Minister Asks For Evidence On Slip

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29843, 8 June 1962, Page 16

Minister Asks For Evidence On Slip

(Nevi Zealand Pr«M AMoeiation)

NELSON. June 7. Evidence that the Tahuna Landslide had been caused by earthquake was called lor by the Minister in charge of the Earthquake and War Damage Commission (Mr Kinsella) whep he completed an inspection of the area this morning. He gave an assurance that the commission would give a sympathetic hearing to claims but said that it was bound by the terms of the act and had to act within the law.

The Minister urged residents affected by the landslide to lodge immediate claims and to lodge statements about the cause of the damage. The commission had called in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to make an examination of the area and bring down a report, Mr Kinsella said. Soil scientists and geologists would carry out an inspection. The commission would also engage an independent structural engineer to assess damage. Mr Kinsella said the commission could take no further action until it had received these expert reports. He expected it would be possibly three weeks at least before they became available.

“The commission will do everything possible within the law to help those affected

by the disaster,” Mr Kinsella told members of the Nelson City Council. “Our main difficulty is to substantiate the cause. Tie slip may or may not have been because of the earthquake." he said. “If it is through earthquake the claims can be given consideration. If it is not then slips are specifically excluded." said the Minister.

The Minister said some persons had taken out specific slip damage cover with the commission and these would be adjusted. It was more difficult in respect of those who were not insured in’ this way and it was necessary here to establish that they were caused by the earthquake. The Minister told the Mayor (Mr S. I. Russelh it would be three weeks or more before the experts’ report on the slip would become available.

He agreed with the Mayor that the council and citizens would have to wait until the investigation was made before the matter could be taken any further.