EXODUS FROM DESTROYED REGIONS FULL OF PERIL

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6945, 26 June 1929, Page 7

EXODUS FROM DESTROYED REGIONS FULL OF PERIL

Pathetic Pilgrimages REFUGEES DECLARE THEY WILL NEVER GO BACK After days of isolation amid indescribable suroundings, the people of the valleys beyond Murchison had to run the gauntlet of many perils before they reached the refugees' camp in the township. They presented a pathetic picture. Fear is expressed that heavy rain now falling will cause further landslides. The tremors generally arc diminishing, though Glenhope reports four distinct shakes yesterday.

Electrical Storms, Snow, ’Quakes and Detonations YESTERDAY’S RECORD. TREMORS BECOME MORE SEVERE THAN LATTERLY. Per Press Association. •WELLINGTON, Last Night. The General Post Office reports that in consequence of slips in tho vicinity of Otira, lino interruptions have been experienced and traffic for Greymouth, Westport and other West Coast offices is subject to delay. Radio communication is still being maintained with Westport and traffic is being disposed of by that means. The postmaster at Glenhope reports: “Heavy, rain fell overnight and snow is falling to-day. Shocks were experienced last night, showing more frequency and being slightly stronger. The roads are still blocked by slips at the Owen river.”

Murchison’s New Community Life WHERE MONEY HAS NO VALUE. NOTHING TO BUY, BUT NOBODY IS IN WANT. A community unique in tho Dominion is to be found at Murchison today, writes the special correspondent of tho Lyttelton Times. Here are about fifty men and five woman living a communal life, with an earthquake every hour or so and deep rumblings' and roarings going on in tho hills night and day. They aro busy endeavouring to get the stricken township back to normal, and to make residents and visitors alike feel that, despite the evil times which have befallen the citizens, thcro is hope for the future. Murchison is the one town in the Dominion to-day in which money is of no value. Thero is nothing that can be bought, but no one is allowed to go without the necessities of life. An emergency committee rules tho town, and its unwritten laws aro as effective as the most stringent code. The only rules are those concerning the food supply and they are most strictly observed.

The pdstmaster at Murchison reports: “It was a very rough night here last night, with intenso electrical disturbances, heavy rain and snow lies very low on the ranges. The detonations were slightly moro severe than yesteroay and th'c rivers are slightly above normal, but there is no cause for anxiety. ,The Glcnhope-Murchison road is not yet opened.” The postmaster at Takaka reports: “ Slight tremors continued throughout yesterday and four heavy shocks were experienced through, the night at the following times: 11.26 p.m., 1.30 a.m„ 4.10 a.m. and 7.15 a.m., each being preceded by loud rumblings, apparently from a W.S.W. direction. It is raining.”.

' Everyone lives in tho open or in sheds and verandahs. Some are living in a score of tents which have been erected, but these will not be fully occupied until the 37 refugees arrive from Mid-Maruia. These people arc camped in the bash, tho women and children being housed in a rough bush hut, while the menfolk are spending the night in the open in pouring rain.

Women and Children are Leaving Westport AIRPLANE PCR KARAMEA. WESTPORT, Last Night. Earthquakes have been felt at varying intervals throughout the day and this evening but have not greatly disturbed the people. Many however, mostly women, aro leaving by Arahura to-night for Wellington. Hon. J. G. Coates mado a tour of Westport to-day, inspecting tho damage and from the balcony of the Victoria theatre, gave an address, in which he stated sufferers by the 'quakes had the heartfelt sympathy of people in all other parts of the Dominion. He commended them for the brave way in which they had stood up to their trials and assured them that the various political parties would heartily join with tho government in any action taken for their relief. Mr. G. C. Black M.P., who had arrived with Arahura, inspected the damage in the town ,the Lower Buller Gorge and Inangahua Junction and stated that the destruction in luangahua was nothing like so severe as in tho Murchison district. Mr Black leaves with Captain Burrell by aeroplane for Karamea to-morrow morning, carrying with him the following message from tho Prime Minister: “On the occasion of your visiting Karamea today, I desire to express through you to the residents and settlers of tho district, the deep sympathy of nivuSlf ami my colleagues in the very trying and distressing experiences they have gone through. ■ I believe that, in common with other inhabitants of the afflicted area they have borne their sufferings with great fortitude and have faced the position with the same spirit which characterised the pioneers in overcoming the difficulties of the early days.”

75 Murchison Refugees - Entrain for the Citj SURVEY PARTY’S INSPECTION. WARNING THAT THERE IS NO WORK IN NELSON. NELSON, Last Night. Seventy-five Murchison refugees got through to Glenhope late this afternoon and came on to town by special train this evening. Police and the Post and Telegraph staff and a few others are remaining in the district. The Pnblic Works engineer, Mr. L. May, accompanied by two members of the Government survey party, left Nelson this afternoon to walk through from Murchison to Rcefton via Matakitaki and Maruia. The trip is being made in order to inspect the MurchisonReefton main highway and to ascertain what will be required to put it in order for traffic. The walk is expected to take about five days. In the Maruia valley, precisely tho same thing has happened as took place in Matakitaki. Tho Maniia river has been blocked by a huge landslide and has backed up. The waters formed a new lake before overflowing.

In describing what has happened to a Mail reporter, Mr. May said that the lower blockage in the Maruia consists of a large sandstone slide about one and a-half miles in length and extending about half-way across the valley. The depth of the slip overlying the old river bed is about 200 feet. The rivei has been permanently diverted and is cutting a new course through a gravel terrace along the new course taken by the river. There now remains only about 10 feet thickness of gravel abovo the underlying sandstone. It is im‘probable that the river will cut down into the sandstone to any extent at present. The levoi of the lake is about 30 feet above the old river level. The Maruia river bridge near the point is high and dry and no rain water is likely to flow under it again. Mr. Boss, officer in charge of the Labour department at Nelson, states that quite a number of unskilled men have arrived from the North Island under the mistaken impression that plenty of work is available in Nelson on account of the earthquake damage. A few bricklayers have been placed, but as far as unskilled workmen are concerned, they are not required at present. There are about 70 men registered at the bureau. Mr. Boss desires to warn outsiders that no work is available for them in Nelson at present.

Karamea has. been, isolated since Saturday. On Friday, Mr. McLean County chairman, came Out of the settlement and Mr. Black will be the first to go in. Mr. Stuart arrived in Westport last night from Karamea via Corby Vale and reports all the women and children of Corby Vale are anxious to evacuate the settlement. Mr Black has wired the Prime Minister, asking that the Public Works department send out a rescue gang to cut tracks. The P. and T. department has arranged for a wireless transmitting sol to be forwarded from Wellington for installation at Karamea. Advice was received that Mr. Bean, who was isolated on Mr. Tait’s farm, 16 miles above Seddouville, has been reached by a rescue party, which reports All well. The rescuers had a terrible time iu the afflicted zone. Sir Joseph Ward has authorised Mr J3laek to distribute £2OO for food, clothing and temporary housing. Inquiries are being made of deserving eases in Karamea and also among the Marina refugees, who have reached Eeefton. Mr. H. E. Holland M.P. has been advised that the Bank of New Zealand has subscribed £IOOO to the renewal earthquake fund. Advice was also received to-day that the Westport Coal Coy. and the U.S.S. Co. have each donated £SOO to the West Coast relief fund.

At a meeting of the Citizens' Belief committee to-day. Councillor GHjs)s, in referring to the statement of tho|Primc Minister as to funding all contributions and setting up a commission to administer them, objected to the suggested course. Further discussion was adjourned till next meeting. 8

General Rains Over West Coast District

POSTMASTER’S REPORT,

MURCHISON REFUGEES NUMBER EIGHTY-EIGHT

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Post and Telegraph department lias been advised as follows by the Postmaster at Murchison:—“S p.m.: Shakes and detonations continue. No change in the rivers and there is still no cause for alarm. Eighty-eight refugees left for Nelson to-day. Tho weather is showery.” From the Chief Postmaster, West-port:—-“7 p.m.: A very quiet night and day with a few minor tremors. Weather conditions are bad. Heavy showers fell all day and arc still continuing.” Auckland Relief Funds Total £7OOO HARBOUR BOARD GIVES £SOO. AUCKLAND, Last Night, The New Zealand Herald’s earthquake relief fund now stands at £376!) the Mayor of Auckland’s fund at £1026 and tho Auckland Star’s fund at £IOS7. The Auckland Harbour board to-day decided to donate £SOO. Settlers From Maruia Arrive in Murchison PERILOUS JOURNEY. , PEOPLE DECLARE THEY WILL NEVER GO BACK MURCHISON, June 23. Admitted by all to be the most pathetic sight they ever saw, the people of Murchison stood by silently when 31 residents of Maruia arrived here this afternoon. Thcro was no cheering, no demonstration of any kind, but warm handshakes and quietly spoken greetings were exchanged. The men of Murchison stood by with tears in their eyes, for the sceno was one to play on the emotions of the strongest. Motor cars had been sent out to meet the rescued and the rescuers and they were brought over the last three miles of their journey by this means. As they got out of the cars some of tho women and children had to be supported Caked with mud from head to foot, their eyes bleary and red from loss o 1 sleep and constant anxiety, they wore a sorry sight. Mrs. M’Wha, who refused to leave Murchison till her sons, who had gone out with tho rescue party, returned, had hot water ready and a hot wash was provided immediately the pcoplo arrived. In an open shed all removed as much mud as possible and dry socks were issued by the emergency committee. Mr. Dave Mann, who has toiled in a canvas cookhouse over an open fire night and day for a week, had a good hot three course meal ready for them. Cripple Carried in Chair.

Tho rcscuo party of 14 left Murchison beforo dawn on Friday morning to bring these people in and another party went out with stimulants and medical supplies this morning to meet them on the road. Tho rescue party went to the homes of the people and the farthest point reached was 27 miles from Murchison. They gathered up the people, and early yesterday morning started out on tho return journey, bringing with them all the inhabitants of the valley. One old man. Mr. O’Brien, is a cripple, and ho had to be carried in a chair for a portion of tho distance, being able to walk only over roaded sections. Four of the rescue party carried his chair on poles over slips paid through rough mountain tracks. Eight children of ages from three to 12 were in tho party, and these, with the exception, of the youngest two, who were carried all the way by the rescuers, walked the greater part of tho distance. A man of 76 years, Mr. Roberts, and his wife walked the wholo distance, climbing spurs and sliding faces and keeping up with the younger people. Mrs. O’Brien mado a pathetic picture, arriving at the camp with no stockings, her legs covered with mud atfrl her possessions in a swag on her back, A Mile An Hour. Tho party slept lass night at MeMahon’s hut, eight miles from Murchison, on a bush track. The women were inside and the men lay on tlia open ground outside with a big wood fire to give some heat. Some rest was obtained until 3 a.m., when all were awakened by this morning's big shako. When tho shock had nearly subsided the whole hillside half a mile from the camp slipped away, giving those who AVere out in the open a terrible fright. Little sleep was obtained from then on, all waiting anxiously for dawn. Before this enmo they had to go through another big shake, and again heard rocks and landslides occur around them. No one knew hut that portiou of the hill on which they were camped might he caught by all destroying force and swept away. Tho last live miles to the waiting motor cars took as many hours, to cover, and it was a truly pathetic-look-ing party that arrived at the camp wet and haggard, the children blue with cold. The rescued could speak in nothing but glowing terms of the rescue party. One man, Mr. Bagley, carried a 00pound pack, and yet when it came to a particularly steep faco of rock and torn and twisted trees he took a child ou top of his pack and clambered to the summit of the rise.

Tho party were loth to talk of their experiences during a week of horror, but tho description of one man fits it. “It was hell," was all he would say. Members of tho party reported that four farms wero under water. Most of the farmers wero able to let their stock go and feed for themselves, but .it, Gibson's, where fatalities occurred last Monday, 19 pedigree cows were caught in a huge outburst from the hillside. Will Never Go Back. Most of tho people declare that they will never enter the valley again. Mrs. James, who came out with her husband and four young children, said she would not go back in any circumstances. It was too terrifying, and the grim associations of the valley could not be

erased from her mind. She intended going to a relative's place, and her husband would go back later and bring out the stock. As for the farm, it was mostly under water, and the rest would be abandoned. Heavy rain began to fall soon after the last car load of refugees was brought into Murchison, and this added to the discomforts of those who had made such a perilous and unnerving trip. Enin is what the emergency committee is most afraid of, as, if moisture gets into the hills, grave danger exists of the only road outlet to Nelson being blocked. The road is cut along hillsides, and in places already seems to be in a precarious condition. In view of this, Mr. Bert Spiers, the local garage proprietor, who is in charge of all tho available transport in the district, arranged for a special train to run today from Nelson to Glenliope, and refugees and many others who wished to go were packed into cars and lorries and taken there. They will arrive at Nelson late to-night.

There still are about 20 families in the Tutaki district, and a rescue party left to-day to bring them out. The distance is only eight miles, but a track has to be cut through slips and over moving faces, and it may be to-morrov) before the people arrive at the relief camp,-