EARTHQUAKE FUNDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20988, 26 September 1931, Page 10

EARTHQUAKE FUNDS.

DISPOSAL OF MONEY.

COST OF REPAIRING HOUSES.

SUM OF £187,000 IN CREDIT.

PRIME MINISTER'S REVIEW.

[nr TEtEGttAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Friday.

A comprehensive statement of the administration of the Ilawke's Bay earthquake relief funds has been issued by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes.

Mr. Forbos said the funds were being applied towards the relief of distress, the provision of food and clothing, the replacement of household and personal loss and the restoration of homes. In addition it would also be necessary to set aside a sum sufficient to make provision in cases of necessity for those permanently injured and for the dependants of those killed or injured as a result of the disaster.

The relief camps at Napier cost £15,860 and the Palmerston North camps, through which it was estimated 6000 people passed, absorbed £4123. Board, food and clothing supplied to rofugecs oilier than in camps cost £373. Thousands of people had their personal needs attended to by the relief committees in the earthquake area. Generally the cost of this work was met out of funds contributed in the respective districts. Hospital Boards' Work. For some time past the provision of personal relief had by arrangement been attended to by hospital and charitable aid boards. The Hawke's Bay Hospital Board had deall with 769 cases, involving assistance to the extent of £1523. No ono in need of personal assistance as a result of the earthquake had not had his needs supplied. The total amount expended on personal assistance, exclusive of tho cost of relief camps, was £59,853 to date.

Tho committee had granted £4656 for the replacement of furniture, effects, tools, etc. The amount expended from the relief fund for repairs to dwellings was £105,594. The amount which it was estimated would still have to be provided from the relief fund for repairs to houses was £132,845. " Tho most important matter now to receive tho consideration of the central committee," continued Air. Forbes, " is that of permanent provision in cases of necessity for persons permanently injured and for the dependants of persons injured or killed in the disaster, " The sum of £385,373 has been subscribed to the relief iunds and interest at per cent, allowed by the Public Trustee brings the total to £391,877. The amount remaining at tho credit of the relief funds after making the payments referred to, and sundry amounts to hospital boards, etc., is approximately £107,000."

Rehabilitation Committee. Mr. Forbes also referred to the criticism directed at the Rehabilitation Committee on tho score of delay and stated that it must bo realised that the work involved in dealing with the applications received was very considerable. The applications numbered approximately 1100. Tho chairman of the committee, Mr. J. S. Barton, S,M., in a recent statement had said he hoped the work would be substantially completed by the end of the year.

In regard to the question of the publication of details of assistance rendered to applicants, Mr. Forbes stated that it was not intended to publish particulars of assistance granted to individuals, as this was a matter entirely between the Government and the individual or company concerned. A statement showing the disbursement of the fund made available by tho Government would, of course, appear as part of the public accounts.