QUETTA ’QUAKE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 304, 7 October 1935, Page 3

QUETTA ’QUAKE

LETTER FROM MR HASKELL.

SOME ADMIRABLE RESCUE WORK A letter from the Rev. C. W. Haskell, of Karachi, India, and formerly of Ashburton, concerning the Qdetta earthquake on May 31, states that owing to the close connection between Karachi and Quetta— the destroyed city was one of the four main towns in the mission area of Sindh-Baluchis-tan—very many of the people there were known to Karachi workers. It was part of Mr Haskell’s work to visit the area, and lie had planned to go there in September. Workers were saddened to hear, after four days waiting, of the death of two lady missionaries and a Mission Sister, and severe injuries to others. While the Christians had a remarkable escape owing to their mode of life, there were many casualties. The Indian pastor lost liis wife, and has nine motherless children to care for. In another Christian family, four or five children have been bereft of both parents, and a great many other children haye lost one parent or both. “The Indian phurcli at Karachi has done its best to care for the refugees, and many were housed in the Church Missionary! oSciety’s .High School while the students were oh holiday,” continues the letter. There were to be many more refugees, as Quetta was to be evacuated as quiclfiy a 9 possible. Some were able to retrieve a portion of their goods, including bedding, and so needed only shelter and food. The military authorities had done splendid work in Quetta and their organisations of relief and rescue works had been so very admirable as to evoke praise even from those who are no lovers of the British Raj.

The only harsh note was struck by the local Congress members, who raised a storm of protest against the decision of the military authorities to allow outsiders into Quetta to salvage property. The decision, Mr Haskell says, was a wise one, however, as the supplying of food and water and other necessaries had been a difficult enough problem. Only doctors and nurses were allowed to enter. Even the clergy and mission workers had to content themselves with doing all they could for the refugees, who had to be rehabilitated as soon as possible. “It is unlikely that Qpetta will be rebuilt, and employment will have to be found for some thousands. The Church may be called upon to look after many and bereaved persons, and help from New Zealand will be very acceptable for its practical value, as well as forging another bond between this country and Sindh,” he concluded.