’Quakes Continue; Heavy Rain Falls

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 700, 27 June 1929, Page 1

’Quakes Continue; Heavy Rain Falls

REPAIR WORK HINDERED SETTLERS IN SAD PLIGHT Press Association WESTPORT, Today. Westport was subjected to three severe earthquakes, one at 10.30 last night and two this morning. No further damage is reported. Severe electrical disturbances are still taking place and heavy rain is hindering repair work. Residents of Corbyvale, on the road to Karamea, have decided to evacuate the district as soon as possible. At present the road to the settlement is completely demolished. Messrs. Thornton (secretary) and Leaper (architect) have just completed a tour of the schools in this district and noted for report to the department the work required at the dieffrent schools and residences. They have given instructions for the necessary work to be put in hand without delay. They have also made arrangements for the temporary accommodation of school classes in Westport. Some of the classes will assemble on Monday, but others not for another week. The Borough Council held special meetings tonight to consider the question of repairs to water mains. It was decided to order new pipes. GREYMOUTH SHAKEN ‘ FAMILIES IN DISTRESS MEASURES FOR RELIEF Press Association GREYMOUTH, Wednesday. A sharp earthquake causing renewed alarm occurred at 10.39 p.m., several vigorous shocks being felt. The relief committee tonight rereived about 160 application for relief. There being only about £SOO in the local funds available the committee limited grants to about £5 each for certain necessitous cases where widows and families lacked breadwinners. In cases of Government mortgages on houses it was decided to ask the i Government to capitalise the damage, j enabling it to he paid off in the same way as the mortgages. The majority of the applications came from Blackball. The Town Hall tower has to be pulled down and the walls at either end of the structure strengthened, according to the decision of an architect who today made an examination of the building. REFUGEES AT NELSON FULLY SEVEN” HUNDRED LABOUR LEADER’S VIEWS Press Association It is estimated that fully seven hundred Murchison refugees are now in Nelson. The Railway Department alone carried 522, and, in addition, many came in by motor, some going straight to personal friends. Everything possible is being done for the newcomers. The Hon. W. W. Snodgrass, who accompanied the Right Hon. T. G. Coates on his recent visit to Murchison. said today: “Mention should be made in connection with the splendid work that has been done at Murchison, of the efforts of Salvation Army Officer Captain Walker, of Reefton, and Mr. William Blom. Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Party, arrived in Nelson from Westport today. He interviewed Mr. Rogers, manager of the Anchor Line, regarding the possibility of continuing a passenger-cargo service to Westport. Later he had an opportunity of viewing the various structures in the main street damaged by the recent earthquake. Referring to the position in Westport and in the Buller district generally, Mr. Holland said a remarkable amount of cleaning up had been done. Every endeavour was being made to restore at least one fireplace in each home. Mr. Holland was or opinion that New Zealand would make a rapid recovery from the efTects of the disaster. The people of all localities affected were already demonstrating their capacity to overcome the widespread misfortune. d -

THE SUN Stop Press