EARTHQUAKE FUND

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 86, 11 March 1932, Page 12

EARTHQUAKE FUND

GRANTS FOR REPAIRS. HOW MONEY WAS EXPENDED. WELLINGTON, March 11. Advances made for carrying out repairs to dwelling houses damaged by the earthquake in Hawke’s Bay win be treated as free grants, according to a decision reached at the final meeting of the central committee _of the Hawke’s Bay earthquake relief fund held on Wednesday. The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Eorbes, explained yesterday that an undertaking had been obtained from all applicants for advances that the assistance granted was by way of loan and that repayment would he made on demand. The reason for this was that tho committee was not certain whether | there would be sufficient funds available to meet all applications for assistance. The necessity to recover any [ portion of such amounts, however, had not arisen, and payments made for repairs would be treated as free grants, ‘‘No doubt,” Mr Forbes proceeded, “this intimation will bo of great importance to those concerned, and it will lift a load of anxiety from those who were under the necessity of making provision to refund at least some portion.of the amount paid on their behalf.” . , Donations to the relief fund amounted to £392,906, and tho addition of interest brought this sum up t0>£402,367. Dinsbursements total £325, dM, leaving at balance of £77,047. To balance lias to be added another £JtHJ, represented by subscriptions in transit. Of this credit balance of £77,947, £46,117 has been set aside for the permanent relief of dependants, £20,000 is represented in commitments for repairs to houses, and £11,830 has been allocated in respect to outstanding claims against the fund. DONATIONS TO FUND. Details of receipts and payments from the fund to February 29 last are as follow:—Gross donations received £395,255. Less refunds and amounts for specific purposes disbursed in accordance with wishes of donors, £2349 —£392.906; Public Trust Office interest, £9461. Total, £402,367. DETAILS OF PAYMENTS. Expenditure on camps: Napier Park £15,860, Palmerston North: Showgrounds £3553, Awapuni £570 — £19,983; food, clothing sustenance, etc.: Napier (in addition to camps) £40,217, Palmerston _ North (in addition to camps) £1525, Hastings, £26,764, Central Hawke’s Bay £1719, Dannevirke £552, Wairoa (other than Maoris) £372, Hawke's Bay County £203 Mas teuton £2, Sundry payments £40_L£71,394. Giants for losses sustained: Napier £6954, Hastings £999 £7953. Transport of refugees (private contracts only), £l4ll. Maori relief: Food, restoration of chimneys and repairs’ to houses: Napier (food) £IBB, Hastings (food and repairs to houses) £6688 Wairoa (food and repairs to houses) £4125—£11,001. Repairs to dwellings (including reimbursements): Emergency repairs carried out by Public Works Department £1306, Napier and Hawke’s Bay County £150,225, Hastings £45,380, Wairoa £5679, Central Hawke’s Bay £10,834 —£213.454. Sundry disbursements £124. Balance in hand £77,407. Grand total £402,367. ALLOCATION OF BALANCE. The position of the fund at the present time is as follows: —Cr. balance as per statement of account £77,047 ; susberiptions in transit £900; total £77,947. Amount set aside by Central Committee for repairs to houses, £20,000; outstanding claims against the fund. £11,830; total £77,947. It will be seen from this statement that when all commitments have been paid the fund will bo finally disbursed.