Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1942. THE TASK OF RESTORATION.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 June 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1942. THE TASK OF RESTORATION.

W H ’II full justification, and ample supporting evidence if it were needed, the Mayor (Mr Jordan) has denied vigorously an outside report that a panic was caused in Masterton by the earthquake of Wednesday night. Reports from all quarters demonstrate that nothing remotely resembling a panic occurred in any part of the wide district in which the worst effects of the disturbance were felt. Here and in other parts of the Wairarapa there was, of course, some natural alarm and excitement, but people did not lose their heads and many were quick to rally in organised and helpful service. A tribute is due not least from that standpoint to soldiers in district camps who have done invaluable work, not only in guarding and policing danger zones, but in removing shattered chimneys and other debris from damaged buildings. One way in which people who have benefited by these services might show their gratitude is by helping to ensure that there shall be no delay in carrying to a completion the very necessary improvements recently and somewhat belatedly put in hand in the camps in which soldiers are accommodated in this part of the country. There is no doubt that the people of the Wairarapa will take up in a spirit of practical resolution the task of makinggood the damage done by the earthquake. It is obvious’ that the task is one of great magnitude and that the problems entailed are very much more difficult in existing war conditions than they otherwise would have been. It is estimated that the cost of repairing damages in Masterton alone may amount to from £250,000 to £300,000 and perhaps even more. The total outlay ultimately involved throughout the Wairarapa, not to speak of other areas, will run into very big figures indeed. In some instances, too, individual and other owners of damaged properties will be faced by more or less serious difficulties in financing the cost of repairs. A satisfactory assurance has been given by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser), whose prompt personal visit and practical sympathy will be appreciated by all concerned, that in the matter of repairs and restoration, assistance will be given where it is needed. The Government (he said) through the local bodies, would provide the initial finance, and the question of repayment by those immediately concerned would be taken up later on similar lines to those adopted in connection with the Hawke’s Bay and Murchison earthquakes, There is no doubt that assistance will be needed, not only in the matter of making good damage to homes and other properties, but.by local bodies in whose areas extraordinary damage involving costly repairs has occurred. In these days of war, with extreme demands already made on available manpower and supplies of materials, the process of repair and restoration after the earthquake is bound to be lengthened out to a serious extent. There will be a call on patience as well as on enterprise. The general policy needed evidently is one of dealing with requirements methodically and equitably in their order of importance. In many instances partial and provisional repairs and temporary construction will have to suffice for the time being, and perhaps for a considerable time. These limitations are inevitable and must be accepted. At the same time there should be a firm determination to work from the outset, and to the greatest extent that is possible, towards better standards of earthquake resistance in buildings and other items of construction than have been set hitherto. Purely temporary and light construction is to be preferred to unsatisfactory repairs, and any work intended to last should be carried out in accordance with the lessons of experience to which some impressive additions were made on Wednesday night.