Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, SEPT. 29, 1932. EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 257, 29 September 1932, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, SEPT. 29, 1932. EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE.

It was a grave misfortune for New Zealand that tlie Hawke’s Bay earthquake should have occurred—if it were bound to as some students of seismology have declared—when the financial and economic crisis was developing acutely. It was doubly unfortunate, however, now that the country is looking for better days ahead, that the East Coast should again have been visited by an earthquake which, though not comparable in its destructive agency as the event of Eebruary, 1931, yet lias caused severe damage, particularly in Wairoa, which was recovering from the effects of the previous disturbance, and in Gisborne. It is the complaint of these two towns that the people as a whole are not evincing- much sympathy in their distress. Residents of Gisborne at a meeting this week passed a resolution requesting “immediate financial assistance’’ from the Government to those who suffered damage, a committee being set up to assess the loss. In a statement issued the same day the Mayor of "VVairoa avers that unless substantial help is forthcoming the position in the district will be most serious. Of approximately £BOO received for relief at Wairoa, twotliirds, the Mayor states, has been donated by Napier and Hastings people, blew Zealanders are deeply sympathetic with the East Coast people in their plight, but the fact that the eai’thquake was not followed by dreaded fire, and there has not been the need to evacuate the citizens of Wairoa, which suffered most, no doubt has made people a little heedless. Another point cannot be overlooked: incomes . have been so sharply contracted in the past twelve months, and there are so many demands in the shape of national and local body taxation, and for local charity, that many are not in a position to give; whereas two years ago they were liberal in their generosity. It is obvious, however, that help should be afforded where absolutely necessary m the restoration of Wairoa and Gisborne and some of the country townships, for the aggregate loss is most severe. The Government has the benefit of Mr Eurlcert’s report covering the damage, which no doubt lias inspired it°to grant immediate help to the Borough Council of Wairoa. The water pipe lines which were fractured by the earth movement are to be repaired, a sum of nearly £IOOO having been allocated for expenditure immediately. A pontoon bridge is also to be built to connect the divided township, until the permanent structure is erected. The Government, again, has given assistance in re-erect-ing chimneys and replacing tanks. A point stressed at the Gisborne meeting is worthy _ of consideration by the authorities. A motion was carried intimating to the Government that the “time had arrived when it should initiate some scheme of earthquake insurance whereby relief could be granted when damage occurred. An investigation should not be out of place, and if the matter were found practicable it no doubt could be adopted. _ Many people would feel assured if they knew that, for a reasonable annual payment, they were insured against earthquake damage. The

recent visitation has been definitely stated to have been part of the great earth movement of 1931, portion of the “settling down” process which accompanies great earthquakes. It will be sincerely hoped that nothing on such a scale will again take place on the East Coast, but that the freedom from seismological disasters enjoyed by this country for a lengthy period will again be the Dominion’s pleasure. The fortitude displayed by the people of Wairoa, Gisborne and otherplaces has been the subject of glowing and well deserved tributes.