THE EARTHQUAKE

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19852, 13 February 1930, Page 10

THE EARTHQUAKE

LARGE SUM DISBURSED FOR RELIEF.

STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER (PBISS ASSOCIATION TSLEGRAM.) ROTORUA, February 12. The Prime Minister, as chairman of the Central Earthquake Committee, made the following statement, briefly indicating the progress of relief measures in connexion with the earthquake: — At the last meeting of the Central Earthquake Committee grants totalling 1 £51,432 8s Id for repair of earthquake damage were authorised. The committee previously authorised grants amounting to £.2420 14s Bd, so that the total authorities at the date of the last meeting of the committee were £53,853 2s 9d. An executive committee was appointed to deal with any other applications that might be received, and up to the present the executive has authorised grants amounting to £19,393 14s sd. Thus the total grants authorised by the Central Earthquake Committee for repair of earthquake damage to property, as distinct from expenditure connected with refugees, allowances to settlers on account of loss of access, and pensions for widows and dependents of persons killed during the earthquake, amount to £73,246 17s 2d. Applications for assistance are still being received from some of the district committees, and are being dealt with by the executive of the Central Committee, and in addition the executive is investigating complaints that have been made regarding the insufficiency of assistance already granted. When these matters are completed a meeting of the Central -Earthquake Committee will be held. In regard to those cases where settlers are unable, through lack of road access, to work their farms, the committee has authorised the payment of allowances until such time as road access is restored. Allowances amounting to approximately £BO a week are at present being | paid, and it is impossible at the moment to determine the total amount that will be required on this account. Concerning the question of assistance for widows and dependants of persons killed during the earthquake, the committee, at its last meeting, resolved to request the Commissioner of Pensions to investigate and report as to what provision would be reasonable to make out of the relief fund on this account. The report of the Commissioner will be considered at the next meeting of the committee. It is probable that approximately £20,000 will be required for the purpose of providing for widows and dependants of those who lost their lives as a result of the earthquake. The foregoing summary does not pror vide for the whole of the charges on the central fund, but covers only the authorities definitely' issued by the Central Committee. The fund has to meet the charges incidental to the caro of refugees from affected areas immediately following the disturbance. In addition to this authority was given for repairs up to £ls to be carried out in the Buller and Karamea districts, without reference to the Central Committee, and the total expenditure under these headings is at present uncertain. A full statement of the fund and commitments thereon will, however, be placed before the Central Committee at its next meeting.