EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 76, 31 March 1931, Page 11

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

COMMITTEE READY TO DISBAND

Tho opinion was exprossed at a meeting of tho ' Mayor's Earthquake Belief Committee to-day that the functions of the committee had come to an' end.- It was stated that only one further meeting would be necessary for the sub-committees to -present their aeequnts, after which, the committee could disband.

The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) stated J that it was not anticipated that much money would have to bo kept in hand for contingencies. Of all the departments that had been controlled by the' committee, that supervising the giving of monetary assistance was the only one which was now operating.

It was stated by Captain Galloway (Bed Cross) that 2892 refugees had returned. There were at present in Wellington 848 Hastings refugees, and 2053 Napier refugees. It was'very difficult to arrive at reliable figures in regard to the number still in Wellington, becauso many had returned without notifying the committee.' It was probable that the number ho had mentioned might be reduced by a thousand. Wellington had billeted 5000 refugees, and, generally speaking, tho Hawkes Bay people had been appreciative of tho help given them. Commissioner Cunningh.am stated that the food depot was open for the last time yesterday. During tho weeks immediately following the disaster a hirgo amount of tho supplies had been given . free, but during recent weeks the committee had had to ;buy a considerable portion of their stores. In all, 12,700 people had been supplied. On behalf of the St. John- Ambulance Society, Dr. J; S. Elliott said that wholesale firms had been very generous in giving drugs and Other medical supplies, with the result that quite a valuable collection of material was now on hand, and would be available for public use.

,The Ladies' Committee reported that it had not spent its entire grant. :

Mr. Troup, in reviewing tho work of tho committee, paid a tributo to tho work of tho conveners, and to all. those who had helped in the work of i relief in any way. The way in which the . work, had been carried out, and the manner in which the committees had gone to work, wag marvellous. A hearty vote of thanks to all who had helped, moved by the Mayor and seconded by Mr. J. Myers, was carried. ' THE MAYOR'S WORK. A tributo was paid to tho Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) for his part in organising help in connection with tho j earthquake. • Mr. G. ShirtclifE said he thought that a hearty vote of thanks and appreciation should bo paid to Mr.. Troup. Ho had brought his faculty- of. leadership ■ and power 'to organise into operation, and as the Mayor of the city he had douo everything expected of him. No doubt the citizens did rally around him, but none tho less the work would have been much less efficient had it not been for his leadership. ■ , Mr. J. Myers also added his tribute, and a hearty voto of thanks was accorded the Mayor.