TO HELP STRICKEN

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 112, 5 February 1931, Page 10

TO HELP STRICKEN

Districts Prepare RELIEF MEASURES Food Being Dispatched Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, February 4. Provided that the necessary transport is available, it is expected that in the vicinity of 5000 women and children refugees will arrive in Palmerston North early this evening, and in response to an appeal for assistance in this connection Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., convened a special meeting, at which Messrs. J. Linklater, M.P., J. R. Hardie, town elerk, A. H. Shelton, chief postmaster, C. Louisson, president of the Manawatu Racing Club, and R. J. Hughes, city engineer, were present. Mr. Nash reported that authority had been received for the utilisation of the Manawatu show-grounds buildings, and that the Speedways meeting, to have been held to-night, had been postponed to enable the committee to accommodate refugees. The Manawatu Racing Club, through Mr. Louisson, showed its eagerness to assist by offering what facilities were available at the racecourse at Awapuni, including the use of the tea kiosk as sleeping quarters for 100 persons. It was reported that arrangements had already been made to send 2000 loaves of bread to Napier, the request for additional constables had been considered, and the city engineer was instructed to dispatch a lorry load of benzine for use in relief work on the East Coast.

An offer to provide accommodation for 1000 people in tents at Napier was received from Dahls, Ltd. The Manawatu Automobile Association reported that they were arranging transport fron? Palmerston North in connection with relief.

A number of City Council employees have been instructed to proceed to Hastings, while eight employees of the Mana-watu-Oroua Power Board are also to proceed to the stricken area to reconnect the power lines. The Prime Minister, Hon. G. W. Forbes, was communicated with on the question of relief organisation, and he undertook to issue instructions for the forwarding of all available military blankets and bedding for arrival at Palmerston North at 5 p.m., to be provided to the refugees. Hotels are being approached for the loan of blankets and bedding for the same purpose. Hospital Board’s Offer. At the Palmerston Hospital, accommodation has been arranged for 50 people, and it is expected that at least this number will arrive by train some time today. If necessaryl, further accommodation will be found at the Otaki Hospital. All the nurses that could be spared from the Palmerston North Hospital have already been dispatched to the East Coast, while several nurses who are at present on leave have been recalled. The cases that will be accommodated at the Palmerston North Hospital will be the most serious cases, the others will be sent on to the Wellington Hospital. CITIZENS TO MEET Wellington Measures PRACTICAL SYMPATHY A remarkable response was received by the women’s division of the Farmers’ Unio.n following an appeal it broadcast yesterday morning asking its members at the south end of the North Island to accommodate as many as the homeless as possible. Within an hour of making the appeal telegrams were received by the headquarters of the union from all parts.. The Mayor, Mr. G. A. Troup, has called a meeting for 11 a.m. to-day at the City Council Chamber to consider what measures shall be taken for the relief of the sufferers by the earthquake in the Hawke’s Bay district, and chiefly in Hastings and Napier. The Red Cross has arranged for the accommodation in Wellington of 164 adults and 87 children. An offer has been made of twelve to thirty furnished houses in Stokes’s Valley. Advice was received by the headquarters of the Red Cross Society that the medical and nursing aid was sufficient for the need, but clothes, foodstuff and blankets were required. An appeal was broadcast accordingly and throughout yesterday there was a constant supply. Through the co-operation of the Automobile Association 109 cars fully loaded were dispatched to Napier and Hastings. The articles included 160 mattresses, 126 blankets, three bedsteads, 160 pillows, 90, parcels containing foodstuffs and clothing, medical necessities to the value of £5O. three large quantities of bread and £75 worth of groceries donated by the Precision Engineering Company, three stretchers, one X-ray apparatus. Irvine Stevenson donated £5O of preserved meat and a similar amount was donated by the Gear Meat. Company. The society is open to subscriptions and the sum of £67 has been received. Commissioner Cunningham has requested “The Dominion” *to make an appeal on behalf of the refugees who will soon be arriving from the stricken area. Those able to ■ contribute are requested to ring 49—240, or communicate with the commissioner at the headquarters, Cuba Street. A number of Salvation Army men and six nurses are already at Napier, and yesterday the Army dispatched eleven cars loaded with 1000 loaves of bread to meet the urgent need. The directors of the Colonial Motor Company Ltd., have placed at the disposal of the Government all possible facilities in the way of provision of fleets of motor-vehicles and trucks. Members of the staff of the Ford organisation have been drafted from all surrounding districts to give whatever assistance lies in their power. At a meeting of the Home Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand held on Tuesday evening it was arranged ■ that the Moderator and Home Missions Superintendent, the Right Rev. George Budd, should proceed immediately to Hawke’s Bay to investigate the situation and ascertain in what ways .the Church can render assistance. Mr Budd left yesterday morning. Prior to leaving, Mr. Budd dispatched n call to the ministers of the church throughout New Zealand, pointing out the urgency of the situation, and asking for immediate monetary assistance, to be forwarded to the general’ treasurer, P.O. Box 573, Wellington. At a meeting called by the Rev. F. H. Wilkinson, Moderator of Wellington Presbytery, yesterday morning, the following resolutions were carried:— Hospitality: Anyone able to offer hospitality in their homes to- refugees who may be arriving in Wellington, are requested to communicate with their ministers immediately. or with the Presbyterian Social Service Association, telephone 42—805. Clothing and bedding are urgently needed and may be sent in to either the Presbyterian Social Service Association, 114

’the Terrace, or the Red Cross Society, 63 Dixon Street.

All New Zealand ex-service men wilting to assist, if necessary, with casualties arrivir- from the earthquake area are requested bo register their names

with Mr. L. Williams. 124 Lambton Quay, telephone 41—185. The Harbour Board yesterday morning offered asistance to the Health Department, and twelve Harbour Board employees who had Red Cross training, in some cases during the war years, left Wellington at 11.11) a.m. for Napier with a ton truck, loaded with provisions and ambulance gear, and two private cars. Collecting Depots Red Cross depots for receiving clothes and food are as follow: — Island Bay: Mrs. Crump, 259 The Parade; Mrs. Lind. 128 The Parade. Khandallah: Mrs. Moyes, tel. 36—648. er. of Everest and Danger Road. Northland: ■Mrs. R. Belman, tel. 26 —667, will pick up and deliver any contribution. Petone: McEwan and Carter. Lower Hutt: Cunningham Carrying Co. Heretaunga: Mrs. lilane, 46—878, will pick up and deliver any contribution. Seatoun: Mr. McFarlane, carrier. Miramar: 11. Fitzsimons. 2* Darlington Street; Mrs. Chegwln, tel. Lyall Bay: The Lyall Bay Service Station, 262 Queen’s Drive, tel. 17—163. Wadestown: W. T. Prince, tel. 42—615, 11 Cecil Road. KarorJ; J. Fugle, tol. 26—574.