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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 28 June 1929, Page 5

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MURCHISON RESIDENTS MEET GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE SOUGHT TO RESTORE HOMES AND ROADS In addition to the report appearing in “The Mail” of yesterday of the meeting of Murchison residents at the Municipal Chambers, further business was transacted before the meeting dissolved. In reply to the Mayor Mr Fraser said it would be impossible for the County Council to do very much in opening up the roads. A Maruia settler said it would be impossible to open up roads in the Maruia Valley in time to allow stock to be got out; Tracks would have to be made through private property in order , to make this possible. It was very unlikely that any of the roads in the Valley would be ever used again. He wished to know whether the Government would any expenditure that might be made in this connection. COUNTY COUNCIL EXPENDITURE Mr J. Robertson said the people did not realise' the calamity to the roads in the Maruia. Except, for minor work'he did not think the Council would be justified in spending its money on restoring the roads. ! The Mayor said he was absolutely confident that anything the Murchison Council undertook would be endorsed by the Government. He advised the Couneii to go on with the essential work. -RESOLUTIONS CARRIED '■ i. • ‘ ;:\ ■ i, ■ ,i,c.: The following resolutions, copies of which were later sent to the Hon. H. Atmore, M.P., were passed:— “That the Government be asked to immediately establish relief camps where required so as to engage all available Murchison, residents who are anxious to return for the purpose of opening up the road from Glenhope to Murchison.” - , i ' “That the Government be requested to commission the Public Works Department to restore all homes in , the township of, Murchison as rapidly as possible.” ... “That this meeting of Murchison residents respectfully urges the Government to make available a hum of money sufficient for the restoration of Murchison county roads and that; a progress authority for the expenditure of £IOOO be issued forthwith to the Murchison County Council. We trust you will handle these matters as expeditiously as possible.” , v A further resolution was carried thanking the-Mayor for the work he had done. ’ ‘ Sitting ns the Relief Committee at the conclusion of the City Council meeting last evening, it was resolved to inform Mr Hugh Fraser, clerk to the Murchison County Council, that the committee would appreciate his advice if he saw fit to. remain in Nelson a. few days longer before returning to Murchison. CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS Before the usual business of the City Council commenced last evening the following resolutions were earned on the motion of the .Mavor (Mr W. J. Moffatt): "That letters of condolence and sympathy be sent to the relatives of those ’ settlers in Murchison who lost their lives in the recent earthquake.” “That sympathy be expressed to the Murchison County Council through the devastation caused by the earthquake in its district.” The first. resolution was carried in silence,. members standing meanwhile. SETTLERS WHO STAYED ALL HAD CHANCE TO COME AWAY ■ In reply to a question at the meeting of Murchison residents yesterday afternoon as to settlers left in the Tutaki Valley, Mr B. F. Spiers, who was in charge of the transport at Murchison during the evacuation, stated that every settler in the district had been given the chance to come away with the relief parlies that went out.* Those who stayed did so of their own free will. In the Tutaki about 20 settlers remained. ! BRITISH GRIT An illustration of the splendid spirit animating the Murchison womenfolk came under the notice of a pressman today. “1 want to get back,” a'woman was overheard to remark to a wellknown Murchison man who had seen the earthquake through. She was told that the road to her home was blocked. "Oli” she laughingly replied, “we can use horses.” She, pleaded not to ho stopped. and stated she had already made arrangement to board two of her children in town until such time a's conditions were such that the family could again be united. Cadet Moreland, of Murchison Post Office, has gone back to the township to stand bv and render assistance to the police officers in connection with the 1 telephone.