DESTINATIONS OF REFUGEES.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 February 1931, Page 5

DESTINATIONS OF REFUGEES.

FIXED AT HAWKE’S BAY END. SUGGESTION THAT TRENTHAM CAMP BE OPENED. A number of local authorities are under the impression that the ultimate destinations of refugees from the Napier and Hastings areas are decided by the authorities in Palmerston North, and late yesterday afternoon the Mayof Palmerston (Mr A. J. Graham) and Mr J, A. Nash, M.P., received the following wire from the Mayor of Wellington (Mr G. xi. Troup): —“At present over 7000 refugees accommodated in Wellington; cannot take any more. Any who come in future must make provision for their own accommodation. Kindly divert to other towns any more who may come. Taranaki towns complain that their complements have not been sent them.” Mr Graham received a letter from the Mayor of Wellington relating to the same matter, and he enclosed a letter from the Patea authorities to the effect that the people there were anxious to help and that accommodation for 128 people had been arranged, and expressing regret that so few refugees had been sent. Mr B. Hume, a member of the New Plymouth Citizens’ Relief Committee, waited on Mr Graham yesterday and expressed New Plymouth’s willingness to relieve the congestion in other towns. In regard to this Mr Graham stated last evening that he was wiring the Mayor of New Plymouth that the authorities favoured concentration camps, that the destination of refugees was being arranged at the Napier end, and advising the Mayor of New Plymouth to communicate direct with the Napier authorities, stating the number the town was prepared to take. In reply to the Mayor of Wellington’s telegram, Mr Graham sent the following; “No refugees are being sent from our camps. Please advise the evacuation officers at Napier and Hastings, who decide destinations, that you have a full complement of refugees. General Young left here to-day. Suggest you confer with him regarding situation.” Mr Nash, M.P., wired the Mayor of Wellington, stating that the health

authorities insisted that the numbers in the Palmerston camps should be reduced. He suggested that Mr Troup interview General Young in reference to opening Trentham Camp. POWER LINES IN HOROWHENUA DISTRICT. THOROUGH EXAMINATION BEING MADE. ASSISTANCE RENDERED TO HAWKE’S BAY. “Very little damage was caused by the recent earthquake,” stated the Engineer (Mr J. A. Smith), in his monthly report to the Ilorowhenua Power Board, yesterday “A few transformer fuses were blown and some service lines twisted up, especially in the northern area. A thorough examination of the lines in that area is being made. “I got in toucli with Power Board engineers in the affected areas, offering any help that was required. The Public Works Department were in urgent need of an 11,000-volt transformer for their sub-station, so we loaned them a 15 k.v.a. and some other apparatus. As they were short of transport, wo took this up to their sub-station near Taradale on Friday last.” The Engineer’s action in so promptly offering aid and assistance to the Department was confirmed and commended by the Board. HELP TO REFUGEES. BUT NOT FREE ELECTRICITY. At the meeting of the Ilorowhenua Power Board yesterday a letter was received from Air A. A. Brown,, Waikanae, stating that he was giving the use of his cottage free to refugees from the earthquake amq and asking if the Board would give the electricity free for their use. The Chairman stated that, while the Board appreciated the help rendered by .Mr Brown, if would be a dangerous precedent for it to start giving power away; and he moved that the Board regret that they are unable to see their way to grant the request. Mr Blenkhorn said it was with regret that he seconded th e motion. As a member of the relief committee, he appreciated the help given by Mr Brown to refugees. Mr Morse stated that Mr Palliser, of “The Capitol,” at Otaki Beach, was housing 31 refugees, while seven cottages at the beach were occupied. Regarding Mr Palliser, he said he had rendered yeoman service, and Avas incurring a number of incidental expenses Avhich Avere going to be hard. The speaker had hoped that the Board might take a favourable view of the request, but he recognised that, as the Board covered a wide area, it would be establishing a bad precedent. The Chairman stated that later in the meeting the Board Avould consider making a donation to the national fund, Avhich he thought Avould be better than making donations piecemeal. By granting .electric power, they would no doubt bring about chaos in regard to meter-reading, etc. The motion was carried. As announced in yesterday’s issue, the Board voad m urn national relief fund. PALMERSTON'S RELIEF' FUND. (B\ Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., This Day. The Palmerston North donations to the Refief Fund exceed £IOOO, including £250 from the New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association. LEVIN DISTRICT FUND. PRESENT TOTAL OVER £1066. The latest contributions to the Mayor’s fund, which now totals £1066 17s sd, arc given beloAv: — Already acknciAvledged . . £1059 16 5 Mr and Mrs J. IT. Rolston . . 22 0 Samuel Rolston 22 0 Mr and .Mrs IT. J. Hughes 22 0 EC 15 0 Total to date £1066 17 5