ARRIVAL OF WARSHIPS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 6 February 1931, Page 7

ARRIVAL OF WARSHIPS

CLEARING' THE DEBRIS.

SHORTAGE! OF FOOD AND WATER.

it was «u.Q consolation for tho stricken inhabitants of Napier that# the weather was lino after the earthquake (states a 'special service message to •■The Dominion”). .Living' indoors was made quito impossible, and. the town ivpenb the night in tho open. After dark tho flames from the burning town east a flerco glow on to the kilts and reflected dimly upon small groups of people taking whatever shelter they could get below.. Tents were proceed along tho beach, but if a family had no suoh covering it was content to spread a mattress or two in front of tho house gate and sleep in the street, where falling debris could do no harm.. Tho public gardens were turned into a popular sleeping place, but for idle most part people wandered around the streets away from the main centre and gazed in dazed fashion upon the huge lire. Morning broke line and clear, and it was realised early that immediate precautions would have to be taken to provide food and water for thousands. Business was naturally at a complete standstill and there was not a shop of the few standing open. Being cut off from the world, as far as telegraphic communications were concerned, the majority of the people were anxious concerning the relief that would bo offered. as they wore powerless to do anything for themselves. _ Most of the households, many now pitifully reduced in number, had sufficient food for a morning meal, but the town’s water supply had failed and other services were no more to be had. One of the most urgent needs was medical and nursing assistance, and the town was gratified to learn at a fairly early hour that both the Government and) the Navy, as well as private individuals, were coming to their aid. Over 300 serious casualties had been admitted to the. Napier Park emergency dressing station at an early hour, and these wild require special attention.

Wireless communication was established with Wellington from the park in the morning and a largo number'of messages was transmitted. Valuable relief was afforded upon the arrival of a specially recruited Red Gross party, under Mr. V, H. Ross and Mr. Peterson. In addition, a party of about 20 nurses and six doctors, including Dr. ■ H. Watt, assistant-Dircctor-Gencral of Health, arrived from Wellington. Nurses also arrived from the Kensington Street Homo iu Wellington and from other parts of the province, while doctors came from all parts.

As tho day 'progressed the already apparent shortage of food gave promise of becoming more acute, and the shortage of water was! also making itself felt. Thero was no water at all to bo had in town for tho great majority, and only a very fow had any. Money was of no use at all in Napier to-day, as the necessities of life could not be bought, and everything else was at a standstill. It was thus a great relief for those on the waterfront to see the warships Diornedo and Dunedin arrive at a fairly early hour after a fast run down the coast from Auckland. With its usual quiet efficiency, tho Navy made its presence felt within a short time, in spite of the fact that those who landed had to bo brought into tho town by a circuitous route. Armed Marines made an appearance in the streets, and parties marched through' the wrecked town to prevent a recurrence of tho pillaging of the nio-ht before. Shortly after lorries appeared in tho town hearing the sign “Navy Food,” and it was not long after that bread and other things could be had. Even so, supplies were not excessive at first, and care had fco he taken in the rationing. The appearance of the naval ratings had a good effect in the town, and from the time they arrived the real organisation of relief work was started. However, much ground work bad already been done by the police, who received reinforcements from other districts, tho commissioner, Mr. W. G. Woklmann, coming through from Wellington overnight. Everything had been prepared by the warships for extreme emergencies. Lucidly, they were fully provisioned for a cruise, but before leaving Auckland everything in tho way of food available was' rushed on hoard. The bakers worked all night on the trip down the coast, and the carpenters were fully occupied making splints. A special class in stretcher work was taken on blio trip, and as soon as tho men landed

they were in a position to give immediate help. The average speed an tic run down was 24 knots, and as much as 28 knots was done. • Parties from the l boats were detailed to land stores, which, were brought ashore in great quantities. Other parties were detailed to dear away, debris from buildings nnder . which it was known people were buried. A start was made on the Technical School in the. afternoon, the latest information stating that 40 hoys were, buried beneath the ruins'Other parties of marines started! upon tiie demolition of the remnants of buildings to avoid further injury to people, and the - first blasting operations were started shortly after midday Still other parties were set upon art attepipt to re-establish telegraphic communications. Hugo quantities of medical supplies were to Napier by the warships. and it is bdlieved that almost everything that will be needed! in the meantime" has been secured as a result On board the Dunedin wore 12 doctors and several nurses, and the Diomede carried 10 nurses and about eight doctors from Auckland. By early iii"the afternoon tlie position as far as casualties were concerned) had been got in hand, and there was ample staff to cope with the work. It is hoped to take as many away as possible in the near future.' and the steamers- Taranaki and Northumberland were still standinrr off the shore in the afternoon in ease~tliey will be needed to transport serious cases to- either Wellington or Auckland. The sympathy of the Government for the sufferers was also shown by the early arrival in the stricken area of four members of tlio Cabinet tlie Hon. '* Masters, the Hon. J. G-. Cobbe, 'he Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, and the Hon. K. A. Hansom. They stated that a preliminary meeting of a small Government committee had! been held m Napier for the purpose of arranging relief, and they were able to assure the neople that the Government would do everythingi it could. Both Dominion "Motors' and General Motors offered t-lio use of as many cars and lorries as they could gather, and a number lias nfl ready arrived laden with provisions. _ The sympathy and isiipport. of the 'Wellington City Council has also beep offered to Napier. Members of Parliament who have already arrived in the area include Mr. li. Semple. Mr. W. Nash, rind Mr. P. Fraser, all of Wellington. The evacuation of the women and children from the area is one or the chief concerns at the moment.

Already hundreds have gone by private cars and it was expected that at least another 400 would be sent away n- to-night. It is fully realised that serious danger now exists throughout .the district through the complete loss of all sanitary arrangements, and every ’effort i« being made to avoid a second disaster. ... A special committee of Napier citizens has been formed- to avoid trouble "in this respect, and although both the 'newspaper offices are •shattered" an effort is being made by one to bring -out. a sheet merely for the purpose of issuing, instructions regarding sanitary arrangements. Further assistance m these matters will he given by military authorities, and 12 military lorries laden with blankets and stores are expected to- reach here to-niglit.