EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 264, 3 August 1929, Page 12

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

MEETING OF GENERAL COMMITTEE TOWARDS WINDING UP NATIONAL EMERGENCY FUND MOOTED A meeting of the Wellington committee for earthquake relief was held in the Mayor’s room at the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. The Mayor (Mr. G. H. Troup), who presided, said that the committee had not been called together very often, as there was no real necessity to da so, and the money was coming in nicely. He wished to thank all members for the way they had worked. It had been the best collecting campaign they had ever had in Wellington—a very pleasant business both to himself and his officers. As July drew to a close he thought that members would like to know how things were going, and he had had prepared an up-to-date statement of the results of the campaign, including that in the suburban districts, which had done very well indeed. Up to the present £19,740 ss. Id. had been paid Into the Mayor’s fund direct. In addition to that there was £2333 13s. 2d. from the “Post” and £455 Ils. from the “Dominion” (which had also gone through the Mayor’s fund), making a total of £22.529 9s. 3d. Again, in addition to that sum, a further £2OOO had been paid direct to the centra! fund, by Wellington houses and Individuals, so that Wellington should be credited with £24,529. As there were still a number, of small lists out —amongst them Hutt and Petone —he took it that £25.000 would be raised, which he thought was a very fine contribution. Expenses against this amounted to £26 15s. 6d., made up by £3 13s. 4d. for an extra typist, £lO 7s. for advertising in the “Post” and £lO 4s. 9d. for advertising In the “Dominion.” The amount of £22,529 had been paid Into the Treasury, and the Treasurer had expressed his appreciation at Wellington’s prompt action, which had seemed to establish a feeling of confidence throughout New' Zealand. A Provincial Comparison. Comparisons were sometimes helpful, sometimes odious, but the Mayor thought it would be interesting for members of committee to know whether Wellington had held - its own in the recent emergency. In Auckland the Mayor's fund had amounted to £12,268 16s. sd„ the “Herald's” list to £9557 15s. lid., and the “Star’s” to £2624 Is. 3d., which, roughly, meant £25,000, the same as Wellington. In Christchurch the Mayor’s fund had reached £9963 2s. Bd., and that of the “Press” £4477 15s. 5d., so that about £15,000 could be expected there. In Dunedin the Mayor’s list was, at the latest, £2084, but the “Otago Daily Times” had £6221 on its list, and the "Star” £484, so that £lO,OOO would be about-Dunedin’s quota. This made a grand total of £75.000 from the four centres. He thought that in addition they could reckon on £45.000 from the other cities and smaller towns, which would give a total of £125,000. Fine National Spirit. The Mayor said that he felt very grateful to all parties who had assisted and for the very fine result achieved. This was especially gratifying as the campaign followed so soon upon the appeal for the National Gallery and Dominion Museum (a fund which had now reached nearly £95,000). This showed that not only was there a fine civic spirit in Wellington, but there was also an inspiring national spirit, for of all the money subscribed Wellington would not get a penny. It was all to go to the afflicted area in the South Island, which showed that the Dominion was thinking in terms of New Zealand as a whole. That was evident when it was shown that most of the money for relief was coming from the North Island. (Applause.) Sir John Luke said that all citizens would appreciate very highly the service which had been put into the campaign. The result was a compliment to the people of Wellington, and was the best evidence possible of the feelings of the people of New Zealand, who had so spontaneously and generously answered the call to succour those In distress. In his opinion the success of the campaign was largely due to the happy spirit of co-operation which existed between the Mayor and the citizens. (Hear, hear.) It was a very fine, record indeed Scrappy Information. In answer to a charge by Captain Hale-Munro, that the news about the distribution of the money was of a “scrappy” nature, the Mayor recounted the process of setting up the Centra) Committee in Wellington, and how, at his suggestion, a questionnaire had been drawn up which had to be filled in by all applicants for relief This detailed the applicant’s name and address, his property and its nature, his financial resources, insurances, etc,, the natur" of assistance required, data as to mortgages, mortgagees, salary, number of family, and if a loan were required state amount and nature of security. This questionnaire was approved by the local committees, and no objection had been macle to it by applicants. It was the proper thing to be done to safeguard the moneys subscribed by the public. There had been a declaration attached to the form, which had been objected to. This had been submitted to him, and he had expressed the view that it was unnecessary. and had told the people concerned to Inform Sir Joseph Ward to that effect. Sir Joseph had coincided In the view that the declaration was unnecessary. Of course, a good deal of the work had fallen on the local committees, and since he had met Messrs. McLean. Stewart, and Fraser, the county chairmen concerned, men >f a type which had impressed him. he could assure the committee that the funds were in absolutely safe hands. There had been no delay in making grants for immediate necessities up to £5O to every residence in need of repair. Mr. Nash asked if any idea had been formed yet as to the amount of money that would bo required. Mr. Troup said that so far they had been busy attending to necessitous cases, in rebuilding the houses, and keeping up food supplies. The amount needed might be £120,000 or £240.000. Who could say? Mr. P. Hoskins: You mentioned loans would they be from the fund or the Government? The Mayor: They would be from one of the Government lending institutions. A National Emergency Fund. Mr. .1. W. Wallace thought it would be a good idea if a weekly or fortnight-

ly statement were issued by the Central Committee as to the activities. He thought the public would be more satisfied If they knew that their money was doing immediate good. It would be a great satisfaction to know that those in need were being helped. Mr. Troup promised to bring the matter before the commltee. Mr. Wallace also proposed that there should be established something in the nature of a national emergency fund, so that anything over from this fund or any other fund of a like nature could be paid into the national fund, and Invested by the Public Trustee. He thought the Central Committee might consider the proposal, and he moved in that direction. Mr. W. S. Wilson seconded the motion. Mr. John Myers said he had in mind something in the nature of a national insurance fund against earthquake disaster, the accumulation of a fund —he mentioned £5,000.000 —which would be available to reinstate any district suffering from earthquakes. The chairman said that such a scheme could only be brought about by comnulsory contribution. Mr. Wallace said that was not his idea at all—he only meant that surplus funds left over when all claims had been settled might be put into one fund that would be kept as a stand-by for the next calmity, be it fire, flood, or earthquake. The motion was carried. District Returns. The chairman said that he thought members would be interested to learn how the suburban district returns had resulted. They were as follow: —

In reporting for Lyall Bay Mr. Sherwood said that the two surf clubs and the Boy Scouts had pretty well scoured the district. They were to hold a meeting next week to clear everything up. He was certain that they would be able to hand over something between £l5O and £l6O. He paid a tribute to Mr. R. H. Ockenden, uroprieter of the local hall, who on every occasion give the use of the hall free, and bought tickets for the entertainments as well.

Mr. W. Nash drew attention to the fact that there were no returns from Brooklyn and Miramar. The chairman said that these districts had been left to the branch associations of the Civic League. Mr. J. N. Wallace (president of the league) said there was no such branch to get into touch with at Brooklyn, but there was a very live one at Miramar, which had been notified, apparently without result. He could offer no excuse.

Mr. W. G. Neilson suggested that Mr. Nash might canvass Brooklyn, but the task was definitely declined. Mr. Nash read a report from Mr. W. F. Cuthbertson, which showed that £1756 had been collected in No. 2 city area —Victoria and Wakefield Streets, and thereabouts. He said it had been a wonderful district to canvass. They had only met with one refusal throughout the campaign. THE CENTRAL FUND

Amounts received by the Prime Minister for the Central Relief Fund are as under:—

MAYOR’S LIST NEARING £20,000 COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS’ CONTRIBUTION. The latest donations to the Mayor’s fund for earthquake relief are as follow: — Members Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association, £287 13s. (id. Proceeds guessing competition Wimer Show, per Mesdames Elliott, Angus, and Fraser, and Misses Willis and Headifen, £l5 ss. Methodist Churches: Johnsonville £5 65., Piimmerton £2 Is., Tawa Flat £1 IDs., Porirua 165.; total, £9 13s. Mary O’Neill, £10; Edmund Anscombe, £5 55.; The Electrical Supplies, £5 55.; crew s.s. Progress, £4 55.; Mrs. H. Brown, £2 2s. Gd.; Mrs. Earnshaw, £1; Trinity Methodist Y.M. Bible Class, £2; W. 11. Atack, £2 25.; Hataltai Ratepayers’ Association, £2 18s. Gd.; L. J. Brabin, £1 is.; per Red Cross Society: Junior Red Cross Circle Standard VI, Hawera School, £1; "A Couple,” £2; E.M.S., Island Bay, £2; Wm. Fink, £1; "Arrears,” £2 25.; M.H.K., 10s. Proceeds Massed Bands’ Performance, Basin Reserve, July 28, £125 175.; proceeds “Hinemoa,” Wellington Harmonic Society. £57; Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Particular Council of Wellington, £2O; Juvenile Good Templars of Wellington, per Mrs. F. Symington, £G 125.; Chinese Nationalist Party, £6 10s.: staff Central Agency, Ltd.. £2 125.; Max Turner and Jack Williamson, 65.; precedes Wrestling Tournament, Town Hall, £l4 155.; Sports. Government Printing Office. £1 Bs. 9d.; Miss A. B. Cruickshank. £1 Is.; Island Bay Effort (Croquet Club), ss. Staffs, Citv Engineer's Department: City Engineer’s office, £lB 125.; Street Paving Loan, £4 16s. Gd.; No. 2 Dist., £2 165.; 3 District. £ll 135.; Drainage. £8 18s. Gd.; House Refuge and Street Cleansing, £5 125.; Corporation Yard. £2 95.; Drainage Pnntplng Station and Refuse Destructor. £5 Is.; Waterworks, £6 2s.— £66. Per Mrs. R. A. Wright—D. R. Coy, £1: David O. McClay, £2; G. and T. Young, £2 25.; Sympathy, 10s. Seatoun Presbyterian Chureh, £ll Ils. 4d. V 1 The Mayor's Fund has now reached £19.823 Bs.’ sd. HELP FROM FIJI

The following cablegram lias been received from the Acting-Governor of Fiji: “This Government is desirous of donating £250 to the earthquake fund as a mark of sympathy with the Dominion and with those who have suffered by the calamity.’’ A suitable reply has been sent by the Prime-Minister (Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward).

As a result of the “All-Maori” programme, including Alfred Hill’s “Hinemoa,” given on July 13 lust, the Wellington Harmonic Society has been able to hand over to tlie Mayor’s earthquake relief fond the turn of £57. The society desires to thank all who by their willing assistance made this result possible.

£ 8. d. Island Bay 100 15 8 Karori .123 11 6 Wadestown ............... 102 7 2 Ngaio 0 0 lioseneath and Oriental Bay 60 1 1 Northland 54 18 6 Melrose 30 15 6 Seatoun 24 4 6 Hataitai 27 6 7 Lyall Bay 150 0 0 Houghton Bay 1 0 6 Plimmerton i o 4 6 Eastbourne 41 2 0 Wainui-o-mata 24 3 0 Porirua 23 6 6

£ s. d. Previously acknowledged . 86,229 11 3 Residents of Rangiwahia District, Rangawahia, via Feilding 131 7 6 Staff Borstal Institution, Invercargill 7 14 6 Mr. P. J. Sheridan, Te Arolia 1 0 0 Staff H.M. Customs, Wanganui 1 1 0 The Mayor of Wellington 115 10 0 “Northern Advocate,” Whangarei 111 9 4 Staff Native Trust Office, Wellington 3 19 6 Total to August 2 .. 86,601 13 1