EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21247, 29 July 1932, Page 10

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

REHABILITATION COMMITTEE COMPLETION OF WORK ASSISTANCE TO BUSINESSES [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday The work of tho Hawke's Bay Rehabilitation Committee, set up under the Hawke's Bay Earthquake Act of 1931, has been completed, and a report containing a survey of tho committee's work, which included consideration of 1549 applications for assistance to tho extent o £2,159,422, has been submitted to the Government, according to a statement by the Primo Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. N * " It is not at present possible to indicate the total amov-at of assistance given to tho applicants," r,<iid Mr. Forbes, but this information'will be available for submission to Parliament at the forthcoming session." Members of the Rehabilitation Committee were:—Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., borough* commissioner, Napier (chairman), Messrs. G. Shirtcliffe, of Wellington, W. Waddell, of Wellington, W. G. Sherrett, of Gisborne, and E. H. Wright, of Wanganui. The first meeting was held in Wellington, commencing on May 26, 1931, and 11 meetings have been held in all, involving 40 sitting days. Five meetings were held in • Hawke's Bay and six in Wellington. At the inaugural meeting the committee drew up rules of procedure and defined the general lines of its policy. It then fixed July 15 as the closing date for the reception of applications, but found it necessary to extend this time subsequently. By direction of the Minister of Finance, April 30, 1932, was fixed as tho final closing date. All applications submitted had been carefully considered, Mr. Forbes said, and tho committee recommended assistance in all approved cases to an amount sufficient, in its opinion, to 'ensure a reasonable basis of rehabilitation if carefully and wisely applied. Tho committee had been kept advised from time to time of collateral work done under the Hawke's Bay Earthquake Act by the Adjustment Court, and had also been in close touch with the Earthquake Relief Committee which administered the fund of voluntary subscriptions. Tho relief committee met practically all claims for maintenance, food and clothing, hospital and medical expenses, essential repairs to dwellings up to a maximum of £IOO in each case, and pensions for dependants of persons killed and for those permanently incapacitated by the earthquake. The Rehabilitation Committee had therefore been able to confine its attention principally to the rehabilitation of businesses. In concluding its report, thfe committee expressed appreciation of the valuable assistance afforded it by Government departments in investigating claims and furnishing relative valuations and other reports. This applied more particularly to two valuers stationed at Napier, Messrs. Buckingham and McClintock. Special mention was also made regarding Messrs. F. N. Mitchell and C. J. Atkin, of the Treasury, for their services as. secretaries of the committee. . .••• -• '