EARTHQUAKE AFTERMATH

Evening Star, Issue 20720, 17 February 1931, Page 8

EARTHQUAKE AFTERMATH

REFUGEE RELIEF BILLETING AT SATURATION POINT [Per United Press Association.] PALMERSTON N., February 17. In the course of a statement to the City Council last night, tho mayor (Mr Graham) said the whole cost of refugee relief in Palmerston North was being borne by the Central Relief Committee in Wellington. His aim was to have the camp at the show grounds evacuated within a fortnight. The race course was needed at the end of March, and the show grounds were under contract. Should these obligations have to be foregone there might be further expense for the Central Committee. For other reasons it was desirable that the show grounds should bo evacuated as soon as possible. Ablebodied refugees were needed for restoration work, but women had to be kept there for some time longer. As soon as houses were fit for occupation families would be drafted back. Tho mayor has received a telegram from the lied Cross, Wellington, stating that billeting there had _ reached saturation point, and advising the diversion of further refugees to other centres, where accommodation is available. SOUNDINGS ON COAST [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 17. Important work has been assigned to the Government lighthouse ship Matai, which is to carry out an extensive series of soundings in Hawke’s Bay to aid the Government geologists and other scientists in investigation of the causes and effects of the earthquake, and also for the guidance of shipping. HOSPITAL REPORTS PALMERSTON N„ February 17. No further cases from the earthquake area were admitted *to the Palmerston North Hospital yesterday. The following were discharged: Archibald_M‘Gregor (22 Vigor Brown street, Napier), Laurie_ Murphy (177 Hagborn street, Napier). The following were omitted from previous hospital lists: Jack M‘Connell (a child, admitted on the 9th from tho show grounds camp); Courtenay Wilson_ (a child, transfer from Napier Hospital). Tho following were admitted to Masterton Hospital, and the condition of all is satisfactory: Mrs Mary Tait, Twyford, Hastings; Mrs Nora O’Neill, 815 Churchill street, Hastings : Harold Marquard, 310 Queen street, Hastings; Alexander Clark, Arataki road, Havelock North; Raymond Leslie _ Kilford, Takapan; Mrs Theresa Cambridge, 512 Burnett street, Hastings; Margaret M‘Kenzie, 905 Willowpark road, Hastings. HAWERA, February 17. James Stevenson, eighty years, of Martinborough, one of twenty-two patients in Hawera Hospital from the earthquake area, died yesterday. Ho had suffered a dislocated shoulder, and was sent to Hawera from Palmerston North camp. The condition of James Pocock (sixty-two years), of the Old People’s Home, Napier, who suffered abrasions, is regarded as serious, ALL QUIET AT NAPIER [Per United Press Association.] NAPIER, February 17. Last night in Napier was fairly quiet, with an occasional shock, one of fair strength at about 10 o’clock. To-day is fine and sunny, the sea is calm, and there is little wind. There is still no sign of an epidemic. The Health Department is doing wonderful work in the inspection of promises and the connecting up of the sewerage, which is likely to be a lengthy business. Precautions are still being taken in the boiling of all water for drinking purposes. The cleaning up of all areas is proceeding apace. Already a considerable space on the Hyderabad and Taradale road corner has been filled up with spoil from the devastated area, unloaded from lorries. ‘ Tlie Daily Telegraph ’ commenced on Saturday with a. fouripago sheet, and is now publishing a daily in temporary quarters at the Vulcan Foundry.

LIGHT SHOCK AT TIMARU [Peb United Press Association.] TIMAIIU, February 17. A few minutes before midnight a slight earthquake was felt in Timaru. The houses were shaken, and in some cases the occupants were aroused from their sleep. Suspended lamps swung to and fro, and doors and windows rattled. CONCERT AT ANDERSON'S BAY Anderson’s Bay residents rose to the occasion in assisting earthquake sufferers by attending in large numbers the concert given in aid of the relief fund which was held last evening in Cameron Hall. As a result of this effort £ls will be added to the list. Those responsible for the organisation of the concert are deserving of much credit, also the performers, who were heartily received by the largo audience. Votes of thanks to various persons and organisations who had assisted in regard to the concert were moved by the chairman (the llov. G. H. Jupp), and carried by acclamation.

The Anderson’s Bay orchestra, under Mr James Clark, opened with a good rendering of the overture ‘ Ivanlxoe,’ which met with the full approval of the audience, and a recitation entitled ‘ In the Train,’ by Miss N. Glue, was equally well received. The solo, ‘ Till the Sands of the Desert Grow Cold,’ was sung with fine effect by Mr W. H. M’Kenzie, who was loudly applauded, and a dainty and graceful Italian dance by Miss B. Service was appreciated to the full. Miss M. M'Cormack was heard in a violin solo, ‘ The Shepherd Boy,’ which drew forth the admiration of the audience, while a happy atmosphere was created by the rendering of ‘ Eldorado,’ a short comedy sketch, by Misses Crow, Rollo, and Maden, and Mr Frye. The second half of the programme was opened by the orchestra’s rendtion of Suppo’s overture, ‘ Light Cavalry’ which was given with excellent emphasis, and the following item—a national dance by Miss N. Clements—demonstrated by its reception that the Scottish spirits of tho community have nob been entirely subdued. The beautiful ‘ Solveig’s Song,’- one ' of Grieg’s

most popular compositions, was sung by Miss Irene Horuiblow, who charmed her hearers with a musicianly interpretation, marked by clarity of tone and preciseness of phrasing. A humorous fragment, entitled ‘ Mrs Pinkerton’s Bonnet,’ was recited by Miss D. Clark, and met with a hearty reception, while evidence of careful preparation was displayed by the Anderson’s Bay Girl Guides iu an exhibition of drill. Miss Hay Stubbs was heard to excellent effect in the solo, ‘ Homeland,’ and the concluding item was a recitation by Mr J. D. Clark, ‘ Our Elocution Class.’ The accompanists were Miss Majorio M'Adam and Mr James Clark.