POSITION AT NAPIER

Hawera Star, Volume L, 6 February 1931, Page 9

POSITION AT NAPIER

REASSURING MESSAGE HOPED DEAD NOT EXCEED 100 O UTSIDE H ELF ~AF PR ECIATED. NAPIER, Feb. 6. Although there were three severe shakes last night, most people got a good rest, especially after 2.30, when there was an absence of anything but mild tremors till 7.30, when another violent shake startled the people. The town is now more safe, as far as falling debris is concerned

The organisation is working splendidly. There is plenty to eat at the camps. Most of tlic women and children have been evacuated, lessening the problem of possible disease. Water is available in fair quantities.

The assistance rendered by outsiders is wonderful and greatly appreciated. Many of the statements of an alarmist nature circulated in Wellington are not true. There is no confusion worth mentioning and the fatalities have been grossly exaggerated. Although a full clearance lias not been made, the burials total under 60 and it- is hoped that- not more than 41) bodies are yet to be recovered. Inquiring friends should not be anxious it no reply is received, even for 36 hours or more. Telegrams cannot be delivered and replies are held up by the traffic from those people who came to the telegraph office for possible telegrams. Conditions are non much better and organisation is providing food and clothing for all. Whilst supplies are plentiful it is not suggested that the flow should stop. “SEEMS LIKE WEEKS” RESIDENTS’ HAIR TURNING GREY HUGE MERCANTILE (LOSSES. WELLINGTON, Feb. 6. The Press Association agent at Napier says that after a night of wind anti rain and scores of shakes—three heavy—the weather is again line. Women and children by hundreds are being evacuated and many people will receive unexpected guests. It is considered best for health reasons to clear the town The military, naval ant) police forces are co-operating, but organisation is not apparent to any degree. The search for bodies continues throughout the city. The whole road, over a mile long, from Coote Road to Battery Road is under debris, in some cases 30 yards deep, reaching to the sea, and the numbers of people under this cannot be guessed. No attempt will be made to clear the road for some time. No further deaths are reported. This is being written just 48 hours since the shock, but it seems like weeks. The Mayor, who went through Messines, says that the .shambles had nothing on Napier. Many men and women are turning grey and all are in a state of anguish, many fearing that they have only been spared for a worse fate in the form of disease; hence the evacuation. AYNth the destruction of all Government offices, all lawyers’ offices and the banks, nothing but chaos stares all i'n the face. Owing to the lack of warning strongroom doors were left open and all deeds and securities have gone up in smoke. One office alone lost securities covering £3,603,600. The first shock was so sudden that all made for the open and when a return was made the open doors could not he closed, and tiie tire followed so closely oil the stunned people that all was lost, for those able to act naturally turned to helping the injured. ACTION IN PAHIATUA ACCOMMODATION OF REFUGEES. PAHIATUA, Feb. 6. A largely attended public meeting was presided over by the Mayor ; als-o women’s institutions. Excellent- organisations were arranged for the accommodation of refugees and also the forwarding of food and clothing. WELLINGTON, Feb. 6. Provision has been made at Wellington Hospital for 120 adult patients. Last) night 33 cases were received and 35 more were expected this afternoon. RELIEF RACE MEETING NEW PLYMOUTH DECISION. GOVERNMENT REMITS TAXATION NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 6. In reply to the Taranaki Jockey Club’s inquiry whether the Government would remit taxes on next week’s meeting, if it were held for the relict of earthquake sufferers, the Hon. P. A. de la PerrelJe advises that the Government will remit taxation subject to the following conditions: (1) Members and the general public alike to pay for admission. (2) No free privileges, such as luncheon. (3) No overhead charges to be made. (4) .If loss sustained by the club on holding the meeting, such loss to be borne by the club. (5) Audited balance-sheet to be furnished within a fortnight. The club unanimously decided this morning to agree to the conditions and the meeting will, therefore, lie held entirely for the relief funds. SYMPATHY AT HOME MANY UNSOLICITED DONATIONS. LONDON, Feb. 5. Sir Thomas Wilford has received personal letters of sympathy from Mr MacDonald, Ambassadors, High Oonrniis-missio-ners and also many unsolicited donations. Sir Thomas Wilford to-day talked with Mr Forbes on the wireless.

TEN SHOCKS IN 24 HOURS

RECORDINGS AT OBSERVATORY I WELLINGTON, Feb. 6. Shocks recorded at the Kelburn Observatory during the 24 hours till V o’clock this morning number 10. One at 8.58 p.m. was pronounced and. was felt locally. STERN MEASURES AT HASTINGS BUSINESS AREA PICKETED. TENSION WITH CIVILIANS. HASTINGS, 1* eh. 5. j Martial law, which has prevailed to all intents and purposes in Hastings since the earthquake, was doubly intensified this evening, when what was tantamount to a curfew order was issued by Major L. McGaffen on behalf of the military authorities. Picketing lias been carried out by civilians since Tuesday, and passes issued by the police and other responsible authorities. However, looting was discovered to-day and it- was decided to take a firm stand. All passes were cancelled and only those issued by Major McGaffin and Colonel Holder ness are now valid. Even these become useless „ between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. and no one at all is then allowed through the business area. To-night pickets are to be armed, and the town has been given to understand that no halfmeasures will be taken with offenders. Corners giving access to the main streets have been barricaded and pickets stationed at each. 'The new passes are issued only to those who intend to remove, salvage or inspect a building, and they are being issued sparingly. In spite of the good work done nv the pickets there is a certain amount of crowing tension between them and a section of townsfolk. Complaints have been made that some pickets, particularly young men, have been somewhat overbearing and that official restriction of civilians’ movements is unnecessarily strict. One picket was knocked out last night bv a man who was stopped and held 20 yards from his own gate after a , hard clay’s work among the reins. GISBORNE’S £IOOO RELIEF LIST HOSPITAL BO ARID DONATES £IOO. GISBORNE!. Feb. 6. The Cook Hospital Board lias voted £IOO to the earthquake relief fund. The “Herald” list exceeds. £IOOO. At the call of the military authorities, Cdlonei Gambrill, Major Muir and Captains Blackburn and Bongard have gone to Napier to assist control the situation. ACCOMMODATING REFUGEES OTAKT PREPARED FOR, 200. OTAKI, Feb. 6. A hurried meeting held last night, attended by nearly 300, decided xo ■supply accommodation for 200 refugees. People throughout the district are responding liberally. ARRANGEMENTS AT CARTERTON. CARTERTON, Feb. 6. A very largely attended meeting of Carter toil ladies'last night arranged to take 100 refugees. NEWS KEPT FROM PASSENGERS ACTION OF SHIP’S CAPTAIN. In order that passengers might not be unnecessary alarmed, Captain Kershaw, of the Mataroa, which arrived yesterday afternoon from Southampton. withheld knowledge of the earthquake until the vessel arrived in port. ADDITIONAL INJURED ADMISSIONS TO HOSPITAL. PALMERSTON N., Feb. 6Additional, admissions to the ia™-erst-oii North Hospital from the eaithquake area ' are : Mrs Elizabeth Bailey, Ha Mc\ aj Street, Napier, fractured femur; condition satisfactory. Mrs Alary Jane Bumble, shock; condition satisfactory. Cecil Laurence, Waghorn Street. Pahuriri. head injuries; serious. Miss Molly Roche, 74 Munro Street. Napier, concussion; condition satisfactory. Mrs Deborah Storey, 20 c Avenue Road. Hastings, fractured tibia, condition satisfactory. . Albert Stock, no address, leg injuries ; condition satisfactory. Airs Alary Watson, 207 Avenue Rd., Hastings; condition satisfactory. There is no material change in the number admitted yesterday. WELLINGTON, Feb. 6. Air C AA r Badelev, director of Robjoluis, Hindmarsh and Co. Napier, is reported as having died m the Wellington Hospital from a. fractured thigh. EVACUATION OF NAPIER NOT OFFICI ALLY ORDERED AIIN 1 STEPS EXPLAIN POSITION I)ANNE,VI RKEi, Feb. 0. In an official statement of the position in Napier, lions. Ei. A. Ransom and R. Alasters to-dav said to a “News” reporter, alter detailing tn e relief measures inaugurated by the Government: “The whole of the organisation is now working very smoothly and efficiently and in the main even \ provision has been made as far as is humanly possible for food and care oi the people in the stricken area. “We understand that announcements , have been made regarding the coinpulsory evacuation irom Napier and Has-j tings. That is contrary to fact, lor no, order has been given to the people <• leave Napier or Hastings, although it was felt desirable to get some of the. women and children away from Napier because the water supply and drainage system had failed. Evacuation, therefore. is optional, but a large number, of people were anxious to get away, as soon as possible because of the fear; of further disturbances, as minor; shakes and tremors were still being' experienced. j “The nosition in regard to Hastings is somewhat different, because the water supply and drainage there are] intact; therefore there Is no neeessity for the- people to leave Hastings. , W tin* people of Hastings in many cases were desirous of .returning to their homes, the Government Jins madearrangements for tents to be supplied to those who desired them and who could camp in many cases on their own properties. “On Wednesday night we provided 15!X) tents- to afford shelter for urgent cases in Napier, where the- people were camped on the beach. “The statement that martial law is in force at- Napier and Hastings is quite contrary Lo fact. Our organisation for the <xni trail of the situation at Napier is working very smoothly and a special committee, of which the ' ommissioner of Police is doing admirable work.”.

BACK COUNTRY SUFFERS

! RIVER. DAMMED BY LANDSLIDES DANGERS EG FLOOD. WELLINGTON, Feb. 6. The “Evening Post” representative in the earthquake area, reporting to his newspaper and to the Press Association, states that a boy discovered under the debris of the Technical College said, “Give us a drink.” This was his only remark when rescued from a living tomb. He then dashed off violently in search of liis parents. His name is not known. Eskdale Valley ffelt the shock fairly severely, but not to such an extent as Nap ier and Hastings. A number of residences were destroyed or damaged. The France Home for Boys, in which orphans received farm training, was almost completely demolished. The boys will probably be transferred ' to Auckland. At Taradale the Government electrical sub-station suffered greatly, though a ferro-eoncrete building. Three transformers, each weighing 20 tons, were thrown from their bases and damaged the insulators and overhead controls. This means that Mangahao, with Wellington and Auckland, will have to carry the load of the southern part of the island for a considerable time. The Wnikaremoana hydro-electric scheme is little affected. Though every chimney in the settlement fell, the transmission line istood. One tower came down at Pihanui, about 40 miles north of Napier, where the country is greatlv disturbed. It is suggested that possiblv the centre of the disturbance was located at or near Pihanui. Until the tower is repaired no power can be transinitte from Wnikaremoana, which is supplying Wairoa and Gisborne. A small amount of power being fed back from Mangahao to Napier and Hastings in Napier is being used for water pumning. No general water supply is possible. At Hastings the Diesel plant escaped damage and is being used for pumping. North of Napier the roads are in a very had state. A heavv slip on the Wairoa-Waikaremoann Road blocked the road and dammed hack the Waikaretabeke River for three miles. A great flood will sweep down should the earth dam break.

CHRISTCHURCH FINDS £IO,OOO £SOOO AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 0. The City Council increased its donation to the relief fund from £IOOO to £IO,OOO at an urgently summoned meeting this morning. Five thousand pounds is available immediately and the balance as required. The money will be provided from electricity reserve funds. Councillors Andrews and Sullivan, M.P., are leaving to-night for Hawke’s Bay.

REFUGEES ARRIVE BILLETING IN HAWERA. Mr. Rod Syme, of Hawera, arrived early this afternoon from Palmerston North with four former residents ol Napier, who are being accommodated at the home of Mr. L. O. Hooker. Mr. Syme reported to the Relief Committee at Hawera that a further party of nine was being brought to Hawera in (cars provided by the Manawatu Automobile Association. A report of the billeting committee stated that accommodation for 30!) in Hawera and the surrounding districts had been provided for. The Waimate West County Council is opening subscription lists at the County Office, Afanaia, and general stores' at Otakelio, Amon. Kapuni and Tnahn.