RESTORATION RESPONSIBILITY

Hawera Star, Volume L, 7 February 1931, Page 5

RESTORATION RESPONSIBILITY

/' HEROISM OF PRISONERS. 4. PLEA ON THEIR. BEHALF. HASTINGS, Feb. 0. The Latest of many current stories of heroism concerns the prisoners at the Napier gaol. They were engaged in work on Bluff Hill when the earthquake came. The hill collapsed and it was immediately seen that four of the prisoners had been buried. The others set to work to, rescue their comrades. Two were brought out alive and of the others one was dead and the other died of injuries. The men worked with tremendous energy. None made tne slightest attempt to escape. After their noble work was done they assembled quietly and were locked up again in their perilous position on the hill. A military officer who saw their work described it in terms of highest praise, and it is understood some plea on their behalf will be made to the Minister of Justice. MR. RANSOME’S STATEMENT. REHABILITATION OF SUFFERERS. PALMERSTON N., Feb. 6. Hons. J. G. Coates, E. A. flan some, and R. Masters to-day inspected the base camp at Palmerston North and the relief organisation, warm .praise coming rrom Mr. Itansome. Mr. Ransome is returning to Well-; . ington to confer with Mr. Forbes ns to Government action. Mr. Ransome said that H.M.S. Veronica is not actually stranded, but it is doubted whether she will be able to get out. The depth of water on the coast is continually changing. “I ' regard the whole- thing as a national ♦responsibility and loss to . the community so great that it is impossible V to expect their rehabilitation without PK. very generous financial assistance by flie Government. The amount depends upon Cabinet’s'-decision, but it will be sufficient with public- contributions to meet the case,” said the Minister. Donation from art union DECISION OF AERO CLUBS. BLENHEIM, Feb. 7. The Marlborough and Hawera Aero Clubs yesterday decided to’present the first £IOOO of the net profit from the Black Cat Art Union now being conducted to the earthquake relief fund. The ' Blenheim Borough Council has donated £IOO and the Awatere Borough Council £SO, and the Marlborough fund is growing steadily. Local headquarters for the Black Cat ' Art Union confirm the above message and state that all Hawke's Bay holders of tickets will participate in the draw, as the complete records from Napier have been recovered. LONDON LOAN SUGGESTION TO GOVERNMENT MR, POLSON’S VIEWS HAMILTON, Feb. G. , That the Government should immediately raise a loan on the London market to adequately cover earthquake relief was suggested by Mr W. J. Poison,- M.P., president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, speaking at a big •meeting of farmers at Matamata today.

It was, he said, impossible to state what sum was needed, but he thought a committee of trustees should be selected from prominent men's in Hawke’s Bay, with Government reprer, sentation, to go into the matter. The trustees should have the right to call • _ in harbour and other engineers, town planners, and financiers, to arrive at a plan and direct the proper expendi- - .ture of money. The motion whs carried unanimously. TROUBLE IN BAR POLICE EJECT PATRONS. ALL HOTELS CLOSED.

NAPIER, Feb. 6. One noticeable outcome of the earthquake is the complete closing of all hotels. Many in the towns were wrecked and subsequently burned, but others escaped with comparatively little damage. The one and only unpleasant incident reported occurred at the Royal Hotel, Napier, outside of which a. notice' was displayed l yesterday morningi announcing that- business would J>e carried on as usual. Within a- short time the public bar was full of people. It was realised that although nearly the whole of the town's stock of liquor had been destroyed, it would bo fatal to have liquor sold indiscriminately, and as a result a police sergeant and six constables went to the hotel and' ordered everyone to leave, and the 1 proprietor to close his doors, as others had done voluntarily for miles around. Many refused to go, and it is officially reported by the police that force hacl to be used to get those in the bar outside. Eventually the place was cleared. and the doors were closed

MISSING BOY REPORTED WANGANUI. Feb. G. T Eric Barker, a Hastings boy, who is »- • reported missing, is in Wanganui Hospital and progressing well from burns on his back.

State Financial Aid Declared Essential GENEROUS GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROMISED Demolition of Dangerous Wreckage Continuing Orderly Progress in Recovering the Dead ”1 regard the whole thing as a national responsibilty, ” said the Minister of Lands (Hon. E. A. Ransom) after an inspection of the districts affected by the earthquake. "The loss to the community is so great that it is impossible to expect their rehabilitation without very generous financial assistance by the Government. The amount depends upon Cabinet’s decision, but it will be sufficient with public contributions to meet the case.” In the meantime the work of clearing the ruins and attending to the dead and injured is well in hand. Hasty evacuation is no longer necessary, but all who wish to leave are being transported speedily. * The injured are beingcared for by a medical and relief organisation of remarkable size and efficiency. The dead are being found, identified and buried as expeditiously as possible. Sanitation is being restored.

SYMPATHY AT HOME CASH GIFTS FROM HOME WELLINGTON, Feb. G. Cables expressing sympathy have been received from the League of Nations, President Hoover, the Viceroy and Governor-General of India, the Governors of Western Australia and of Malta, and front private people and firms.

The Minister of Education has received a telegram from the principal of tlie Napier Technical School: ‘’Old school ruined; new school cracked, but upright; teachers safe. Up to date five pupils dead, many injured. Marines still clearing debris. Will report later details.’’

The Y.AI.C.A. is placing its secretaries into various centres of the stricken area. They will act as inquiry agents for the public and accept personal messages for relatives in the area and secure all available information concerning the whereabouts of missing and the condition of the injured. Official work of this nature is [ being done by the Public Service Com- . missioner, and this department is making available to the Y.M.C.A., on application, any information it may have. The Governor-General has received sympathy messages from Sir Archibald and Lady Weigall, formerly Governor of South Australia, and the Austin Motor Company, each forwarding £IGO. The annual conference of the B.M.A arranged for Gisborne has been abandoned. STORY FOR AUSTRALIA BROADOAST ACHIEVEMENT. A remarkable achievement in broadcasting was accomplished last evening at ten o’clock. New Zealand time, when a comprehensive account of the earthquake, given by Mr. John Bali, editor-announcer-of station 2YA, Wellington, through the trans-Tasman short-wave radio-telephone service, was re broadcast throughout Australia. At the request of "the general manager of the Australian Broadcasting Comapny and with the co-operation of the engineering officers of the G.P.O. Wellington, Mr. .Ball spoke for 15 minutes from the Chief Telegraph Engineer’s office at Wellington, dealing comprehensively with the salient features j of the earthquake and its consequences. Mr. Bali’s telephone was connected with the short-wave transmitter at Wellington, and his description was ucked up in Sydney, where’ it was relayed by landmines to the various Australian broadcast stations, which were linked up for the occasion. The stations which participated m this unique achievement were 2BL and 2FC, Sydney; 4QG, Brisbane; 3LO, Melbourne; and SCL, Adelaide. Immediately after the conclusion of the broadcast the technical officer of the Australian Postal Department advised the New Zealand engineers that the broadcast was a complete success, Mr. Bali’s voice being heard clearly from all the Australian stations, and there was practically no “fading” in the process of spanning the Tasman Sea.

ADMINISTRATION OF FUNDS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY. j ' WELLINGTON, Feb. C>. j Referring to the suggestion that the j Government should pay out in full all amounts donated for earthquake relief. Hon. G. W. Forbes gives an emphatic denial that the practice has been to withhold a portion of the funds donated for charitable relief to cover the costs of administration and to provide a sinking fund. The moneys donated in connection with the 1!>29 earthquake were preserved intact for relief purposes. No costs of Government administration were charged thereto and all civil servants engaged were given free. The question of a sinking fund did not arise. Contributors to the present fund could rest assured that the funds would be used entirely for the purpose for which they were donated. IDLE HANDS ! CONC ENTRATION SUGGESTED | TIMAR-U. Feb. 6. The “Timavu Post,” in an editorial, advocates- the cessation of many unnecessary works in progress, including roads and railways and the mobilisation of all available funds and labour in the reconstruction of the damaged area in Hawke’s Bay. The article says:-“To-day the energies of the people are being dissipated in many directions. Work is being found for unemployed, not localise the work is essential, but because it- is necessary to employ idle bands. In the face of disaster the position should be reconsidered. It would be in the truest interest of the Dominion and an example to the world were a halt called to the dissipation of labour on unnecessary and non-urgent works and to concentrate all energies and resonrees on the reconstruction of the desolated areas.”

ANAESTHETICS USED HASTINGS OPERATION CASES Major- operations and amputations were not performed at Hastings without anaesthetics, states a message from six doctors at the Hastings racecourse hospital. Every operation, case, either major or minor, had full surgical anaesthesia, either gas and oxygen or gas oxygen ether sequence.

, MORE BODIES RECOVERED j NAPIER AND HASTINGS LISTS. IDENTIFICATION DIFFICULTIES. WELLINGTON, Feb. G Steady progress is being made with the search for bodies in the ruins of Hastings. Six gangs are at work systematically clearing the debris from the business area. To-day eight bodies were recovered. Those identified are: Arthur L. Ryan, journalist, found in the post office lobby. Albert Goodnll, sign writer, near Grand Hotel. Mrs C. Ellis, near Cosy Theatre. Master L. Fredsherg, from Roach’s Limited. ; Miss Mabel Orr has been identified as one of the bodies recovered from Roach’s yesterday. Airs A. H. Wing, Chinese, and Airs Tuohy, Seddon Street, both previously reported killed, are alive. The body identified as Airs A. H. AVing is be-; lieved to be that of AT is McDonald. There are five bodies the identification of which is almost impossible. Four are female and the sex of the fifth is not ascertainable, though the body is believed to he that of ,T. Tonkin. whose death was vouched for yesterdav by Harold Roach. One of'the female bodies is believed to be that of Aliss Gladys Farmery, also an ernplovee of Roach’s Ltd. The police have received word from AVaipukurau that AV. Hunt, who was injured near the Trades Hall in Karani u Road. Hastings, and removed to AYaipukurau. has died. NAPIER’S ADDITIONS. The following additions have been made to the list of dead at Napier: Thomas Aleek, elderly, Wagliorne Street. Lloyd Rhodes, aged 15, son of Robert Rhodes, S Faraday Street, Technical School hoy. Alary Bollings, elderly woman, previously reported as Alargaret Patience, widow, of Hastings, was in hospital. Eleanor Dallison, aged 20; body taken to Palmerston North; killed in hospital. Airs T. H. Culshaw. Miss L. Culshaw. AHSSING. Aliss D. Alurcott, staff of Roach’s, Hastings i Afr R. Williamson.

DESOLATION AT THE PORT WHARF RENDERED USELESS. VERONICA MAY SAIL OUT. NAPIER, Feb. 5. Those who were on H..M.S. Veronica at the time of the earthquake -state that the shock was terrific. The bed of the harbour below the wharves rose and Dumped the bottom of the vessel several times. It is reported that several plates have been dented, but nothing serious occurred. The vessel bumped tlie wharf heavily and the plates on the side were also damaged slightly.

For some time after the shock the sloop was left high and dry, on one or two occasions the water rushing out and then coming back again. Finally, when the water subsided, t(ie vessel was left in enough water to float. She draws 25 feet, and there is believed to he enough water to get the boat out into the roadstead to-night if conditions are favourable in the harbour. it was not decided at once what berth the sloop would take. Finally she was placed at the upper, and it proved to be most fortunate that this was done, as the lower berth was completely wrecked. It dropped into the sea at the end, and the part nearer where the. Veronica is how lying has toppled over, and it lies at a precarious angle even where the sloop is berthed. The outer rim of the wharf lias broken away.

A.li along the wharf the concrete has been ripped up like paper, and great fissures are to be seen from one end to the other. Some are four feet deep where the ground is solid. The wharf has been rendered completely useless for all practical purposes at the moment, and if it will not have to be re-built entirely it will cost many thousands to make it safe. In every direction the port presents a scene of desolation. Buildings along the waterfront have been torn about and thrown on all sides. The tobacco premises are razed and several bodies are thought to -be in the ruins. Wool stores have disgorged hundreds of hales of wool on to the road and the stores of Williams and Kettle have been wrecked. Part of these has slipped into the harbour and the small wharf >n the front has disappeared. On the land side motor lorries have been caught in the wreckage. Roads at the port have been damaged and there are numerous wide cracks on the surfaces, some of them very deep. j The inner harbour bed has undergone a complete change. Those who were on the waterfront when the shock occurred stated that it was pro-! ceded by a terrific roar. When an in-, vestigation of the harbour was made, it was found that the upper part was without water and that it would not fill oven at high tide. Great, fiats extend oyer a wide area and the traffic bridge has broken at the port end. One of the sandflat 1 beacons has been tossed over at an j angle. The Battery Road lagoon lias also been raised and has become dry at i high tide.

RE-OPENING OF RAILWAY TRANSPORT OF REFUGEES. i WELLINGTON, Feb. (i. ! The Railway Department, in addition ! to having the line open to Napier, now las assembled suffieie.it roiling stock at, points adjacent to the town to ovaou- ! ate up to 20,000 people, if necessary, j within six hours. Fiftv bogie wagons 'end vans are also ready lor hosp.-tal 'purposes. Up to -he present stooping jcars have been used for casualties.

BURIED IN COMMON GRAVE

Shortly after 3 o’clock the funeral left the courthouse, Marine Parade. There were ho hearses followed by mourners. Instead, rough wooden coffins, some with names chalked on their tops, were loaded on to lorries and transported to tlie cemetery.

A number of private burials were carried out at the express wish of relatives, hut into the huge common grave 52 coffins were lowered and placed in orderly rows. The number of mourners was not large, owing to the fact that many people had left the town. Others were busy on relief work in the most seriously damaged areas. A small crowd of mourners stood with clergymen of all denominations around tlie edge of the grave. A few women broke down and wept, hut for tlie most part tlie mourners still wore the dazed, hopeless expression which has been noticed so frequently since the disaster. The burial service was conducted by ! ministers of the several denominations. The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, and Commodore ' Geoffrey Blake, represented the Gov-1 eminent and the Navy respectively. The burial of the dead lias not by any means been completed. Even while the combined funeral was being held to-da.v more bodies were being recovered from the ruins in the main business block and elsewhere. These were taken to the mortuary to be identified if possible, and later were placed in rough wooden coffins, which are being constructed literally by the score. The following is an official list of those buried in the common grave (a lotal of fifty-nine) : Airs. Haynes. Air. Smith. John Davidson. Air. Plank. Air. Bonnor. Airs. L. T. Bisson Air. Kyle. Aliss Bennett. Basher (schoolboy) John Stevens. Airs. F. Lenniban Airs. Burrows. Gliomas Aleek. uerreek Freedman. Airs. C. H. Bickerstaff. Airs. Blaekburne.

Elsie Keys. Rose Leverett. Air. Stead. Air. AlcArthur. Air. Rhodes. Air. Askwell. Airs. H. Voyc-e. Mrs. Ellison. Alexander Matson. L. Goldsmith. Airs. Skelton. -Martha Etheridge. R. Colin Heath. A 1 iss Alc-Kie. J. McCarthy. P. J. Pearson, r.tlwarcl Hansen. John Dwyer. iulward Colton. - Arthur Wilson. J. iH. Watson. .Michael C'uddeiey. t liaries Skinner. Jas. Saunders. ' Andrew Watson. Daniel Stewart. J. Rae. G. Brown. Private burials. F. Al. Boyd. Aliss Brown. Nurses E. Williams and instill. Air. Alitchelt. Ten unidentified. All able-bodied men have been appealed to for assistance in patrol work and clearing debris. All Is quiet and orderly and the organisation is working splendidly.

FATHER’S ANXIETY NO NEWS FROM DAUGHTER. INQUIRIES IN LONDON. LONDON, Feb. 6. Among scores of inquirers eoncern- ! ing the New Zealand earthquake was a member of the House of Commons, Major Graham Pole, Labour, who • is anxiously awaiting news of his youngest daughter, Mrs Norman Elder, who is living in Hawke’s Ray, three miles irem Hastings. ALARMIST REPORTS REFUTATION FROM NAPIER. HASTINGS, Feb. 0. The public hais been asked to give limited attention to alarmist reports that are being issued from some sources. Amongst some statements made is one that martial law has been established and t-lie curlew imposed upon the people of Hastings. This, statement is the rankest exaggeration. What has happened is that volunteers consisting of ex-territorials and ex-ser- j vice men have consented to- do patrol picket duty. The town is still governed by civil law and the curfew has not- been heard, unless by the person i from whom the report emulated. Inaccurate casualty lists also are being sent out. The list supplied to the Press Association may be taken as an official list and compiled under ! the strictest precautions. Even then if is not impossible that errors may occur. Nothing, however, in that list, is published without the sanction of , the police. 1 3 Looting has not even been feared and ' the only precautions taken in the way 'of guarding property are merely those that are usual on such occasions. The tool ice stat e officially that not a single instance of looting ha-s been reported. 1 The statement that the people are losing their nervo is to be treated carefully'. Naturally they are feeling some strain -but they will’ carry on as they are doing now, grimly and calmly and with wonderful courage.

PACIFIC’S FLOOR SINKING

POSSIBLE CAUSE OP ’QUAKE. OPT NT ON OP SYDNEY SCIENTIST. "SYDNEY, Pob. 5. Professor Sir Edgeworth David, the noted scientist, of Sydney, declared Hint the Pacific Ocean could be blamed for the New Zealand earthquake. The ocean, he said, was getting deeper and deeper and exerted such tremendous pressure on its abutments, New Zealand being one, that, reaching the straining point, they finally gave way. The slow subsidence of the floor of the Pacific was chiefly responsible for the upheavals in Japan, 'Manila and New Zealand. After the 1020 ’quakes some of the ' I pressure on the Ne wZealand coast was I relieved by a portion of the side giv- , ing way. That took off the great presjsure for the time being, bu it exposed I the east coast of the North Island to bigger pressure, and now that two had given way. Sir Edgeworth David illustrated this point by saying that when hundreds of miles of solid rock suddenly cracked owing to the ocean’s pressure it natur-, ally produced a terrific shock or disturbance. Thus after this occurred at Mlurchison, in the Nelson district, shifting the coast, a few yards westward, one could expect the South Island to get relief from such upheavals for possibly a considerable time, and that pressure would next be exerted in the North Island, as had happened with such disastrous consequences. lie desired to suggest to New Zealanders in future to adopt the ferroconcrete type of building which undoubtedly withstood earth shocks much better than other types. He had noticed this when in San Prancisco after the I£>o6 upheaval. I “My heart goes out to those who had relatives and friends trapped in Tuesday's shocking disaster and I have only the kindliest feelings for New Zealanders whose overwhelming hospitality to me during my visits there I shall never forget.” he said. HAVELOCK SUFFERS TRAFFIC BRIDGE WRECKED. STREAM LARGER THAN BEFORE. NAPIER, Feb. 6. Considerable damage has been caused, in Havelock North by the earthquake, and the most apparent work of the upheaval is to be seen in the vicinity of the traffic bridge giving access to Havelock North from Napier. This is completely down. It dropped from both ends, and the centre was thus allowed to crumble. A small foot bridge has been thrown across the bed of the stream bellow, but it will be some time before the bridge will be available for traffics again as, it will have to be completely reconstructed. The watermain on the side of the bridge was left suspended, and gangs -were employed this morning in erecting trestles beneath it to take the weight. The volume of water below the bridge has been increased, part of it coming from tlie Pokawahaka Lake and part being supplied by artesian water. For some distance on one side of the bridge, the steep banks above the water have broken away, leaving huge gaping cracks. Part of the bank has been thrust completely into the stream, and the grass sward is to be seen covered by water some distance from the new bank. The bank at one part subsided and took with it a forge shed, and other parts Have been torn away with trees and other growth. The township has suffered considerably, although naturally it is not to he compared with that _at Napier ond Hastings. One building was burning this morning a charge <of explosive having been put beneath it to avoid danger from overhanging [parts. The water supply has been cut off completely in the-meantime, although there is stated to be no serious shortage. The effects of the shock are to be seen in every direction throughout the 'stricken area. Dead stock are to to seen in some places, but it does not appear that loss in this direction has been severe in this part. Houses in and around Havelock have suffered in varying degrees, but most damage was done to chimneys only. ROADS TO DISTRICT CLOSED. .SETBACK FOR SIGHTSEERS. WELLINGTON, Feb. 7. Colonel Holuerness telegraphs to the Press Association from Hastings as follows: "No sightseers or other unauthorised traffic will be admitted to this district and sentries have closed the roads.*’ ONLY BY PERMIT BUSINESS AT HASTINGS. A message from Mr. Roach, Mayor of Hastings, states it is not correct, that business isi proceeding as usual there. There can be business only by special permit. The bulk of the food is commandeered.

LIST OF IDENTIFIED BODIES. NAPIER, Feb. G. There were distressing scenes in tlie Park island Cemetery when the combined funeral of identified and unidentified victims of the earthquake was held. The huge pit which was to serve as a grave could not be dug owing to the hardness of the ground. Consequently a party of men worked with explosives to prepare the last restingplace of many of those who had perished.

REFUGEES ARRIVE ALL NAPIER RESIDENTS PARTY OF 29 BULLETED. Twenty-nine Napier residents arrived in Ha-wera yesterday afternoon from the central relief camp, Palmerston North, transport to here being provided by members *ui the Manawatu Automobite Association and Mr R>. Syme. As the parties arrived tliey were met by the Relief Committee and after refreshments were provided were taken to their respective billets. The list is as follows: Mr Arthur Stowell, wife and three children, 19 Cameron Road, Napier—Care of Duckworth, beach cottage. Ohawe. . Mrs W. G. Lovell and Miss Muriel Lovell, 62 Chaucer Road, Napier. —Care of Mrs Adams, 62 Argyle Street, Hawera (’phono 2449). Mrs Florence Ansell and Miss Audrey Ansell, Kennedy Road, Napier.— (■are Mrs Allan, Wailii Ron<l, Hawera (’phone 28131). Mrs Reg Williamson and Rita and Douglas Williamson, 13 Gorrays Avenue, Napier.—Care Mr T. Kin moot, 1 George Street, Hawera (’phone 2079). Mrs ,L Grant and boy, 6 Vigor Brown St., Napier.—Care Mrs Thomas, sehoolhouse, South Road, Hawera (’phone 2075). Mr and Mrs Dobbins and baby, S Vigor Brown St., Napier.—Care Mrs Fyfe, Wailii Road. Hawera (’phone 2068). Mrs J’. Bar tie, 122 Nelson Crescent,, Napier, and Miss A. Bartle.— Care Mrs Haseltine, 65 Victoria Street, Hawera (’phone 2470). Airs Lampshire, 10 Kennedy Road, Napier.—Care Mrs Barkla, Victoria St., Hawera (’phone 2241). Airs Forsyth, 5 Rose St., Napier, also Eileen. A r iola and Winnie Forsyth; Airs Logan. 7 Rlose St., Napier, also Robbie. Douglas and Norman Logan and bnb.v. — Care Post Office, Ohawe Beach.

CONVEYANCE OF NURSES. RETURN FROM PATEA VISIT. Spending a short period oil leave, two nurses of the Napier Hospital who experienced the earthquake, but. escaped serious injury, arc the guests of Mr and Mrs A. N. Williams, of Patea. It is required that they should return to dutv at Napier during the week-end, said Mr Williams in conversation with a “Star’’ reporter, and an offer of conveyance by motorists who may be proceeding there would be appreciated. Messages may be left at 'phone do, Patea. '

j MINISTERS VISIT AREA I CALAMITY A NATIONAL \ RESPONSIBILITY.” j PALMERSTON N., Feb. 6. I Messrs. J. G. Coates, E. A. Ranhsoui and R. Masters to-day inspected the )>ase camp at Palmerston North and the relief organisation warm praise coming from Mr. Ransom. Mr. Ransom denied that martial law had been declared in the stricken area, strong committees had been formed, r lie evacuation of Napier was not demanded, but it was highly desirable tiiat people should) leave owing to the creak down of the sanitation system through the Jack of water. It was hoped to have the services restored soon. Pipes were functioning along the Marine Parade. The work of clearing the debris was undertaken by the Public Works Department. "The organisation at Napier- was wonderful,” said Mr. Ransom. ‘‘Great work was done at the base hospitals. The Veronica is not actually stranded, but it is doubtful whether it will be able to get out. The depth of water off the coast ls continually changing. I regard the whole thing as a national ■ responsibility. The losses to the com--1 munity are so great that it is impossible to expect their rehabilitation without very generous financal assistance bv the Government. The amount de-i pends upon Cabinet’s decision, but it) will be sufficient with public contributions to meet the case.” SONG) RECITAL ON MONDAY COMPLETE- ARRANGEMENTS MADE. So soon as - the news of the disaster reached Hawera Miss Constance Reilly and Mr Rlex Harrison, who had arranged to give a song recital in the Grand Theatre, generously decided to devote the proceeds to the fund for the relief of sufferers. They were freely supported by townspeople interested iu the effort and keen to help the fund. An excellent meeting was held on Thursday evening, over which the Mayoress (Mrs E. A. Pacey) presided and a committee was set up with Mr J. C.. Findlater as lion, secretary to further the good work. Miss Reilly is well and favourably known to everyone in the district as- a dramatic soprano whose singing never fails to appeal. She has chosen a number of the best isongs from her extensive repertoire. Mr Rex Harrison is known as one of the best baritone singers “on the air” in New Zealand and Australia and and lie has also given many successful recitals in the Australian cities. He has made a selection of numbers that will give him scope to show those qualities of voice and interpretation which have made him so popular-. Tickets distributed to members of the committee and also a large supply sent to the Main School, Mr J. Thomas, the headmaster, having arranged to get the children to help in selling them. Reports show that they are going off freely. The proprietors of the Grand Theatre have given the use of the hall free, Messrs EC Dixon and Co. the use of a piano, and the theatre staff have offered their services. Mrs Gibbs has undertaken to give the proceeds of sweets and ice-creams sold to the fund. ' Seats may be reserved at Miss Blake’s shop at the Opera House. The prospects are that the recital will be an emphatic success.

ACCOMMODATION IN HOMES PREFERRED HELP DEFERRED OVERTURES FROM HAWERA Accommodation for approximately 300 people from the earthquake stricken area lias been arranged in Hawera and surrounding districts, according to a report received from the billeting committee by the Mayor (Mr E. A. Pacey) at a meeting of the general committee held in the Borough Council Chambers yesterday afternoon, The report stated that there were 25 people who had agreed to provide temporary homes for women with one or more children, 12 who had offered the use of furnished and unfurnished cottages, 49 who had offered accommodation in a furnished room with a double bed, 9 who had agreed to take single women, 6 who were willing to take school boys, (3 Who were prepared to take two women friends, 4 who would take married men and 22 who would take school girls. The total number provided for was, it was estimated, in the vicinity of 300. Those present at the meeting were the Mayor (M. E. A. Pacey), Messrs A K. Fyson (secretary), F. Gillanders, W. G. Simpson, B. P. Cox, Rev. J. R. -Young, Mesclames E. A. Stevens, S. R. Veiteh, W. E. Carter, and Miss Young. CAMP CONDITIONS. Mr Rod Syine, who, together with the first arrivals from the concentration camp at Palmerston North, had reached Hawera shortly before the meeting opened, gave details of the visit maue on the previous d,ay by Mr L. O. H-coker and himself to the camp established at Palmerston North on the grounds of the Manawatu A., and P. Association. Before leaving Hawera, Mr Hooker had received an assurance from an emergency meeting of citizens that if such was required aeoommod-i ation could be arranged at Hawera and district for 100 -of the people evacuated from the earthquake area. At the Paimerst-on camp the commandant- and other authorities had endorsed the suggestion that a number of the people should he taken away and placed in private homes as speedily as possible. Some 3.00 people were then at the camp and others were arriving constantly by cars and train. Until they are able to depart for other areas or more comfortable billets they were being given shelter in the large hails of the A. and P. Association buildings. Considering it had been arranged so hastily to meet the emergency situation, the organisation at Palmerston North was wonderful, continued Mr S-yine, but crowding could not be obviated. The refugees included many women and children and, as many were still suffering from the nervous strain of the earthquake experience in the affected area, the opinion was held by the camp authorities- that aceommod-

at ion in ilie quint; of private homes would lio the host thing possible for them. CONSENT WITHHELD. With the full knowledge of the camp authorities, Messrs Hooker and Syme accordingly interviewed people in the camp and 58, who had no immediate prospect of going elsewhere, welcomed the suggestion that they should go to Hawera. Communication with Hawera was established and a request was made for 12 cars to proceed to Palmerston North to convey the number to Hawera and subsequently the list was augmented to 93, which was within the number mentioned at the morning meeting in Hawera. At the outset they were under the impression that the permission of the camp commandant, a military officer, was sufficient to allow the people to depart, but they subsequently discovered that the Mayor of Palmerston North (Mr Graham) was exercising control,'

and when he was. approached he refused ins consent. Mr Graham had informed Messrs Hooker and Syine that accommodation could be found lor 2000 in Palmerston .North aud until that number was actually- m the camp, lio one would be allowed to leave, though Mr J. A. iNash, iVI.F., and other prominent citizens had agreed with the opinion ot tlie camp authorities and endeavoured to persuade the Mayor to give the necessary permission, he maintained his attitude, and the consent was withheld. in the meantime they had made a further request to Hawera for sufncient cars to convey the 93 people, but were relieved subsequently- on receipt of another message that the ears were not being despatched ou a fruitless errand. FLEET OF 30Q CARS. So anxious, however, were the people of Palmerston North to give assistance that a lleet of some 300 cars had been organised by the Manawatu Automobile Association and members had informed Messrs Hooker and Syme that if sufficient cars could hot at short notice bo despatched from Hawera, they- would be supplied by- the M.anawatu Association, it had been ascertained that people could leave the camp to go to friends and a number of Automobile Association cars were leaving for Hawera that day with a few people from the camp.

A telegram despatched yesterday morning by- the Mayor of Palmerston North m reply to the Hawera committee’s inquiry stated there was no immediate necessity- for people to leave Palmerston North and that advice, if necessary-, would be sent later. Following Mr Syme’s report, several speakers expressed the view that the only- cause open to the committee was to work through the correct channel of authority Mr Cox suggested that there was doubtless a reason for the official refusal of consent to allow people in the camp to depart at that stage. Proper organisation was essential and the physical condition of those evacuated i would also have to be considered. - DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND It would be admitted that in dealing with people whose numbers would run into thousands, organising control was necessary, said Mr Simpson. It was difficult, however, to understand the motive underlying the refusal to accept what was, as far as Palmerston North was concerned, an offer to deal immediately with the disposal of a number of the people congregated there and give them the benefit of accommodation in private homes. The Mayor pointed out that at the emergency meeting held during the previous morning nothing definite had been decided, but at the public meeting in the evening, when communication was established with the Mayor of Palmerston North it was decided to take no definite action until requested to do 60.

Ou the motion of Mr Gillanders, seconded by Miss Young, it was decided to welcome those expected during the afternoon, but that no further action with respect to bringing people from Palmerston North would be taken until notification was received from the authorities that such was necessary. It was also decided, on the motion of the Rev. Young, to advise the Mayor of Palmerston North that the Hawera district was prepared to provide accommodation immediately for 100 and would consider arranging for further numbers if required. HAWERA NURSES’ HELP Sister Ingles and her sister, Mrs. Wood, who with Mrs. Bavin went over with Mr. J. M. Buckeridge to Napier to see whether they could give help, remained in Napier aud are working with the Red Cross at the Tarada-le racecourse. This has been made the headquarters of their work. Mr. Buckeridge, who also took over some supplies, said he did some transport work, but that otherwise there were ample men available over there. He is enthusiastic over the good service given by Red Cross workers. The two nurses with Mrs. Bavin, who is also a trained nurse, did some relieving night duty on Wednesday and Thursday. Mr. Buckeridge naturally- was shocked at the desolatiou. Remarking on the roads round Napier and Hastings he said that one had to drive very carefully to avoid the fissures that were opened up. Curiously, he said, these were generally along the length of the road, not across. It was as though the sides had slipped away and torn the centre outwards. Mr. Buckeridge and Mrs. Bavin returned yesterday afternoon.