MINISTERS LEAVE FOR WAIROA

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22333, 22 February 1938, Page 10

MINISTERS LEAVE FOR WAIROA

FUNERAL THIS MORNING

HON. R. SEMPLE CANCELS WEST COAST VISIT

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.J

WELLINGTON. February 21

The Public Works camp disaster in the North Island has caused a postponement of the proposed visit which the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) was to have paid to the West Coast and Canterbury. The Minister, with the Minister for Education (the Hon. P. Fraser), and the Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department (Mr John Wood) left to-day for the scene oi the tragedy to attend the funeral of some of the victims, which will be held to-morrow morning at Wairoa. Mr Semple will also inspect the site of the camp that was washed out and the general damage caused by flooding. Representatives of the Central Union of Workers will also attend the funeral. Mr Fraser is expected to be back in Wellington either on.Wednesday or Thursday. Mr Semple will return later and will leave immediately for Christchurch. In the meantime, he has had to cancel altogether the West Coast part of his proposed tour.

SCENE AT BOYD’S CAMP BODY OF DROWNED MAN STILL MISSING Lrmtaa AisoclATio* tblbobam.) GISBORNE, February 21. Boyd’s camp, near Gisborne, which was obliterated on Saturday morning, when seven married couples, with their 16 children, fled in their night attirfe to higher ground, is now merely an open paddock covered with heavy silt. Searchers are still looking for the body of William Robinson, who was drowned. . An appeal is being made in Gisborne for'clothes and food for the survivors, who lost all their possessions, their houses being smashed to pieces. ■ Eye-witnesses say that when the flood came Robinson was wearing a waterproof coat and gumboots and was the last to attempt to get to higher ground. His wife, who was a few yards in front, turned round to call to her husband when she saw a wall of water descend on him. SYMPATHY EXPRESSED MESSAGE FROM LORD AND LADY GALWAY

Expressions of condolence with the relatives of those who lost their lives in the flood at Kopuawhara are reported in Press Association messages from various parts of New Zealand. A message, of sympathy has been sent by the Governor-General (Lord Galway) and Lady Galway to the relatives of the victims. Tunnelers engaged on the railway deviation at Turakina ceased work for two hours yesterday as a mark of respect for the victims of the disaster, Outside workers observed two minutes’ silence. On the motion of the president (the Rev. P. Paris) the annual, conference of the Methodist Church of New Zealand carried a motion* of sympathy' with the relatives of the victims. Sympathy with the relatives of the victims was expressed for the citizens of Timaru in a telegram sent by the Mayor (Mr P. C. Vinnell) yesterday to the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple). SYMPATHY OF CHRISTCHURCH RAILWAY GUARDS Reference to the disaster at the No. 4 Railway Camp at Kopuawhara was made at a meeting of the Christchurch Guards’ Club. Members expressed sympathy with the relatives and friends of the victims.