PUBLIC SERVICES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20793, 9 February 1931, Page 14

PUBLIC SERVICES.

PROBLEMS AND PROGRESS.

THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM -

REPORT BY ENGINEER/-

POWER AND FOOD SUPPLIES.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] PALMERSTON NORTH, Sunday.

The citizens' relief committee at Napier held a further meeting yesterday to discuss the problems confronting the town. The chairman of the Hospital Board, Mr. C. E. Morse, presided, and among those present were tlio Hon. J. G. Gobbc, Minister of Defence, the Hon. A. J. fatallworthy, Minister of Health, Commodore Geoffrey Blake, Mr. W. E. Barnard, M.P., Mr. J. Vigor Brown, Mayor of Napier, Dr. T. McKibbin, of the Health Department, Mr. F. W. Furkert, Engi-neer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department, and Mr. W. G. Wohlmann, Commissioner of Police.

The chairman announced that an offer had been received from a South Island education board to continue the education of secondary school children. A special committee will meet to-morrow to consider the offer, and the educational problem generally. In reply to Mr. Barnard, who said it was very desirable that there should be uniformity in payment for demolition and reconstruction work, Mr. Cobbe said the Government was now considering this matter. A representative of the Treasury would discuss the question with the secretary of the committee, Mr. R. Girling Butcher. The work of clearing the streets would be paid for on the same basis as a public works job. Survey Parties at Work. Reports from sub-committees dealing with drainage and water supply showed that good progress was being made. The Wanganui City engineer, Mr. J. S. E. Deen, reporting regarding the sewerage system, said a temporary service could be secured as soon as a water supply was obtained. Most of the sewage in the town area could be disposed of by gravitation. Survey parties had taken levels through the town for domestic drainage and an investigation was being made to find to what height the coast had risen. As soon as watei was available doctors would make a house-to-house investigation, authorising the reinstatement of the service where possible' and prohibiting from use those services which could not be repaired without heavy expenses. Reservoirs supplying the city * with water were all badly damaged, and would have to be used with care. Temporary repairs had been carried out and the reservoirs were now partly filled to secure a temporary supply. The artesian well system also had been badly damaged and the water would b6 chlorinated. Hot fresh water had been supplied in the municipal baths, and hot showers were available free of charge. ■A motion was carried thanking those responsible for restoring the water and sewerage services. Food supplies were reported to be ample. The town was even faced with a surplus of foodstuffs, and there might be difficulty in disposing of them. Nevertheless, the precaution had been taken to obtain further supplies from Wellington should the town run short. Electric-Power Services. Electric-power was being gradually restored and reticulation extended slowly. Nothing could be done in the southern portion of the borough for some time, as the roads were damaged. A denial was given to the rumour that meat was going bad at the Whakatu freezing works. It was stated that a temporary supply of electric-power was available from the Tomoana freezing works, and a permanent supply would be ready tomorrow.

Lighting was now supplied to the railway station and the new hospital at the Jockey Club's grounds.

The advisability of opening a new free food depot was discussed. It was stated that 1500 indigent persons were in camp at Jvelson Park, but the workmen engaged in demolition required a food depot of their own. The question of erecting a permanent mcssroom at Nelson Parkwas referred to the Health Department. Captain E. H. Finlayson, officer in charge of the evacuation, said'now that ample accommodation was provided at Palmerston North for refugees, no one ■officially evacuated from the devastated region would be carried free on the railways beyond Palmerston North unless they could give a definite assurance that they were going to friends or relatives and proper provision was made for them to be met at the train and cared for afterwards. Difficulty was being experienced because unofficial mediums were interesting themselves in the evacuation movement. I his was destroying organisation. Captain Finlayson estimated the number of persons evacuated at over 5000.

Owing to supplies running short in certciin country areas the polico are introducing special messengers to cope with the position.

PLIGHT OF W AIR OA.

MAILS BY AEROPLANE.

LAKE WAIKAREMOANA SAFE

[RY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] GISBORNE, Sunday.

Another earthquake in Wairoa at 1.50 this afternoon made the bridge, on the road to Gisborne impassable, even for pedestrian traffic. The bridge is 210 yds. long and comprises ( tree wooden and four truss spans. There are several sets of sleel cylinders supporting (he bridge and those were not seriously affected by Tuesday's shako, but the wooden piers slipped, causing the bridge to sag badly. One of (he steel cylinders was split by to-day's shock. The edge of the river has slipped about 2ft. and a largo crack runs right along the bank. The route to Napier is blocked.

Mails are being brought to Wairoa by aeroplane and it is hoped to restore telegraphic and telephonic communication shortly. The water supply, which had been maintained by tanks mounted on lorries, has been restored, and electric power is also available. No damage has been done at f,a ke Wai ka remoana.

business is being crried on, but under unusual conditions, the principal transactions being in foodstuffs. There is no shortage of food. The commercial part of the town is ruined and the community is crippled financially. A great deal of help will be required for restoration.