EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 August 1929, Page 10

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE

MORE AERIAL SURVEYS.

(Per Press Association.) WESTPORT, August 1. Captain Whitford, of the Marine Department, in a Moth plane, in. charge of Captain Buckley, made a survey of the steamer routes as far as Hikurangi Lighthouse. He saw nothing in the nature of a disturbance 01 the marine bottom nor in the nature of shoaling. Two further flights were made, both by Captain Buckley, accompanied by Corporal Smith. The first flight was from Seddonville, along the Glasgow Fault to the sea, numerous photos being taken en route. The second fight was over Mt. Rochfort to the Buller River, and over to Murchison via Lyell, where an inspection was made, and photos taken of the slips in the Matakitaki River causing the lake. The plane then left for Christchurch, but in the vicinity of the Lewis Saddle engine trouble developed, and the plane was steered for Reefton, and thence back to Westport. There the usual perfect landing was made. The engine will be overhauled in the morning, and if all right, the return flight to Christchurch will be made via Arthur’s Pass.

AUCKLAND’S GENEROSITY. (Special to ‘‘Star/’) AUCKLAND, August 2. The Auckland City Council’s donation to the earthquake relief funds was raised to £525 last evening, when a suggestion by Mayor G. Baildon that £420 should be added to the original contribution of £lO5 was agreed to. The Mayor said that when he was in Wellington attending the meeting of the Central Relief Committee, he became impressed with the necesisty of contributing to the funds as freely as possible. Auckland had really made a name for itself owing to the manner in which the people had responded to the appeal for funds. When the Council had voted £lO5 it was to give a fund a start, and he thought it was justified in giving £525. A suggestion by Cr J. R. Lundon that the donation be £lO5O failed to find any support.

Subscriptions received yesterday, plus the added donation from the Council, brought the total in the Mayor’s Fund to £12,703.

GREYMOUTH NORMAL. BOROUGH COUNCIL DISCUSSION. Opportunity was taken by Cr. R. J. Williams at the meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council last evening, to express the Council’s high appreciation of the splendid work done by the Earthquake Relief Committee, and especially by the Mayor, Air J. W. Greenslade, in his capacity as chairman, and by the Town Clerk, Air F. H. Denton. He added that it was very gratifying to note that Greymouth was recovering its normal condition rapidly, and trade was recovering, in fact, was increasing.

In acknowledgment the Mayor expressed his thanks for the motion, but mentioned that it should include the deputy-Mayor, Cr. J. B. Kent, and the other members. He paid tribute to the splendid efforts of the country members, and of the investigating committee, Messrs D. McKay and’W. Hill. The Mayor said that he would have an. opportunity later, of explaining the real position and of referring to the undue publicity which had been given to the amount of damage done. With regard to the so-called desperate conditions, there had been no loss of life and business was going on as usual. New business buildings and more residences were going up, while the coal and timber output was more than before, and had recently established a record. The wheels of industry in Greymouth were turning freely. Business and industry were being conducted as usual and he had thought that the time would be opportune a little later on to endeavour to have a Press Association message- despatched explaining the real state of affairs, that the people were not squealing, and that progress was going on as usual. The Earthquake Committee was endeavouring to finalise its business. Tie thought there were yet some who would find it difficult to bear the cost of repair, work, but who had refrained from making application, and if members of the Council knew of any such, cases, he hoped that notice of all of them would be sent in to the Committee before its next meeting. The Mayor felt proud to say that the charge Greymouth would be upon the Earthquake Relief Fund would be very small. When the work had been finalised, he proposed to let it be known what the people of Greymouth had done in overcoming the difficulties which had faced them, and to explain the real position, so that people would be able to come to the Coast without entertaining any fear.

PRIME MINISTER’S LETTER. The following letter has been received by the Mayor, Mr J. W. Greenslade, from the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Sir J. Ward: — “I have received from the Mayor of Mosgiel a remittance of £149/0/6 representing contributions received by the Mosgiel Borough Council for earthquake relief. The Mayor expressed the deepest sympathy of his Council and the citizens for all who have suffered through this national calamity. The lists are still open and the money coming in, which I lie Mayor trusts will be taken as a practical and tangible proof of the nynipathy of the people. Will you plouiio convoy this mqssuge to the siifforurn. I may add also that tlie Egmont County Council has passed a. rofioliition expressing the sincere sympathy of the Council with the miffcrorn from the earthquake.”

HAWKE’S BAY 'HELP. The “Hawke’s Bay Herald” han ndvised the Mayor that It has closed its fund in aid of the earthquake, sufferers and forwarded , a cheque which brought the total contribution from that source up to £157/16/8. It was requested .by the subscribers that the money sent forward be paid out immediately to the sufferers.