N.Z. DISASTERS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1938, Page 3

N.Z. DISASTERS

MR SEMPLE’S REVIEW OF COST. '.Per Press Association—-Copyright). CHRISTCHURCH, June 17. Some idea of the cost to the country ol tlif' recent major disasters throughout the Dominion was given to a gathering of local body officials who met the Minister for Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) at Akaroa yesterday. “We have h'd some terrible ' knocks recently,” said Mr Semple. “In 24 hours I committed the Government for more than £BO,OOO at the recent Taranaki floods. 1 had to do it; but £BO,OOO is a lot of money. That terrible tragedy on the Napior-G isborne route, w’x'i-e 21 of the best fellows in the world lost- their lives, lias cost the Government £IOO,OOO. The damage to roads, railways, and bridges in the Hawke's Rav floods has already accounted for £400,000, and the lull extent of the d'-Mnage to the farms cannot he known for a long time.

‘‘Then, the recent trouble -down in the Sounds has cost us a lot of money, although T cannot say at present what the amount is likely to lie. Fina|]v, £18.500 w r,v< h of damage was done mi the Haurnki Plains in one night,” said I Mr Sc mole. | An account of what he had done to j help those who leul suffered in the i Hawke’s Bay floods was given bv Mr ( Semple. He had had an aerial'survey made of the district, and had Imd fool distributed to the settlors from the air. His engineers had told him j that it would take seven months to clear a temporary route from Napier to Gisborne. ! “1 told them this was numb too long I They had to get it through in the ■ quickest possible time. I got hold of I all the machinery in the North Island, I taking some away from other jobs, I n>’d 1 bought some new machines. I I jr o f joh through in six weeks.” , He also briefly touched on what the Government had done in opening no access for hack country farmers. A survey showed that there were approxi- ' mutely 6000 miles of roads needing forming, reforming, or metalling, and the approximate cost would bo something about £5,000,000. Last year 1500 miles had been treated at a cost of £500,000. These facts, and many others, Mr Semple claimed, showed the great advantage in using mechanical means for these works. The lot of the men was much easier with the machines to do the hard work and the geniuses to direct them. With the double-ended pick and long-handled shovel men were soon worn out. ..“I have never heard of anyone laughing himself to death wheeling a wheel-barrow,” lie concluded.