requested to arrange for a comprehensive report to be obtained for the consideration of the State Advances Board by which the position of these affected settlers may be reviewed, and also that the Native Trustee, as administrator of the Native reserves affected, should be requested to assist in the matter.”