RAETIHI RELIEF FUNDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1920, Page 11

RAETIHI RELIEF FUNDS.

A SATISFACTORY REPORT. During .March, MIS, disastrous bush fires devastated large areas of country in the Kaetilii and adjoining districts. Ihe losses of stock and the destruction of improvements were so heavy that the Government had to come to the aid of the settlers. The public subscribed a sum of £14,000, and the (iovernment added a subsidy of £IO,OOO to relieve immediate necessities. These funds were used chiefly for the benefit of workers and township residents. The Government assisted the farmers in their tasks of reinstatement by raising a loan of .CiUjOOO, and lendnig this money in suitable sums. The subsidy and'the loan were provided at the suggestion of the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands, who himself made a personal examination of the devastated areas.

Mr. Guthrie stated recently that the confidence of the Government had not been misplaced, and that a relief fund was now available for unforeseen disasters, such as bush fires, floods and snowstorms. Of the loan moneys a total of £09,551 had been lent to settlers, and not only had the interest been paid in practically every ease, but the repayments already amounted to £15,323. The cash in the.Treasury at the end of last month was .-£21,774, of which £IO,OOO has been reinvested. Promissory notes for twelve months and two year's were taken to secure grass seed advances and mortgages for seven years to secure advances for stock and implements. It was anticipated tht many of the settlers would require an extension of time for the promissory notes falling due at the end of twelve months, but only fiftv settlers required such assistance. Sixteen settlers have,sold their holdings and repaid the advances made to them for grass seed, and six have repaid the advances on mortgage!