RELIEF WORK PROGRESS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 13 February 1931, Page 5

RELIEF WORK PROGRESS

SPECIAL POLICE DISBANDED TWO LOOTERS SENT TO GAOL. FURTHER DEATHS REPORTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.,) HASTINGS, Feb. 12, A violent earthquake lasting lialf-a-minute shook Napier and Hastings this morning just before 5 o’clock. The motion tvas distinctly different from that of tho two explosive ’quakes which wrecked the town and did nor contain any elements of fearfulness comparable with last week’s shakes. The motion was more gradual and undulating. The special force of about 200 special police and pickets which has been patrolling and guarding Hastings for the last week, including a squad of motor cycle police, rvas disbanded this morning. Each received a card entitling him to a Aveek’s food on the A-olunteer workers’ basis.

A thunderstorm at Napier to-day brought exceptionally heavy rain, Avhich lasted 20 minutes, giving wav to a lighter fall. The wind from the south has died out and the indications are that that rain will not be serious. The sea is more calm.

Rita Hawkins, 206 Ellison Road, Hastings, aged two weeks, died from injuries to-day. Mrs Otter, aged 66, who was a patient in the Napier Hospital at the time of the earthquake, lias died at the Wellington Hospital. Tayo men Avere arrested at Napier today for looting and were given three months’ imprisonment. A Wellington man who claimed that he had been sent here to organise Avas arrested for drukenness and remanded for a week.

SAFETY OF BUILDINGS. ARGHITECTs’oFFER HELP. WELLINGTON, Feb. 12. The NeAV Zealand Institute of Architects discussed at considerable length the question of rebuilding in the earthquake area. They agreed to send the follo.Aving letter to the Prime Minister: The New Zealand Institute of Architects extends to sufferers in the national calamity in Hawke’s Bay its profound sympathy. Realising the responsibility devolving upon architects of the Dominion to safeguard the public pnsofar as is humanly possible from a similar future catastrophe, members nave giA r en the matter their earnest consideration and offer the following suggestions:

(1) That immediate consideration of the town-planning aspects of rehabilitation proposals for the devastated area is of prime importance and should be dealt with before any permanent rebuilding is permitted; to this end the expert town planner available, in the country should be utilised to the utmost.

(2) That while deprecating any SAveeping condemnation of particular materials or systems of construction we stress tho importance in all rebuilding operations of the selection of that system most suitable to the particular Avork which may be iit hand, and, furthermore, any system so. adopted should be one of a consistent character throughout individual building and, needless to say, not only designed according to recognised earthquake and fire resisting principles, but soundly and faithfully built. A committee of our members has been set up to make definite recommendations in regard to the guiding principles and details of construction and the possibility of the incorporation of these in the building code. The findings of this committee will be made available to the public. The letter recalls that before the Murchison disaster tlio institute had brought to the attention of the Government of tho day the necessity of preparation of such a code and offered assistance in its preparation. WANGANUI~RELIEF WORK. OVER 400 REFUGEES HOUSED. WANGANUI, Feb. 12. A donation of £SO Avas made tonight by the Wanganui Acclimatisation Society for the relief of earthquake sufferers. It was pointed out by the president, Mr H. J. Duigan, that under the rules of the society it is not allowable to use its funds in this manner, but as the object, was such a deserving one he had asked the Government’s sanction. A telegram was read stating that the GoA'ernment would validate donations to the earthquake fund. The Wanganui relief funds, national and local, are now nearing £4OOO. The Wanganui-Rangitikei PoAver Board has voted £SOO and ear-marked a further £SOO for payment after March 31. Fifty-eight hospital patients from tne stricken area are in the public hospital here. There has been one death since their arrival—Ronald Parkinson, aged 31. He was a hospital _ patient at Napier before the earthquake, as were the majority of tho eases brought here. They came either from the Napier Hospital or the Park Island Old People’s Home. Well over 400 refuges are billeted in the city and local residents are subscribing to the local fund, Avhich has reached £SOO, to provide for the immediate needs of the sufferers. A small Aveekly sustenance payment is made each day on tho authority of the re sponsible citizens’ committee.

ACCESS TO EARTHQUAKE AREA. RESTRICTION ON VISITORS. WELLINGTON, Feb. .12. Mr W. B. Taverner, Minister of Transport and Public Works, has announced that, it has been decided not to allow persons to proceed to Napier or Hastings in the meantime lo seek employnient. No permits will be issued to persons to proceed by road vehicles unless authentic evidence is produced to the Transport Departmert that their services have been sought and leave lias been given them to obtain access to Napier and Hastings. It is likely that their entry into uiose towns will require to be approved by the authorities in control of them.

Applications On other grounds will still bo subject to the closest scrutiny, and motor vehicles will definitely not*.bo allowed beyond Danncvirkc without permits. The whole position in regard to employment in the area is being closely watched, and a further announcement will be made calling for applications should the necessity arise. Food is rationed and obtainable only by residents,* visitors must take thoir own.

VERONICA'S HULL STRAINED. I .: ~ . ! INVESTIGATION OF DAMAGE. TRIBUTE PAID PERSONNEL. AUCKLAND, Feb. 12. Back from Napier, the Diomede and the Veronica entered the harbour this morning, and the Veronica immediately went into dock. The flagship Dunedin arrived this afternoon. Outwardly the Veronica, does not show signs of the ordeal she passed through Avhen tied up at the inner Napier Avhurf at the rime of the big earthquake, but it is belie\ r ed her hull is severely strained. Immediately she entered the dock parties commenced to unload the ammunition stores prior to the water being pumped out of tne dock.

Commander Morgan of the Veronica said that a fine voyage aaus experienced from Napier to Auckland. Aftei; a little trouble the ship was manoeuvred out of the “Iron Pot” and through the narrow channel into the open sea. However, not long after Napier had been cleared the steam steering gear broke'doAvn and it was not until midnight on Tuesday that it was repaired. In the meantime the ship had to be steered by baud. A fairly heavy southerly SAvell avus encountered until, the sliiiJ rounded East Cape, but after that, said Commander Morgan, the sea was smooth. “Our oavii men on the Veronica had a trying time at Napier, but to a man they worked extremely well,” said the commander. “The utmost credit is due to the master, officers and the crew of both the Northumberland and the Tarauaki for the loyal way in which they supported us immediately after the big earthquake. Each ship landed parties after they had moA’ed out to deeper water and gave us every possible assistance. The cadets from the Northumberland did really Avonderful work. They Avorked under my navigator, Lieutenant Warrand, all Tuesday afternoon and night. Those cadets are mere boys and they deserve the highest praise one can bestow.” , A later message says that although the detailed survey of the Veronica has yet to be completed, Commodore Blake states that no serious structural damage had been caused and it is expected that repairs will be effected in about ten days. “The sloop’s hull, has been strained through the blows .it received in tho first earthquake shock at Napier,” said the commodore. “HowGA r er, as far as we can see the -damage is not. extensive and the A'essol is quite seaworthy.” The men of the Veronica are to be granted three days’ leaA’e in recognition of their serA r ices at Napier.

ONLY ’QUAKE INSURANCE DECISION OF THE COMPANIES. STATE’S POLICY CRITICISED. WELLINGTON, Feb. 12. ' At a meeting of the controlling officers of the associated insurance companies operating in the Dominion it was unanimously decided that no payment could be made in respect of losses arising out of the disaster in Hawke’s Bay, except to tnose policy-holders who insured against loss as the result of earth, quake. , The report issued states that the Prime Minister had announced that the Government had decided that the State Fire Office would make ex gratia payments at the discretion of the general manager to policy-holders whose insured property suffered damage, the payments not in any case to exceed the amount of the fire damage, and not in any circumstances to extend to purely earthquake damage. 'The meeting expressed the hope that on reflection the Government, as representative of the Avhole- comniiinity,' will realise that the hasty proposal indicates a narrow Anew of flic problem and the means to be taken to solve it.

“The Prime Minister’s proposal is to make a gift to a limited number of State Fire Office policy-holders,” the statement continues. “The Prime Minister is reported to have said that the Government : s proposal was intended to be a lead to the insurance companies. This implied that the State Fire Office, and the insurance companies were on a parity, but beyond the fact of being competitors there is no resemblance between them. The State Fire Office has no capital and confines its operations to JNew Zealand. What becomes of its funds is the concern only of the people of New Zealand. “ The insurance companies operate on capital provided by private individuals, only a small portion of whom reside in the. Dominion. Their capital and re--se"rves are the security of the policyholders, not merely in New Zealand, but also in other countries, some of which arc liable to earthquake risk. To establish the precedent of paying for losses as the result of the earthquake, which are specifically excluded from the contract, would strike at the very root of that security and. the sound practice upon which insurance is founded. ‘ ‘Reference is frequently made to the •San Francisco insurance companies. They were liable for fire, but not for shock damage, which was very slight. Out of the San Francisco disaster came the realisation that the companies were operating in a manner which might create a liability that would firstly jeopardise the security of policies issued all over the world, and secondly, place the shareholders’ cax-dtal at the risk ot‘ total extinction. To remove these hazards was imperative, and a clause was framed eliminating all losses |in uny way attributable to earthquake. jAt the same time provision was- made [whereby property owners could obtain [protection. Until now -the. rate at I Napier would have been five shillings I] or cent, to cover both fire and shoek I damage by making this form, of in- ' sura nee Hie subject of a special conl tract. The demand was limited and I could be provided for. | “The companies are faced with losses in respect of interests which were projected by such special contracts. The [extent of these losses is no yet assesablc, but it must be considerable. The j companies have no justification for ! placing on a paritv a policy-holder who il as not availed himself of protection I with one who has paid the premium for earthquake cover for years. The fact ‘hat the insurance companies’ policies as now worded do not cover losses attributable to or in consequence of earthquake was definitely established after the disaster in Japan by the highest courts, which in every case ruled that the policies did not extent to such losses. ’ ’

WORK IN NAPIERNO OUTSIDE TRADESMEN NEEDED. In reply to hie telegram asking if any work were offering in Napier for tradesmen, the Mayor (Mr E. A. 1 acey) has been advised by the District Engineer Of the Public Works Department that no tradesmen are required there at present. HAWKE’S BAY FAT STOCK. PROVISION FOR FREEZING. 'WELLINGTON, Feb. 12. The throwing out of action for the time being of the freezing works in Hawke’s Bay appears to have created some apprehension among farmers of that district as to whether they would be able to get fat stock handled and frozen without undue delay and consequent deterioration. Arrangements already made will obviate this, says the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. A. J. Murdoch). Last week the Meat Producers’ Board interested itself in this matter and consulted with representatives of the freezing companies in the 'Wellington, Manawatu and Wanganui districts, all o±’ whom were willing - to a-ssist in dealing with Hawke’s Bay stock, ’lue arrangements made are already in operation. With the cordial assistance of the Railway Department a quantity.of Mock has been railed to outside works for killing and freezing. The Department of Agriculture is assisting in everv way possible and is also, where necessary, adapting its inspection and certification services to meet the additional requirements at the works handling the stock. PRIME MINISTER’S APPEAL. RAISING OF RELIEF FUNDS.

WELLINGTON, Feb. .12.

The Prune Minister stated to-day that the central earthquake relief committee held its first meeting to-day and appointed local relief committees for Napier, Hastings, the Hawke’s Bay county, Wairoa and Central Hawke’s Bay for the purpose of dealing expemtiously on the spot with local relief and the disbursement of the funds, making recommendations and advising the central committee on all matters arising out of the administration of the relief funds. Careful steps had been taken to ensure that the relief work was properly co-ordinated and that there would be as little delay as possible in applying the money for the purpose lor which it was subscribed. He felt sure that the people would give a prompt and generous response to the appeal for funds, and he hoped that local bodies anil other public and private organisations and individuals would cooperate in every way possible to afford much needed relief and alleviate the widespread distress. The Prime Minister emphasised that no matter how large a sum was subscribed it could not possibly meet the requirements of the sufferers or be sufficient to aid the people of the earthquake zone in their prodigious task of restoring normal conditions a.nd u.e commerce of the community.

DISTRICT RELIEF FUNDS FILTH AM MAYOR’S LIST £ s. d. t

KAPONGA RED GROSS LIST. The following donations are acknowledged by the Ivaponga Red Cross branch: £lO—T. Abbott. W. Carrington. £5 —E. L. Abbott, G. Lissaman. £2 2s —D. Gibson. £2—H. J. Mills, S. M. MacMillan, Mrs Gray, Mrs Bickford, W. Walker. £1 15s—J. W. H. Gardner. £1 Is —A. and P. Anderson, J. McCarthy. J. My hill, J. Fary, Mr and Mrs A. J. Dempsey. C. P. Green, Airs Bentley. £1 —Army Sister, J. Tonkin, C. Tonkin, A. Powell, Champtaloup, S. C. Knight, H. Harre, H. Bond, R M. Grices W. A. O’Neill. B. Hey, Jack Gibson. Mrs W. G. O’Neill, J. Gny Ltd., W. Melville. G. Burke, Chamberlain, Crookes, A. W. Kemp, Gardner and Harnslev. C. I*. Crowley, All's Smith, Aliss Smith. P. Smith. Airs Newport, Airs J. Doyle, \ . Hill, G. B. Guthrie, Aliss M. Hill, Mrs Al. Fitzgerald, A. D. Reid. 15s —Airs H. Alellow. 12s Gd—Air Aliller. 10s —R. Denham. J. AT. Izett, \V. Feudal 1, J. Hatchie. Aliss T. M. Melville. J. Peters, Airs Scanlon, Airs Southern, J. J. Casey, Air and Mis AlcGintv, Airs D. Gibson, Airs J. J • Malone, H. Wills, P. Aler, J. Tattersail, IT. Arelville, J. Allan, S. Reid,

Mrs Thurston, Allison, I>. Malone, J. Notter, J. Brown, J. Kaiser, \V. Eves A. Kramer, J. Hammersley, ri. Burrows, Mrs Bradfod, Mrs Catclipole, A. E. Jackson, F. J. Sattler, E. J. Benson, A. R. Dunlop, B. Codnngton, F. A. Ooombes, F. Eden, G. Slater, Mrs S. Nicliol, V. Mellow, J. Chainher la in, Mrs D. Rowell, Mrs J. Rnscoe, Taylor, Twist, G. Larsen, G. Powell, Mrs H. Lewis, G. Lewis, Mrs I. E. Evans. 7s 6d—Mr McPhillips.

6s—D. A. Hughes, os—R, Gvvyn, Mrs Gwyn, R, Webb, Mrs Josephson, C. G. Gardner, Mrs Bertie, Mrs Farnell, Mrs Loveridge,! J Free, A. Dinniss, Mrs Harvey, Mrs Shaw G. Watson. J. McLaughlin, Mrs | J. Kissick, Mrs Fallows, Phipps Mrs Myers, Mrs McGuiness, Mrs Jones, Sirs W. Harris, C. Stewart, Kehely, Mrs A. Melville, 'Mrs Webby, Mrs Boyle, Mrs Thomas, H. Linn, N. G., Gordo-e, Freeman, Dorgau, Ruriger, ( Bolton, McCauley, J. McMahon, G. Harper, R. Dagg, Mrs Wright, L. Kemp. H. Taylor, Mrs J. H. Anderson J. W. Townend, Mrs W. Dowds, Mrs Gatenby, Steer, W. Esmner, H., Harrison, R. Murphy, F. Jones, Woodbead, Airs S. if. Hollard. G. I Powell, F. Albon, AY. Blackwell. S. j AleCarrison. j Sums under os amount to £4 2s btl. ( I AVATMATE AYEST COUNTY. |

Previously acknowledged ... a. 35 0 0) W. H. Bublitz 3 0 0 Mr and Mrs R. Lee 1 0 0 Mr and Mrs T. E. Thompson 1 1 0 Mr and Mrs A. Ware 2 2 0 Mr and Mrs J. Phillips, senr. 5 0 0 Mrs Wilson and family i 0 0 Mr J. Cruden 10 0 Mr and Airs R. J. Nairn ... 2 2 0 Presbyterian Sunday School 5 0 Rev. .T. A. and Mrs Rybum 3 3 0 Air S, Norris 10 0 Air and Airs P. Henry 2 2 01 All Saints Church Ladies' Guild 7 0 o Air and Airs J. Kirk 9 2 0 Air H Bunn 10 0 “Lil” 5 0 Air and Airs R. Lewis 2 2 0 R. J. K mickev o 0 0 Mr and Mrs A. Coleman ... 5 o 0 Ellen P. Hill 2 2 0 J. Shieldhouse i 0 0 Air and Airs J. Sanderson ... 5 0 0 Air F. Belcher 3 0 0 Alias E. Belcher 1 0 0 Airs C. J. Belcher 1 0 0 Airs Dr. Valentino 1 1 0 All- and Airs G. Fowler 1 0 0 Molly Courtney 2 0 Nevin Courtney 2 0 F. and H. J. Startup 5 0 0 Airs Sulzberger, senr i 1 0 A Friend i 0 0

MLTHAAl GENERAL LIST “Sympathiser’’ 2 0 0 -Mr and Mrs G. D. McGregor 5 5 0 Air and Airs Gates 15 0 Air and Airs A. A. Stewart o 0 0 ATr and Airs F. Coward 2 0 0 A1V and Airs J. R. Syinmons 1 0 0 Air and Airs C. C. Stanners 5 0 0 Air and Airs J. B. Norgate •5 0 0 Air A Airs J. AVallacei Major Glthain Public School ScholL 0 0 ars Sell-denial Fund ... 7 r> R.K.T I 0 ii -Miss L. Finnerty „ 1 0 0 G. H. Percy 1 0 0 AJiss G. Brooker 10 0 L. AI aiming 2 6 “Willistock” 5 0 Anonymous (1 0 0 Ah- and Airs AY. (). Hill 2 0 C Svinpathiser 15 0 Afiss H. AieCarthy 3 3 0 Aliss Ruby Garvin 1 0 0 ATessrs Svme and AVeir 10 10 0 Air and Airs T. C. Stanners 3 3 0

Previously acknowledged- .... Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Mead W. 15. Vernor Q fall'll £ so 61 1 3 3 1 1. i -o 1. ! 6 0 0 0 £66 5 0 riveirdalk store. J Mr. and Mrs. J. S. McKay £ so 10 0 1 0 d. 0 0 1 0 0 i Mrs E. J. Moore P. A. Snowdon 10 0 10 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Mr. and Mrs. Spooner 3 3 1 0 0 0 Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Wilson . 1 1 0 £30 14 0 ATJROA STORE. Mr. and Mrs. A. Freyne ... £ so 1 0 1 o d.‘ 0 0 Mr. and Mrs. Cave Miss M. AVilliamson M. J. Caldwell 1 1 5 10 0 0 0 . £3 16 0 JOEL FACTORY, OTAKETIO. £ so 1 0 d. 0 1 0 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 1 0 0 5 0 5 0 1 1 0 17 6 .. £6 3 6

BANK OF N.Z., MANAIA. 1 £ so d. i % Mr. and G. M att*s 0 o: o' 0, \Iv R A Wan d u o' ToHl £H 2 O 1 YARROW’S STORE. 1 £ so d. ■ A. H. Yarrow ? ? C. C. Lord n | 0 0! °l rr„+oi £4 ; 1 o 1 KAUPOKONFI CO-OP.. MANAIA.. £ s. d. Mr and Mr*. H. Vinten ... t) ‘ MR A. G BENNETT’S LIST. £ s. <1. 0 MANAIA AND WAT MATE WEST LADIES’ COMMITTEE. i Donations towards cost of material for >1 making clothes for refugees.^ d. W.D.F/U. ? o Mrs. C. Muggendgo 1 Mesdames Sutherland and >1 Henderson 1 , () )| Mrs. ,K Jones J ) Mrs. A. G. Bennett r' rt ) Miss Hilles L ’ <> 0 0 0 0 0 !! Total 10 0