FLOOD DISASTERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23067, 18 June 1938, Page 14

FLOOD DISASTERS

COST TO' DOMINION REVIEW BY MR. SEMPLE m l £400,000 FOR HAWKE'S BAY i [by telegeapd—own correspondent] CHRISTOHURCH, Friday Some idea of the cost to the country of the recent major disasters throughout? the Dominion was given to a gathering of local body officials who met the Minister of Transport, the Hon. It. Semple, at Akaroa yesterday. "We have had some terrible knocks recently," said Mr. Semple. "In 24 hours I committed the Government for more than £BO,OOO at the receift Taranaki floods. I had to do it; but £BO,OOO is a lot of money. " Tliat terrible tragedy on the Napier-Gisborne route, where 21 of the best fellows in the world lost their lives, has cost the Government £IOO,OOO. The damage to roads, railways and bridges in the Hawke's Bay floods has already accounted for £400,000, and the full extent of the damage to the farms cannot be known for a long time. " Then, the recent trouble down in the Sounds has cost us a lot. of money, although I cannot say at present what the amount is likely to be. Finally, £18,500 worth of damage was done in the Hauraki Plains in one night," said Mr. Semple.