DAMAGE BY SLIPS

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27794, 20 October 1955, Page 14

DAMAGE BY SLIPS

EARTHQUAKE FUND GIVES NO COVER (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. Oct. 19. Property owners did not generally know that they had to insure separately against damage by landslides, said Mr M. Moohan (Opposition, Petone), in the House of Representatives today, when discussing a select committee’s report on a petition that sought relief in a case where a landslide near Wellington had demolished a house and a section. The committee recommended that the Government consider most favourably allocating the petitioner a State house as soon as possible. Mr Moohan said that thousands of persons were under ‘he impression that the Earthquake and War Damage Fund would provide them with cover against such damage. Mr F. J. Kitts (Opposition, Wellington Central) said the time was ripe for an overhaul of the earthquake and war damage legislation. All local authorities, and particularly those in areas where there was steep country, should take greater precaution against permitting the building of houses on land liable to slip damage. Mr A. J. Davey (Government, Waimate) said that property owners should be made aware that specific cover against landslide damage was not contained in the earthquake and war damage legislation. He agreed that local authorities should take more care in issuing building permits. The fund could perhaps be made to cover certain damage, but he hoped before long that authority would be given for individual property owners to apply for assistance from the lund in cases of damage by landslide or slip.