HAWKE’S BAY EARTHQUAKE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21254, 7 February 1931, Page 12

HAWKE’S BAY EARTHQUAKE.

THE KILLED AND MAIMED.

OFFICIAL CASUALTY LIST. LENGTHY LIST OF INJURED. While the list of those admitted to the Napier field hospital and the Palmerston North Hospital is of formidable dimensions, a satisfactory feature of this morning’s news is that there is comparatively little extension of the list of deaths. Moreover, many of the injured appear to be making r good progress towards

recovery. OFFICIAL DEATH LISTS. NAPIER AND HASTINGS ROLL. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 6. The following is the official list of those buried in Napier in one common <?rave, i total of 59: — Mrs HAYNES. Mrs SMITH. JOHN DAVIDSON. Mr PLANK. Sir BONNOR. Mrs L. T. BISSON. Mr KYLE. Miss BENNETT. BASHER (a schoolboy). JOHN STEVENS. Mrs P. LENIHAN. Mrs BURROWS. THOMAS MEEK. DERRICK FREEDMAN.

Mrs C. H. BICKERSTAFF. Mrs BLACKBURNE. ELSIE KEYS. ROSE LEVERETT. Mr STEAD. Mr M‘ARTHUR. Mr RHODES. Mr ASKWELL. Mrs H. VOYCE. Mrs ELLISON. ALEX. WATSON. L. GOLDSMITH. Mrs SKELTON. MARTHA ETHERIDGE. R. COLIN HEATH. Miss M‘KIE. J. M'CARTHY. P. J. PEARSON. EDWARD HANSEN. JOHN DWYER. EDWARD COLTON. ARTHUR WILSON. J. H. WATSON. MICHAEL CUDDEHY. CHARLES SKINNER.

JAMES SAUNDERS. ANDREW WATSON. DANIEL STEWART. J. RAE. G. BROWN. The following were buried privately:— F. M. BOYD. Miss BROWN. Nurse E. WILLIAMS. Nurse INSULL. Sister MITCHELL. Ten unidentified. Additional Napier names are as follows: — THOMAS MEEK, elderly, Waghorne street. LLOYD RHODES, aged 151, son of Robert Rhodes, Faraday street, Technical School boy. ELEANOR PALLISON, aged 20, body taken to Palmerston North, killed in hospital. MARY BOLLINGS, elderly woman, previously reported as Margaret Patience, widow, of Hastings, was in hospital. THE HASTINGS LIST. Additions to the official Hastings death list: — Mrs EMMA CLARA COCKERILL, Heretaunga street, Hastings. WILLIAM BARTLE, Lascelles street, Hastings (died of injuries). THOMAS COOK, Hastings. Mrs HORSELEY, widow, Southampton street, Hastings, who was to have been married 1 next week. Mrs T. H. CULSHAW. Miss L. CULSHAW. The following are officially missing:— Mrs A. C. ELLIS, supposed to be in or about Cosy Theatre. Mrs SARAH BARRETT, aged 56, Waghorne street, Napier. WELLINGTON, February 6. Mr C. W. BADLEY, a director of Robjohns, Hindmarsh, and Co., Napier, reported as having died, is in Wellington Hospital with a fractured thigh. WANGANUI, February 6. ERIC BARKER, Hastings, the boy who was reported missing, is in Wanganui Hospital progressing well from burns to his back.

ORDER SLOWLY BEING RESTORED. FURTHER EVACUATION UNNECESSARY. '■sc —— CO-ORDINATION OF RELIEF EFFORTS, • IT - ' ' CENTRAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED. (Per United Press Association.) DANNEVIRKE, February 6. In an official statement of the position in Napier Mr E. A. Ransom and Mr R. Masters to-day said to a News reporter, after detailing the relief measures inaugurated by the Government:— “ The whole of the organisation is now working very smoothly and efficiently, and in the main every provision has been made, so far as is humanly possible, to feed and care for the people in the stricken area. We understand that announcements have been made regarding the compulsory evacuation of Napier and Hastings. That is contrary to fact, for no order has been given to the people to leave Napier or Hastings, although it was felt desirable to get some of the women and children away from Napier because the water supply and drainage system had failed. Evacuation, therefore, is optional, but a large number of people are anxious to get away as soon as possible because of the fear of further disturbances and because minor shakes and tremors are still being experienced. The position in regard to Hastings is somewhat different, because the water supply and drainage there are intact, and there is. therefore, no necessity for the people to leave. As the people of Hastings in many cases were desirous of returning to their homes to restore the damage, the Government made arrangements for tents to be supplied to those who desired them and who would camp, in many cases, on their own properties. On Wednesday night we provided 1500 tents to afford shelter for urgent cases in Napier, where the people were camped on the beach. “The statement that martial law is in ’force at Napier and Hastings is quite contrary to fact. Our organisation for the control of the situation at Napier is working very smoothly, and a special committee, of which the Commissioner of Police (Mr W. G. Wohlmann) is chairman, is doing admirable work. Without wishing to individualise in any way, we feel that we should make some special reference to the work that has been undertaken by the navy, under Commodore Blake. These men have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into every class of work which they have been called upon to undertake, from policing the town to* removing bodies from the debris and the provisioning of the people. Their work and behaviour have been simply magnificent, upholding the best traditions of the British Navy. “We would also like, on behalf of the Government, to express appreciation of the magnificent and wonderful work carried out by the doctors, nurses, hospital board members, automobile associations, and private individuals generally. “ The Prime Minister has sent for us to return to Wellington with a view to advising him as to the whole position, particularly in regard to the financial responsibility of the Government. We have no doubt that a Cabinet meeting will be called on our return, after which a general statement of the policy of the Government in reference to financial assistance to the sufferers will be made by the Prime Minister.* “Our chief fear in regard to the position at Napier was the possibility of an epidemic breaking out. The whole position has been well taken in hand by the Health Department, under the supervision of Dr Watt, who, in co-operation with an officer of the Defence Department, is making the necessary arrangements in the matter of sanitation. •• - v ■ . . ... - , ■ . I • ’ ■ “While we deplore the calamity which has overtaken Hawke’s Bay and the great loss of life, we think that the casualties will not exceed 200. Considering the severity o( the disturbance, the marvel is that the casualties are not greater.” Mr Coates, Mr Ransom, and Mr Masters to-day inspected the base camp at Palmerston North and the relief organisation, warm praise being expressed by Mr Ransom, who denied that martial law had been declared in the stricken area. The evacuation of Napier had not been demanded, although it was highly desirable that the people should leave owing to the breakdown of the sanitation system through the lack of water. It is hoped to have the service restored soon The pipes are functioning along the Marine Parade. The work of clearing the debris had been undertaken y t e Works Department. * • , Mr Ransom is returning to Wellington to confer with Mr Forbes as to Government action. Ihe organisation at - Napier was wonderful, he said, and' great work had been done, at the base hospital. “The Veronica is not actually stranded.” said Mr Ransom, “but it is doubtful whether she will be able to get out. The depth of water off the coast is continually changing. “ I regard the whole thing,” he added, “as a national responsibility. The loss to the community is so great that it is impossible to expect rehabilitation without very generous financial assistance by the Government. e amount epen s upon Cabinet’s decision, but it will be sufficient with the public contributions to meet the case.” The Minister of Defence (Mr J. G. Cobbe), in a telegram to the Prime Minister to-day, said it would not be necessary to make any further evacuation from Napier or Hastings. Ample food supplies were available and reasonable accommodation was being supplied for all.

GRISLY SECRET OF RUINS. EIGHT BODIES RECOVERED. SYSTEMATIC SEARCH IN PROGRESS. (Peb United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 6. Steady progress is being made with the search for bodies in the ruins of Hastings. Six gangs are at work systematically clearing debris from the business area. To-day eight bodies were recovered, those identified being; ARTHUR L. RYAN, journalist, found in the post office lobby. ALBERT GOODALL, a signwriter. near Grand Hotel. Mrs C. ELLIS, found near Cosy Theatre. Master L. FREDSBERG, from Roach’s. Ltd. Miss MABEL ORR has been identified as one of the bodies recovered from Roach’s yesterday. TNlrs A. H. WING, a Chinese, and Mrs TUOHY, Seddon street, both previously reported killed, are alive. The body identified as Mrs A. IT. Wing is believed to bo that of Mrs MCDONALD. There arc five bodies, the identification of which is almost impossible, four female and one the sex of which is not ascertainable, though it is believed to be that of J. TONKIN, whose death was vouched for yesterday by Mr Harold Roach. One of the female bodies is believed to be that of Miss GLADYS FARMERY, also an employee at Roach’s, Ltd. Tiie police received word from Waipukurau that W. HUNT, who w*as injured near the Trades Hall in Karamu road, Hastings, and who was removed to Waipukurau, has died. INJURED. The following patients were treated in the Napier field hospital:— Anderson, Willie, Bay View, concussion; Allen, Muriel, care public hospital, appendicitis, not serious, Otanc; Anderson, Miss, Waipukurau; Andrew, J. H„ Waipukurau; Anderson, Miss, matron, Park Island Home; Arrowsmith, Mrs, Waipukurau.

Beach, Mable, Greenmeadows; Boodle, George, Napier; Bader, Eric, Otane; Barnett, Mrs, Waipukurau; Berry, Mrs, Waipukurau; Belgrave,' Waipukurau; Burrows, P. C., Waipukurau; Baker, Otane; Berry, Mrs, Otane; Bullen, Bucklow, Napier; Badley, Charles W., Greenmeadows. fractured femur; Bickerstaff, Miss, 0 Faraday street, Napier; Bucklow. Mrs, Napier; Barker, Park Island: Bond. Park Island; Bates, Park Island; Bruce, Otane; Beck, Mrs, 6G Wellesley road; Brown, Ken, Clive; Bruisy, Captain, Waipukurau; Bartlett. Mrs, Otane; Bartlett (baby), Otane; Bradshaw,-Thomas, Park Island Home. Carroll, Laura, Public Hosptail. Napier, paralysis; Cleaver, Tom, Park Island, fractured leg: Collie, Tom, Park Island, head injury; Clifford, Arthur, Allen street, Napier, abrasions; Collin, James, 3 Hastings street, Hastings, appendicitis; Connelly, Annie Havelock road, Hastings; Cole, Mrs. Otane; Campbell, Ruby, Otane; Campbell, Mrs 8., Wellington: Chatraway, Mrs, Otane; Chcstcrnian. Nurse, Waipukurau; Campbell,—, Waipukurau; Campbell, Carver. Lawrence; Cullen, Beryl, Otane; Connelly, Annie, Havelock road, Hastings; Garrick, Park Island; Courtney (baby), Waipukurau; Connor, Thames, Goldsmith road, Napier; Canfield, —, Park Island; Cutwick. Sister, Dannevirke; Curran, Winifred, Shortlands, Marine parade; Campbell, Mrs B. Durable, Dorothy, Meeane; Denehy, Miss, Waipukurau; Douglas, Phyllis, Otane; Drower, Fred, Park Island Home; Dean, John, discharged; Dobby, Parke Island Home; Davis. T., Park Island Home; Dick, W., Park Island Home; Drinnan, 11. Dorlt (baby). Otane; Denholm, Mrs A., Puekora; Deane, J., Otane; Donaldson, Park Island Home; Donnelly. John, Hastings. Escrcet, Mrs; Eagle. Mrs M., Shamrock street; Edward, Richard. Park Island; Ellis, Miss G.. Pukoora; Ercott, Miss, Foster, Jack. Park Island; Foster. Walter, 14 Station street, Frew, Mrs, Waipukurau; Furnlcy. Jean, care Mrs Perry, Otaria; Finnan, Denny, Waipukurau, Fyffe, Hastings Memorial Home; Fannin, Mrs, Waipukurau. Guthrie, Lawrence Clive, head and back injured: Goodwin. Mrs. Otane; George, TL 13., Waipukurau; Gwyn (twin babies), Waipukurau* Gillies. Waipukurau; Gordon, Park Island Home; Gibson, Mrs. Eskdale; Gray. Mrs W., Pukeora; Gould, Park Island Home; Grundy, Park Island Horae; Gill. M. Park Island Home; Grant. Mrs, Waipukurau; George, H. B„ Park Island Home; Gibson, W., Park Island Home. Holmes, Ida May. 106 Lovedale road, Hastings, crushed; Harris, Ruby, 35 Latham street, cut foot; Higgins, Nonna, small child, father at Waipukurau Sanatorium; Howard. Mrs S. F„ Church road, Taradale, head and body injuries; Hounsell, Otane; Hayward, Otane; Hawkins, Miss Annie, Otane; Henderson, Mrs. Waipukurau; Hale, Hamilton E. C., 49 Dickons street; Hughes, Park Island Homo; Hewlett, Park Island Home; Hands. W„ Park Island Homo; Honeysaid, Park Island Home; Hitchman, Mrs, Waipukurau; Heather, Waipukurau; Hill. Miss M., 10 Wellesley road, Hastings; Harris, Sam, Waipukurau; Howden, 11., Waipukurau; Henry, Otane; Hawkings, Miss; Hansen, Mrs; Hayes, Thomas, 160 M'Grnth street, Napier; Hasted, Mrs; Hohanson, Fred, Haumoana. Jensen, Mrs Job Fred, 31 Shakespeare road; Johnston, Park Island Homo; Jones, E., Park Island Home; Jury (baby), Waipukurau. Kemp, Trevor, Hamilton; Kuckley, James, 800 Sylvan road, Hastings, fractured femur; Kyle, John. Long, Irene, Otane. Libby, Mrs, Otane; Laurie, Jane; Leonard, Larkin, Palmerston North; Lowell. Leahy, Park Island Homo; Lee, \V„ Waipukurau; Ladbrook, Otane. Murrow, S., Napier; Mannings, Claude

(small child), Hastings; Mendelssohn, Mrs, 6 Madeira steps; M'Neil, Henry, Wairoa; M'Nalty, Otane; Martin, Mr, Waipukurau; Madigan, Mrs, Waipukurau; M'Leod, John, Grand Hotel, Hastings; APLeod, WLatson, Mrs, Havelock North; M'Neil, Henry, Wairoa; M'Carthy, Seminary, Greenmeadows; APDonald, J. 11., Emerson street, Napier; Mitchell, Park Island Home; M'Lauchliu, Park Island Home; M'Leron, Park Island Home; Monckton, Park Island Home; Mitchell, Mrs, Gladstone road; Murphy, Laurie, Waipukurau; Mackin, Victor, Otane; M'Bride, Park Island Home; M'Shane, Taradale; APLennan, Otane; APKenzie, John, Waipukurau; Moody (baby), Waipukurau; Mahoney, Park Island Horae. Neilson, Miss, Napier; Natrass, fractured femur, Otane; Nettleship, Otane; Nockall, Otane. O’Connor; O’Sullivan, Dannevirke. Patterson, Archie, Park Island Home; Peterson, Alex, Puketitiri; Palleson, Gwen, 184 Wellesley road; Pethybridge, Otane; Pethybridge, Mrs, Waipukurau; Parsons, Mrs, Waipukurau; Perce, Airs; Panic, Mrs, Wharerangi; Peterson, Alex., Puketitiri; Prcndergast; Greenmeadows, fractured hand, head injuries; Pierce, Park Island Home; Phillips, Park Island Home; Prebble, Waipukurau; Page, Airs Pepperwell, Waipukurau. Ranee, Harry, Park Island Home; Ross, Otane; Russell, Dudley; Robinson, Richdale; Reid, William. 8 Hastings street; Rahcki, Charlotte; Richard, Edward, Park Island Home; Rockdale, Park Island Home; Randall, Waipukurau; Read, L., Pack Island Home; Redding, Waipukurau; Reid, 8 Hardinge road. Sims, Cable. 39 Handinge road, crushed: Sutton, Remo, 8 Patutahi; Smith, Paul S., Malakiwi. Clive; Seastrand, Signa, 2 Parson’s road, injury to pelvis; Smith, Airs, Puterio; Searle. Lon, 49 Carlyle street; Smith, T., Eskdale; Somcrsby, Aiiss, Otane; Slater, Florence, Otane; Stuart, Otane; Seton, Sister, Waipukurau: Stevenson, Waipukurau; Smith, Jane, Waipukurau; Stock, Aiiss, Waipukurau; Stuart, Aiiss; Saunders, T.;Smith, Airs 11., Puterion; Sutton, Alick, Puketapu; Strachan. AI. H.j Saunders, Park Island Home; Smith, C.. Park Island Home; Shipton, Park Island Home; Simpkin. Waipukurau; Souter, C. P., Raffles street. Hastings; Stewart,. Airs, Palmerston North; Saxton, Dorothy, Dannevirke; Skelton, Otane; Shannon, Otane; Stock, Greenmeadows; Slater, Aiiss, Greenmeadows; Smith, Thomas, Eskdale; Smith, Summerly, Aiiss. Timms, Airs George, IS street. Napier; Tucker, Nurse. Otane; ThornGeorgc, Alai-got, Otane; Thomas, Arthur, 702 Ellison street, Hastings; Tilson, Violet, Jouns road, Taradale; Tone. Woodville; Taylor, Alary, Havelock North; Thomas, R., 702 Alison road, Hastings. Walker, Airs, Greenmeadows; Wilson, Fred. Selwyn road, Napier; Williamson, Irene and Lorna, Otane; West, Mary, Otane; Williams, Margaret, Waipukurau; Watt, J., Waipukurau; Whitten, Waipukurau; Webb, Airs, Waipukurau; Warwick, Olive; Warwick, Alexis, 1 Corry avenue, Napier; Walker, Airs J. Webb, Park Island Home; Wilkins (baby), Waipukurau; Woodmann, Waipukurau; Ward, J., Waipukurau; Woodward. Park Island Home; Whittaker, C. A., Waipukurau; Williams, F„ Waipukurau: Williamson, Aiiss I. Young. William, Clive. An additional list is as follows: Lawrence. St, Francis Home, Napier; Gordon, George. Greenmeadows; Hcagney, P., Seminary, Greenmeadows; Bailey or Farley. Otane: Cullwick, Sister; Connor, Thomas, care Airs Head, Goldsmith road, hand injury; Chedwidden. W.. 76 Carlyle street, Napier, neuritis; Cusack, Frank, 11.M.5. Dunedin; Fisher, Fred, 26 Havelock road, shock; Fisher, Amelia, 26 Havelock road, shock; Henderson, Mrs; Hawkes, Lance. 41 Nelson crescent, hand and scalp; Hill, Airs L. J., Johns road,

Taradale, pleurisy and pneumonia; Heagney, Pat, Greenmeadows, scalp wound, care Mrs Heagney, Bell street, Wanganui; Irving, Miss W., Oamaru, shock; M'Carthy, Leo, Greenmeadows, bruises; care Mrs M'Carthy, Beach road, Hawera; Irving, Leo, Greenmeadows, bruises, care Mrs M'Carthy, Beach road, Hawera; Mitchell. Mrs, 44 Marine parade, bruises, shock; Robson, Donald. Church road, Taradale, broken ribs; Stewart, Miss; Terrill, Mrs, 148 Carlyle street, Napier, paralysed; Tiney, Keith, 122 Riccarton road, Christchurch; Williams-Hunt, Miss Lorna. , AT PALMERSTON NORTH. The following patients were admitted to the Palmerston North Hospital from the earthquake area: — Anderson, Annie, Napier; Amner, Kathleen Mary, Napier. Bailey, Elizabeth, Napier; Barnett, Mrs Bruce, Napier; Burrows, Alexander, Carlyle street, Napier; Black, Gordon, Jull street, Napier; Borthwick, Jean, nurse, Napier; Baddley, Jessie, Albert street, Hastings; Bowen, Frederick E.; Thompson road, Napier: Elewett, William Whitlock, Havelock North; Beery, Emma, Thackeray road, Napier;. Butlin, James, Old People’s Home. Napier; Brown, Kenneth, Bay View, Napier. Cullen, Neil, Hardinge street, Napier; Cullen, Beryl, Napier; Carrington, Douglas, Hastings; Cliattaway, Charles, Goldsborough House, Napier; Chang, Percy. Hastings; Carroll, Kitty, Beach road, Hastings; Carwell, Cooke Roma, Health Department. Napier; Campbell, David, Napier; Campbell, Elsie; Napier; Carver, Lawrence. Napier; Cheslerman, Freda, Napier; Cutfield, Keith Kenneth, Health Department. Napier. Douglas, Phvllis, Napier; Devine, Patrick J.. Frederick street, Hastings; Drake, Neville, Napier l Drinnan, Andrew, Milton road, Napier; Duinble, Mary Jane, Meannee. ’ Etheridge, Janet, Ashridge street, Napier. , , , TT , Faulkner, Mavis, King street, Hastings; Fulton. William. Park Island Home, Napier; Fitzpatrick. James, Napier; renlon, James, Park Island, Napier; Fannin, Mrs W R., Napier. Goodwin, Roma. Rapier; Gibson, Martha, Eskdale; Grant, Mary, Dilheu street. Hastings. ~ . Henderson, Ina May. Spencer road, Napier; Hawkins, Annie, Taradale; Haywood, George, Marine parade, Napier; Hounsell, Winifred, _ Vnutier street. Napier; Hamlin. Leslie, Rapid. Jurascvich, Vance, Napier;- James. Daurie, Napier. , King, Fred, Napier; Kelly, Lconaid Lewis. Hastings; Laurence, Cecil, \\ aghorn street, Port Ahuriri; Lahood, Thomas, Hastings; Lobby, Dinah Napier; Lee, William, Napier; Lavin, Billy, Bowel street, Napier, crushed chest, satistaeMacdonald, Allan K., Sylvan road, Hastings; Martin, Robert Guthrie Clive street, Hastings; Marshall, John, Market street, Hastings; M'Kenzie, Stuart Norman, Vigor Brown street, Napier, satisfactory; M'Kenzie. George, Park Island Home, Napier, satisfactory; M Gregor, Archibald, Vigor Brown street, Napier satisfactory; Madigan, Elizabeth. Public Hospital. Napier; Murphy Laurie, Hea.th Department Hospital, Napier, satietac°Newlands, Stanley, Charles street, Hastings, serious. . . . O’Connor; John, Napier Hospital, satisfactory; O’Sullivan, Richard Patrick, pa pfge. to1 Dorothy, Napier, satisfactory: Parsons, Walter, Eketahuna, satisfactory; Pallenson, David, head injury, dangerously ill- Pearce, Violet, Napier, satisfactory; Pocock, James, Napier, satisfactory; 1 opplewell, William, Napier, amputation lingers, satisfactory. . . Rattray, Leslie John, Hastings, satisfac-

tory; Roche, Molly, Napier, satisfactory; Ryan, Jack, Hastings, satisfactory. Stewart, Elspeth, Napier, satisfactory; Salmonsen, Alice, Hastings, serious; Stevenson, James, satisfactory; Schofield, Esther, Hastings, serious; Shrimpton, Elberta, Colombo street, Christchurch, amputation foot, satisfactory; Saxton, Dolly, scalp wounds; Scot, Mary, Milton road, Napier; Storey, Deborah, Avenue road, Hastings; Smith, Campbell David Angus, Napier; Stock, Albert, leg injuries. Tasker, Grace, Napier, satisfactory; Truman, Nellie, Empire Hotel, Napier; _ Vickerstaff, Ames, Enfield street,. .Napier, serious. Warwick, Olive M, Napier, not serious; Watson,- Mary, Avenue road, Hastings, satisfactory; Wishnowky, Herbert; Wilson, Frederick, Napier; Wallace, Jack, Karamu road, Hastings, amputation of foot,, serious;, Webb, Florence, Beach road, Hastings; Whitten, Edward Neil, Napier; Wall, Myra, Massey street, Hastings, injuries serious. Young, William, Technical School, Napier. WHOLE BUILDINGS FALL PEOPLE BURIED IN RUINS. TRAGIC ASPECTS OF DISASTER. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 6. “ They won’t even find the gshes of hundreds,” said one man reporting to Salvation Array headquarters this morning. ■'For instance, cars were passing along the street, and also parked as we see them here. Whole buildings fell on them, and crushed them to pieces. Then the fire went through; they won’t even find their ashes.” Speaking of the private residences which people consider still intact, he said that a number of these had fallen to pieces. Some wooden places looked all right outside, but inside they were quite chaotic, and if .one walked along and examined them, it was surprising to find the damage that had been done. For the first 14 hours nobody did anything at Napier, he said, and it was not until 7.30 next morning that a meeting was he'd. Most people- were reluctant to leave, but he thought the place would have to be evacuated, as there was no sanitation, and those in charge were all afraid of fever. “ The smell of the place is nauseating,” he concluded. “You can smell burning flesh for miles.” CENSUS OF STRICKEN AREA. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 6. The possibility of the Census and Statistics Office taking a census of the Hawke’s Bay district was placed before the Minister of Internal Affairs to-day by an Evening Post representative. Mr de la Perrelle relied that nothing could be done until something like normality was reached again, but the department would- certainly explore the possibilities of a census. f