EARTHQUAKE LOSS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 69, 19 September 1932, Page 9

EARTHQUAKE LOSS

REQUEST FOR HELP

TO REHABILITATE WAIROA

•. FINANCIAL AID

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WATROA, 18th September. - , Earthquake tremors still continne at Wairqa. , The most severe since yesterday^ occurred at 1 o'clock this afternoon. It was a very heavy upward jolt, causing buildings to rattle and bells to ling, but no further damage is reported. Two. fairly serious shocks occurred this mornuig &t about 7 o'clock and 11 o'clock. Quite a long roll developed, gradually diminishing. In the intervals there were minor tremors, the' ground giving the feeling that it is on the move the whole time. Cracks in Marine . parade considerably widened to-day, probably due to shakes throughout the night. A portion of the main thoroughfare is now dangerous to traffic. Reliable information from the Waiatai Valley shows that the earthquake was felt there with immense intensity. Practically every homestead, either collapsed off its foundations or was structurally; damaged. It is feared that there has been a heavy loss of stock due; to slips, the animals having no chaijee of escape. For miles the fences are "ruined, and it is anticipated it will take months to replace them. Farmers •who set out to ride over their properties found it impossible. The flats and* hills abound with cracks -and subsidences, and thousands of tons of earth ■lave been displaced. Opouiti reports severe damage. The' occupants of one residence had a miraculous escape from death. Heavy beams crashed right across the floor. '« The back wall of a motor garage was torn away as if cut by a saw, but the three remaining walls are intact and ; give the impression that nothing had happened. ' ........ -; "■'■'- THE FIRE DANGER. ■ It was bitterly cold to-day, a southerly^ wind and intermittent showers making the position unenviable for those without chimneys, as fires cannot be lit. Owing to the lack of a water supply, an outbreak of fire with the present strong win<J would have disastrous results for the whole community. Every precaution is being taken to prevent an outbreak. Arrangements have been made for a trailer pump to bo sent from Auckland for the use of the local brigade, if "required. '. The telephone service is being restored rapidly,'and it is hoped to have all subscribers re-connected to-morrow. In order to'restore contact with the north of Wairoa, a cable was laid today under the river, and it is now only a matter of hours before Gisborne is re-connected. The scheme of Public Works officials for a temporary' water supply is well under way. This will necessitate sixinch pipes being laid.across the riverbed. The pipes, which are coming from Tawa Flat, commenced to arrive today^ and officials arid employees are sparing no effort to complete the work as quickly as possible. AH debris from damaged buildings 'on the Marine parade has now been cleared away, and business was conducted as usual last night, despite the fact that practically every plate-glass ■window has been smashed and the1 insides of the shops are in great confusion. : . ; NATIONAL APPEAL. ■ This*morning the Borough ;'Council and the Hospital Board held a lengthy Meeting.... The. Mayor, Mr. Harker, stated that the work of restoration was proceeding satisfactorily. There was_ no possible hope of the borough paying the Public Works Department for restoring the water»supply. This morning Mr. Harker telephoned the Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. G. , W. Forbes), placing the position before him, and asking that a national appeal for financial assistance be made. Mr. Forbes replied that the position would be considered wnen a detailed report of the losses was submitted.

Mr. Harker said he had informed the Prime Minister that- if he (Mr. Forbes) did not make a national appeal by to-morrow night the Mayor would make an appeal through, the newspapers. The request for. a report was ■ considered frivolous, as it would take weeks to -estimate the damage. This was impossible until every building, private dwelling, farm, road, and bridge was inspected by an expert. Proceeding, Mr. Harker stated that offers of help were arriving from all quarters. The food supply was plentiful, but what was wanted was pounds, shillings, and pence; Prom the outside buildings did not appear to be seriously damaged, but inside everything was strained badly and. would cost infinitely more to repair than, in 1931. The main street, he said, had subsided a number of inches toward the river. It was essential that the town' cither secure a suspension or a tein--1 porary! bridge of some nature. The ' bridge undoubtedly was the town's greatest setback; it would take at; least twelve months to replace the damiaged structure. "I am absolutely dissatisfied with the work of the Eehabilitation Committee appointed in 1931," Mr. Harker concluded, "and I hope a better system t of . controlling the funds and grants will be introduced." .Mr. Harker'a remarks were endorsed by .the whole meeting, especially in reference to a national appeal. DAMAGE TO HOSPITAL. Mr. Brewster, chairman of the Hospital Board, estimated the damage to the hospital building at over £2000. He admitted that there was no hope of securing one penny of rates this year owing to the immensity of the calamity. The town- and district were in a sad financial plight due to the latest visitation. Gifts of crockery and glassware of any description would be greatly appreciated, ■ and the various social organisations were already assisting in that direction. Messrs. D. M. Coleman and W. E. Barnard, M.P.'s, were present and expressed their sympathy with the town. They promised every assistance possible, ana assured tho meeting that they were confident the whole of the Labour Party and also a largo number of ether members of the House -would suport an. appeal 'for financial assistance. '-* The fact that at the present time ; the Government holds thousands of pounds of mortgages over property, re- , stored after the'l93l earthquake, and that those securities are now value- . less, adds further to the district's difficulties. It is considered that apart from the construction of the bridge over £50,000 —probably nearer £100,000 will be required to recondition the borough and county.