THE EARTHQUAKE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 69, 20 February 1931, Page 2

THE EARTHQUAKE

TWO MODERATE SHOCKS. NAPIER’S EXPERIENCE YESTERDAY. Per Press Association. NAPIER, Feb. 19. The wentlier to-night is fine, and the sea is ruffled by a slight easterly wind. Two moderate shocks occurred today, one at 6.40 and another at 8.45. A few minor shocks were also felt.

Much progress is being made in clearing sites, and there are indications that further bodies remain to be discovered in one or two localities.

Street lighting has been still further extended, and the water and sewerage system is still receiving attention. Electric current is now available in a few- houses.

No attempt has yet been mado to clear the Breakwater road.

Some unnecessary alarm has been felt concerning the rivers. OneYose rapidly to-day because a dam had burst higher up. However, the water got away quietly and the Itiver Board’s overseer is satisfied that there is .no danger in that quarter during fine weather. The work of diverting the Tutaekuri River is proceeding, and the river will soon discharge at the washout, saving the river course of five miles. Water was going down the new channel today. PROGRESS AT HASTINGS. RESTORATION OF GAS SUPPLY. HASTINGS, Feb. 19. Restoration of the gas supply is now in sight, and a test will be carried out at the beginning of next week. The works manager, Mr A. L. Baker, informed a reporter that the gas-holder, which had been displaced two feet six inches by the quake, had been restored to its original position. The chimneys had been rebuilt and a fire was started under a retort.

In the event of the test proving satisfactory, it was proposed to continue the supply to consumers under normal conditions.

Throughout the test gaslitters will be stationed at various parts of the town ready to carry out repairs. The police stated yesterday that no definite date had been fixed for the reopening of the hotels, which have been closed since the earthquake. Hotel premises had been inspected by the local licensing committee and other authorities, who are determined that the safety of the patrons must he ensured before trade would be allowed to resume again. Two hotels are able to resume in the existing premises, but temporary bars will be erected for others.

The first consignment of the season’s export fruit from Hastings left yesterday for shipment in the Port Dunedin at Wellington. There are indications of a successful season and bookings of space are up to normal. Except for the Twyford area, little damage has been done to orchards. ACTIVITY AT WAIRAKEI. NEW GEYSER BREAKS OUT. AUCKLAND, Feb. 19. ■ A large geyser, described as being like a miniature AVaimangu, broke out in the Wairakei Valley to-dav. according to advice received in Auckland. The new centre of thermal' activity is just off the Pink' Terraces in the geyser valley. Like practically all the other geysers in the valley it plays with almost uncanny regularity, and every four hours. Yesterday it shot large quantities of mud and stone into the air to a height of about 150 feet. The geyser, as yet unnamed, is said to provide an awesome rather than a beautiful spectacle, but if it continues to play it should add another interesting sight to this unique locality. Nobody at Wairakei has any knowledge of a geyser having played from this spot before. It is also reported that there has been considerable activity in the crater of Ngauruhoe during the last few days. A dense volume of black smoke has been seen rising steadily into the sky. Quite frequently volcanic activity in one centre of the thermal region is accompanied by either increased or diminished activity in some other locality. The activity at the hot lake on the summit of Ruapehu, the Ketetahi Springs oil the slopes of Tongariro, and the crater of Ngauruhoe frequently varies in this manner.

HELP FROM SCHOOLS

IMMEDIATE STEPS TAKEN

The part played by. tho secondary schools of Palmerston North in tho relief of earthquake distress was outlined in reports submitted to tile High School Board of Goyernors and Technical School Committee last evening. The director of the Technical School, Mr G. G. Hancox, stated that on February 4, with the approval of the chairman, the whole of the school facilities were placed at the disposal of the local relief committee. The offer also included the school house, at which the home science teachers and senior students were prepared to do the housekeeping and cooking. At one stage it appeared that the house might be used as a temporary hospital. A large number of boys and girls were loaned to relief organisations for clerical and other work, and tho collection of funds to help the Napier Technical College was being taken in hand. The director added that the first earthquake occurred when all classes were at work in the building.' As a result of emergency drill and the coolness of both staff and pupils, the school marched out without panic in less than a minute. “The expenditure last year on the additional exit was justified on that occasion -alone,” said Mr Hancox. “The school was also emptied in quick time on Friday last. No vital 'structural damage appears to have been done by the shakes, hut as a precautionary measure, and with the approval of the chairman, the department. has been asked to make a comprehensive survey of the building. Sixteen Napier students have enrolled in the day school. The rector of the Boys’ High School, (Mr J. Murray.) stated in the course of his report that the school had been glad to render what service it could. On the day following the earthquake accommodation for 12 at the new hostel and 24 at the old hostel was offered to the authorities in charge of the billeting arrangements. Twentyseven Napier boys are in attendance at the school and eight are in residence at College House. “At tho request of Brigadier Whyte, I detailed detachments from the school for various duties at the Showgrounds, both for outside and indoor work, until the camp organisation no longer required their services,” - stated the rector. “The school also responded to the appeal for clothing and books, and monetary donations from tho hoys’ own pocket money are being received toward the relief fund.” Mr Murray added that lie had ceived a letter from the headmaster of the Napier Boys’ High School thanking the board and the school for the assistance rendered. The principal of the’ Girls’ High School, Mrs M. Rhodes, stated that

two refugees from Napier Girls’ High School were at present billeted in the house.

RELEEF WORK. WOMEN’S ORGANISATIONS CONFER. A meeting of representatives from the various women’s organisations engaged oji relief work in and around the city, was held in the Y.W.C.A. rooms yesterday afternoon as a means to preventing overlapping in their activities. Mrs L. A. Abraham presided over the gathering and at the outset explained the purpose of the meeting. A roll call was held, this being followed by the presentation of a report from each of the organisations, which strikingly demonstrated the wholehearted manner in which the womenof the district had responded to the call for assistance issued on behalf of the Hawke’s Bay sufferers. Mrs Palmer outlined the activities of tho voluntary helpers at the Showgrounds clothing depot and the difficulties which had been encountered, the speaker remarking that in the first days of the camp the helpers had cheerfully worked from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. There had been several occasions when they had been short of certain necessary lines and even to-day overcoats, vests, underwear, children's shoes and stockings were in urgent demand. Some of the articles sent in had proved to bo of no use whatsoever, but two ladies in particular, Misses Bailey, of Sanson, had been invaluable in fashioning useful garments out of seemingly useless things. Certain other ladies had proved very adept in remodelling old-fashioned frocks and coats, which had materially assisted the committee. In reply to Mrs Hancox, Mrs Palmer explained the system which had been adopted in checking the amount of clothing issued to applicants. On behalf of the League of Mothers, it was reported that this committee had centred their activities in visiting hospital patients and providing them with necessaries and fruit. Further, members had taken it in turn to cook dinners for those in camp who were on special diets. A large box of singlets, etc., had been distributed among the hospital patients, while clothing had also been sent to the camps and fruit to the children’s ward.

The Women’s Division reported having taken control of the depot in Broadway and that they were assisting those billeted out with food and clothing.

The Mothers’ Union and All S.aints’ Ladies’ Guild had made innumerable garments from many bolts of material, sister guilds reporting in similar strain, while members of the Loyal Orange Lodge had assisted with the mending at the hospital. A tremendous amount of work had been accomplished at the Y’.W.C.A. club rooms, hundreds of garments having been turned out. Miss Wild, of Hastings, and Miss Snelling, of Napier, had rendered yoeman service in machining and cutting out.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society reported having opened a temporary hospital, while a large amount of clothing had been distributed. The Society of Musicians had donated £7 7s, of which £5 6s had been allocated to Mrs Abraham’s funds, while the balance had been devoted, to the purchasing of children’s socks and shoes and for special needs at the P/unket rooms. Concerts had been organised and the society intimated that it would be pleased to assist in any way. The Women’s Institutes and the Business Girls’ Lunch Club had also been actively engaged, the former in sending in food and clothing, 6ewing garments, and making the babies their special care, Avhile the Lunch Club had sent in numbers of garments. Miss Hewitt, treasurer, intimated that the funds were exhausted and it was resolved to make an appeal to the Mayor It was agreed that to avoid overlapping, there should be only one depot for distributing and to concentrate on that at the Showgrounds for this purpose. The depot in Broadway will still be open for receiving and for information and to keep the depots in touch it has been arranged to have the telephone installed at the Broadway depot, where the Women’s Division is in charge. Several organisations which had been receiving and distributing clothing offered to send their supplies to the main depot and this was considered the best plan. It was reported,for the Women’s Division that Mrs T. Lancaster, of Palmerston North, and Mrs A. J. Will, of Ilongotea, werq prepared to supply clothes for mothers going into hospital and that clothing for patients in hospital would be received at the Broadwav depot. Mrs Abraham expressed her thanks to the ladies for all they were doing and the meeting adjourned.

AWAPUNI CAMP

Withdrawals from the Awapuni Camp yesterday were:—Mrs Rubina Alexander, Greenmeadows; returned to Greenmeadows. Mr and Mrs W. Brimer and five children, 1210 Caroline Road, Hastings; returned to Hastings. Fred Ewbank, 28 Bower Street, Napier; returned to Napier. Mr and Mrs E. Startup, 1006 Waipuna Road, Hastings; returned to Hastings. An arrival at the camp yesterday, was Walter Swain, 19 Mcvay Street, Napier. $ DONATIONS. Prime Minister’s list, £122,820; Wellington Mayor’s fund, £30,416; Dominion’s List, £2016; Evening Post list, £4449; Red Cross fund, £3564; Commercial Travellers’ list, £1276. The earthquake fund in London now aggregates £28,293, including Lloyd’s Bank £525, and the Scottish Red Cross £SOO. The Auckland city and suburban contributions to the earthquake relief funds total to date £34,277, with one large borough, Mount Albert, yet to be accounted for. The total includes the Mayor’s Fund, £1,363; New Zealand Herald, £11,107; and Auckland Star, £3154. CITY COUNCIL FUND. Foresters’ Lodge, £5 ss; C. Edwards, 10s 6d; Hinemoa Court, A.O.F. £5 ss; A. Houghton, £5 ss; proceeds swimming carnival, Terrace End baths, £5 12s; total to date, £1046 0s Id.

GIFTS

The following additional gifts • for earthquake refugees have been received at the Bunnytliorpe School and forwarded to the Palmerston North depot:—Reading matter, Mrs A. T. Mitchell, Thelma, Jean and George Armstrong. Clothing; Mr and Mrs J. Gore.

GENERAL. Through the generosity of Mr F. Jackson, managing-director of Palmerston North Theatres, Ltd., who remitted the night’s rental on the Opera House, the Palmerston North Garrison Band was able to hand over to the Mayor’s earthquake relief fund the gross proceeds of its recent Sunday evening concert. As the result of the loss of office records the Prime Minister has agreed to requests from the business community of Napier to 6end an officer of the Land

and Income Tax Department there in order that taxpayers or their authorised agents may have the opportunity of obtaining from departmental files information which is required for accounting purposes. A slight uplift close inshore has occurred off Napier as a result of the earthquake, according to a report received by the Marine Department yesterday from the Government steamer Matai. The Matai, which is engaged on her periodical round of the coastal lights, took soundings in the vicinity of the Napier approaches. » LOAN FOR REHABILITATION. APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT. Per Press Association. HASTINGS, Feb. 20. Speaking at a meeting of the Borough Council last evening, the Mayor, Mr J. F. Roach, said that the Government should realise the necessity of raising a loan to rehabilitate the earthquake damage. Unless money could be got soon, ho said, nothing could be done in the way of reconstruction. “Wo are entitled to it,” he added. “There’s no doubt about that.” Many were ready to rebuild as soon as money was available. The meeting passed a resolution praying that the Government realise the importance of floating the necessary loan. Though his remarks had no connection with the council’s discussion, Archbishop Averill, in an interview, said:—“l consider it the Government’s duty to declare what sort of building is going to be allowed here.” He added that the Government should ask for a loan in Britain, where sympathy with the Dominion was great. He believed that a loan would be subscribed several times over. Unless a loan were raised to enable the people to return and build, they might never return at all. government’sTnterests. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. Per Press Association. NAPIER, Feb. 20i An assurance that the control of the earthquake area, at least as far as the Government’s interests were concerned, would be reviewed was given by Hon. R. Masters when discussing plans with the Napier City Council this morning. “It is quite obvious to me that the Government is going to be involved regarding loans and other matters, and the system of control has got to be reviewed,” said the Minister. “It is my intention to go into the matter with the Prime Minister as far as the Government’s interest in conV'ol and its relations with local bodies are concerned.”

Hon. R. Masters, on behalf of the Government, has offered £IO.OOO for the erection of temporary business premises in Clive Square and the Memorial Square. The rents recovered will assist in repaying the loan, blit the balance will be met by the Government.

NAPIER HARBOUR. WHAT LINE SOUNDINGS REVEAL. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Eeb. 20. The Marine Department received a report this morning from the Government steamer Matai to the effect that line soundings from the eastern limit of Napier Harbour showed a general lessening in depth of from five to seven feet.