EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20827, 20 March 1931, Page 14

EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE.

Sir, —The Government proposes further "special" taxation to guarantee property owners against future earthquake risks. Why not let them pay the additional insurance and guard themselves J The companies are there to do business. Why should the country provide another fund in these hard times, a fund which may never be required. Such a catastrophe as that at Napier is not likely to recur, that is, with so much damage by lire,: as few towns are no closely built. It is well known that artesian water sit high pressure, ,js exists at Napier and the surrounding district, accentuates seismic destruction to an alarming extent. A Water bed of this kind under the surface easily accounts for the, violent local movement. Everyone agrees that all help should be given, from the Consolidated Fund, to tho stricken inhabitants®* in their unprecedented calamity, but no sum that can be provided would make good all the damage. The Government has done right in putting an engineer in charge of the* town, and revision of the model by-laws is long overdue, but cast iron by-laws of universal application are apt to* become oppressive. The best safeguard is a properly qualified engineer to supervise the district. The Municipal Corporations Act provides for such, capable of advising onfall construction, dangerous cliffs, etc., and, where by-laws are at fault, suggesting amendments to tho council. The power is thus already in the hands of the municipal authority, whieh is easily accessible to ratepayers. This is as it should be, and there is no need for panic legislation. Pack Saddle.