EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE

Evening Star, Issue 21219, 28 September 1932, Page 2

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE

GISBORNE ESTIMATE £IOO,OOO DISAPPOINTING RESPONSE TO APPEAL [Per United Press Association.] GISBORNE, September 27. The people of Gisborne were given an unpleasant reminder to-day that the earthquakes have not ceased, a short, sharp shock being experienced at 4.20 p.m. and a slight shock at (3.18 p.m. With a view to seeking assistance from the people of New Zealand and from the Government in connection with the recent earthquakes a meeting of leading business men and citizens was held to-day, about 100 being present. The mayor (Mr D. W. Coleman, M.P.) presided. Mr Coleman said that many local residents had suffered serious losses as a result of the earthquakes, and never before had such a catastrophe overtaken the town. He was particularly struck when in Wellington to find there was a general impression that all the earthquake damage appeared to be about Wairoa, and there was little said about Gisborne. He did not wish to belittle the damage at Wairoa, but it seemed to him that people in other parts, especially Wellington, hardly realised that an earthquake had been felt at Gisborne. The people appeared to be of the opinion that if the earthquake was felt here it had not affected the town to any considerable extent. This attitude, of course, did not affect the Government, since an inspection of the affected area liad been ordered; but if Gisborne was to benefit from a national fund then it was necessary that the people in Wellington and other places should be advised of the true position locally. All present realised the serious consequences of earthquakes, and they would agree that Gisborne merited a just share of any relief offering. It was up to the people of Gisborne to let the rest of New Zealand know of their plight. Continuing, Mr Coleman emphasised that be particularly wished to impress on the people the necessity for doing something for themselves. A committee had been set up to deal with the replacement of chimneys and tanks so far as was possible. No money, however, was available from the Government, and the only funds at the disposal of the committee was the money provided by public subscription. With that limited finance, therefore, it was possible for the committee to assist any necessitous cases first. Until the committee knew what further funds would be available it could not extend its activity. The mayor's remarks were endorsed by Messrs Charles Matthews (chairman of the Cook County Council), H. E. Maude (deputy-mayor), and . leading citizens, and the following resolution was passed unanimously:—“That this meeting of business men and townspeople request that immediate financial assistance be granted by the Government to those who suffered loss by damage caused by, the recent earthquake, and that a committee be set up to gather the fullest information in regard to the losses.” A reliable estimate was given that tire amount was well over £IOO,OOO. The mayor said the time appeared fitting to urge that some form of national insurance against earthquake damage be instituted. He had mentioned the matter in the House, and the Prime Minister (Right Hon. G. W. Forbes) promised to look into it. .Today the earthquake insurance premiums were very heavy/ so heavy that many people had been forced to allow their policies to lapse, and were unprotected at the time of the present disaster. It was Gisborne’s turn to-day, but no one knew whose turn it would be to-mor-row.

Mr Alaude endorsed Air Coleman’s remarks. and said that the revenue from fire insurance was about £2,000,000 per annum, and 2$ per cent, was £50,000. If such a sum could be set aside annually, and if no earthquake disasters occurred for a few years a substantial capital could be built up quickly. A motion was carried to tbe effect that the time bad arrived when the Government should initiate some scheme of earthquake insurance whereby relief could be granted in the case of damage occurring.

WAIROA, September 27. The mayor (Air C. L. Darker) stated in an interview to-day that the greater part of New Zealand bad apparently forgotten that Wairoa bad recently bad a disastrous earthquake, as the response to tbe Prime Alinister’s appeal bad been most disappointing. Out of aj>proximately £BOO received in Wairoa so tar over £6OO bad come from Napier and Hastings, towns which could least afford it after the disaster of 1931. The residents of those towns, however, knew what a disaster of this kind meant. Alany of them had visited Wairoa since the earthquake, and personally inspected tbe plight of tho town and district.

The mayor further stated that unless really substantial assistance were forthcoming the position of the whole district would be most serious, and ho sincerely trusted that the rest of New Zealand would realise the position and come to the assistance of the stricken area. An exceptionally sharp shock, which was experienced at 4.20 this afternoon, caused much concern. It was of lengthy duration, but no further damage was reported. A second sharp jolt was felt at 6.15 p.m., hut it was not serious. ART UNION SUGGESTED GISBORNE, September 27. At a meeting of the borough council to-night it was decided that in view of the earthquake damage at the Cook Hospital, which was estimated at between £5,000 and £6,000, the council suggests to the Hospital Board that it should apply to the Minister of Internal Affairs for a permit to hold an art union to raise funds for repairs to the hospital.