AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 247, 17 September 1932, Page 2

AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE.

ESTIMATING THE DAMAGE,

Per Press Association. WAIIIOA, Sept. 17. No official estimate of the damage caused by the earthquake is available but the popular belief is that £50.660 will not cover the amount. Every building will requiro expert examination beiore a report can be made. Practically every further examination in the business area discloses more structural faults. One hotelkeeper states that £6OO will not cover his loss. A second one estimated his loss at over £4OO.

At the Hospital the loss in drugs and fittings and damage to the isolation ward, the X-ray room, the operating theatre and tho nurses’ new home totals thousands of pounds. Various wards of the hospital were not severely damaged, hut were badly strained and aro out of alignment. The electric light was resumed late last night and had tho effect of considerably allaying tire nervousness felt. The restoration of this service was a stupendous task, the Power Board and Borough Council staffs rendering yeoman service, the work being a credit.

The business of the town is gradually resuming normality, but it will take a long period to repair tho damage. The demolition of the bridge is tho gravest' loss to the commercial community. The damage to tho new bridge under construction will make a resumption of normal activity north of Clyde a matter for conjecture. There was no untoward incident during the night apart from tire fact that it was filled with minor tremors. Thero was a particularly heavy one about 10.30 this morning, followed by a second bump a short while later which was not so severe. r l he tremors are practically continuous, but tho spirit of the community is wonderful, no panic occurring whatever. Tho general, business and professional services are rapidly resuming. All the staffs have resumed work. The unemployed are all engaged on various repair works and no stand down period will operate in the meantime. Medical officers and their assistants have arrived from Gisborne and Wellington. Mr D. W. Coleman, the member for the district, will arrive to-morrow. The Uoverfument officials arc rendering admirable assistance in every possible direction, especially the Post and Telegraph staff, who are handling tlie telegraphic business with appreciated rapidity. The weather, though still wet, is not cold. The rain i-s not so heavy as at night. A more cheery atmosphere is prevailing, the whole community acting like one big family and doing their utmost to assist one another in all manner possible. The Mayor, Mr Hnrker, reports that offers of assistance —which will certainly he needed —and messages of sympathy are flowing in from all parts or the Dominion. All are greatly appreciated.

Further reports from the country stale that numerous bridges were totally demolished, tremendous slips occurring in some parts. Chimneys and tanks are down, and residences are seriously damaged. The Star is publishing a small bulletin this afternoon. It will be a week before it resumes normally owing to the loss of the linotype. The water supply is now the greatest drawback, but Public Works officers and workmen are working like trojans and the supply will be resumed at the earliest possible moment. Mr Glennie the resident engineer at Napier, is here and the restoration work is under his control, assisted by Mr Smith, the local resident engineer.