£l0,000 ’QUAKE DAMAGE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 77, 13 March 1934, Page 5

£l0,000 ’QUAKE DAMAGE

Eketahuna District MAYOR’S STATEMENT (By Telegrapii-L’re»e A.««ocl*tton.) EKETAHUNA, March 13. At a meeting of the Borough Council last night the Mayor stated that 90 per cent, of the chimneys in this district had been affected by the earthquake, against GO per cent, in Pahiatua. The total damage was now estimated at £lO,OOO. The council decided to apply to the Public Works Department for an engineer to inspect all brick buildings immediately. Appreciation wa s expressed to the Mayor of Napier for his message of sympathy and the offer of the services of his staff if required.

POSITION IN PAHIATUA

Report Before Council (by Telegraph-Press Association.) PAHIATUA, March 13. At a meeting of the Borough Council last night, a detailed report of two public works officers on the state of business premises damaged by the earthquake was submitted. At the outset a motion was submitted by a councillor that the report and discussion be taken in committee. He said that the report was for the council and affected State property. Publication in many cases might be injurious and not for general information. The motion was carried. It was resolved to negotiate with an outside architect for the services of a building inspector to peruse the plans and specifications for proposed reconstruction works. The Fire Brigade was heartily thanked for its splendid services on the night of the earthquake. Two men are now taking tally of damaged chimneys in the borough.

REGULATIONS NEEDED

Minister Convinced (By Telegraph—Pres» Association.) PAHIATUA, March 13. The Hon. R. Masters, in an interview, said that after an inspection of the town he was convinced there was never a greater need for regulations regarding buildings being brought into operation in this'eountry. It was absolutely patent to him that the sooner the Government placed the responsibility on municipalities for adopting a mode] set of building by-laws the better. Mr. Masters also said he was seriously considering the introduction of stoves and iron pipes to circle the walls in each class-room in schools and dispense with chimneys to obviate the danger of bricks falling on the children. The Government would do as much for the district as had been done for Hawke’s Bay. This was one time admittedly when people could come to the Government for assistance, though too many frivolous requests were made these days for Government aid. The Government would have to take a firmer stand.

CENTRE OF DISTURBANCE

Seismologist’s Report (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 13. Reports received by the Government Seismologist, Dr. Adams, now enable him definitely to place the epicentre of last week’s earthquake at about 50 miles out to sea south-east of the area where it was felt most strongly. It may seem curious that the worst effects of the earthquake were felt not near the epicentre, but over an area some distance from it, but such has been the case in many other earthquakes and is a phenomenon seismologists are unable to explain. The indications point to the shake being of deep-seated origin, perhaps ten miles below the surface.