MINISTERIAL TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 143, 21 June 1929, Page 10

MINISTERIAL TOUR

ADDRESS IN MURGHISON

GRATEFUL -TOWNSPEOPLE

(By Telegraph.^-Press Association.)

NELSON, This Day. The Hon. H. Atiriore", Minister of Education, Mr. G. C. Black, 'member, for Motueka,,and party are to-day touring ■ the Murchison: district, including the Matakitaki -Valley,, Buller Bridge, and other parts where damage has occurred. The party will:return to Nelson later in the day. The .officers of the Geological Survey, Messrs. Ferrar and Grange, are returning to Nelson to-day and proceed to Takaka to'-mor--row. ■ ' ' ; ' " ' . ;1 ' The Minister sends a reassuring message to the Murchisori "refugees in Nelson, stating • that' while there' were plenty of shakes last'night, that of 2.15 a.m. being the heaviest,' the' night was much quieter tlian oh the previous night. Mr. Atmpre: has dispatched a telegram to the Ministerl of Defence. The committee formed 'in Murchison last night passed a resolution thanking the Minister of; Defence for * his prompt attention to the request'Tfor cajnp material. News of reports from the;Kara,mea road have been received at Murehison. The Minister addressed a meet\ ing at Murchison last evening,- attended by fifty men arid five'- women. MrV Atmore assured the residents of .the Government's- earnestness to meet'the requirements of the. position The experiences of the past were,that such earthquakes were rare, arid-they could look forward to the future: with confidence. . . ' ■A citizens';committee.:was set up on

Mr. Atmore s suggestion, comprising, Messrs. H. Fraser,' B. E. 'Sm^.: W Huchmgs, H. Patterson, A. Thorn, and T. James. Resolutions , wore passed that the main highways,be restored as speedily. ;as. .possible; that the Public Works Department act with the Murehison County in restoring the country roads; that the Prime Minister be thanked, for. his message of' sympathy and offer- of relief; that the Minister of Defence be thanked for his prompt action in forwarding tents; and that the Mayors of Wellingtbn and Christchurch be thanked on behalf of citizens tor the donations for ■refugees in Nelson. Thanks were also forwarded to the Salvation Army in Nelson, Newman Bros, and staff for' the splendid way they had kept the service cars running, and Mr. Spiers and the drivers for maintaining lorry communication, .oplendi.d assistance had been given by the people of Nelson and the Railway Department, in every, way. • , Mr. Atmore said that his; party! was very pleased indeed to be present, and were simply carrying out the wishes of everyone in the district. in: sending all . the assistance possible.