NATIONAL RELIEF MEASURES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21254, 7 February 1931, Page 14

NATIONAL RELIEF MEASURES

CENTRAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED. DISBURSEMENT OF MONEYS. NO DEDUCTIONS FOR ADMINISTRATION. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 6. Concerning his appeal to the people of New Zealand for financial assistance to relieve as far as possible the desperate plight of the sufferers from the earthquake catastrophe in Hawke’s Bay, the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) announces that, as a result of a meeting of Cabinet, it hae been decided that the personnel of the Central Committee to administer the Relief Fund will be as follows: —The Prime Minister (chairman), Mr E. A. Ransom (Minister of Lands), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr J. G. Coates), the Leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland), Messrs W. E. Barnard, M.P., H M. Campbell. M.P., A. E. Jull, M.P., W. D. Lysnar, M.P., representing the districts affected by the earthquake; the Mayors of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin; Major A. H. Bathurst (military secretary to his Excellency the Governor-General), the Public Trustee (Mr J. W. MacdonjiJd), the engineer-in-chief of the Public Works Department (Mr F. W. Furkert), the Under-secretary of Lands (Mr J. B. Thompson), and the Valuer-general (Mr T. Brook). Five members of the committee will constitute a quorum, and the Public Trustee will be the executive officer of the committee. Following the experience of the administration of the previous earthquake fund, a small executive sub-committee, resident in Wellington, will be sot up to act with the Public Trustee. In order that relief work may be properly co-ordinated and the best possible use made of the fund subscribed, it is requested that subscriptions from all sources be paid into any branch of the Bank of New Zealand to the credit of the public account, and the bank receipt forwarded to the Secretary of the Treasury, Wellington, under cover of a letter setting out the details of the contribution. If amounts cannot conveniently be paid into the Bank of New Zealand they may be remitted direct to the Treasury or paid into the Post Office. In order that the fund may earn the maximum amount of interest which the Public Trustee has agreed to allow —5J per cent, on the daily balance from its inception—it*is requested that the moneys subscribed be paid to the public account or remitted to the Treasury as fast as they are received, the list of all such receipts to be issued to the press for publication.

“In regard to the distribution and use of the funds," stated the Prime Minister, “ the intention io that the Central Committee should, as in the case of the previous earthquake, work in co-operation with -local committees to be set up in the afflicted areas. The constitution of the local committees it is proposed to leave to the people concerned, except that to facilitate the work it is desired that local representatives of the Public Trust Office, the Public Works, Lands and Valuation Departments be made ex officio members of all committees. The Public Trust officers will undertake all secretarial and accounting work, and the fund will be administered by the Public Trustee as the executive officer of the Central Committee. “All accounts in connection with the fund will be audited by the controller and Auditor-general. No organisation or administrative coets will be charged to the Relief Fund. That is to say, all money subscribed by the people will be directly applied in the relief of sufferers from the earthquake. In order that there may be as little delay as possible in applying moneys to the purposes for which they have been subscribed, it is proposed to coveno a meeting of the Central Committee immediately to determine details in respect to the administration of the fund, and to delegate the necessary powers to an executive sub-committee and local committees." The Prime Minister added that for the immediate relief of urgent cases of distress some grants are being made from the Consolidated Fund. These moneys would be administered by the local committees of those centres on the principles outlined already. After allowing for the settlement of all reasonable claims on the West Coast Earthquake Relief Fund it is anticipated that a balance of about £IO,OOO will remain. This balance could reasonably be transferred to the Hawke’s Bay Relief Fund, and a meeting of the Central Committee of the West Coast Fund will be called immediately to consider the matter. The Prime Minister said he felt sure that the response to the appeal for funds would be a generous one. It is hoped that the organisation outlined will enable tTTe unfortunate sufferers to receive benefit from those funds with the least possible delay. Although it must be recognised that the collating of the details of the losses suffered will be a work of some magnitude, it was unnecessary to say that the immediate needs of the sufferers in the meantime would receive prompt attention.

OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE. VOLUNTARY DONATIONS ACCEPTABLE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 6. The Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) announces that no appeal for funds will be made to other countries, but if donations are made from overseas they will be gratefully received. The Governor-General has received messages of sympathy from Sir Archibald Weigall, formerly Governor of South Australia, and from the Austin Motor Company. Each forwarded £IOO. GIFT FROM LONDON TIMES. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, February 5. The Times newspaper has given £IOOO for the relief of the earthquake sufferers. Sir Thomas Wilford, in gratefully ac- ; knowledging the donation, says he had decided not to make an appeal, but he realised that it would be ungracious to refuse any voluntary offer of assistance. WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON. February 6. The City Council voted £2OOO to the earthquake fund. A meeting of citizens formed a relief committee and decided to convey to the Prime Minister its opinion that offers of relief from outside countries should be gladly accepted. DONATIONS BY SHIPPING COMPANIES. LOADING MEAT FROM DAMAGED WORKS. (Per United Association.) WELLINGTON, February 6. The Overseas Shipowners’ Allotment Committee, on which are representatives of the C. and D. Line, the Shaw Savill, New Zealand and Associated Line, and the Federal Steam Company met this morning, and it was stated that each of the three was giving £SOO immediately to the Prime Minister’s fund. The lines are loading all the meat it has been possible to recover from the damaged works. The Northumberland, standing by at Wairoa, reports the fire there, and states that it may be impossible to do anything. The Tasmania is being got ready to load any further meat that can be recovered at the Hawke’s Bay works and railed out. COMMODITY SUPPLIES. HELP FOR WHOLESALE TRADERS. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 6. In view of the serious position in regard to the supplies of commodities to

retail traders adjacent to Napier and Hastings, a meeting of merchants and manufacturers’ agents and others was held to-day, when the Question of rendering assistance to Hawke’s Bay wholesalers waa considered. A committee representative of Wellington’s trading community was set up with a direction from the meeting to enlist the aid of all interested traders throughout the Dominion in this effort to help their fellow traders who suffered severely. One of the first steps taken will be to arrange for a continuity of supplies to be distributed from a central source so that goods of all classes may be available to enable retail traders t® carry on business. NEW PLYMOUTH’S RESPONSE. (Per United Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, February 0. At mid-day to-day the relief funds in New Plymouth had reached a total of £2OOO. RESPONSE IN POVERTY BAY. (Per United Press Association.) GISBORNE, February 6. The Cook Hospital Board voted £IOO for relief. Tho Poverty Bay Herald list exceeds £IOOO. At the call of the military authorities, Colonel Gambrill, Major Muir, and Captains Blackburn and Bongnrd have gone to Napier to assist to control the situation. HELP FOR TOBACCO WORKERS. (Per United Press Association.' NELSON, February (3. Tobacco growers in the Nelson district are organising to provide relief for the employees of the National Tobacco Company at Hastings, who have been robbed of their livelihood by tho destruction of the company’s premises. MARLBOROUGH GRANTS. (Per United Press Association.) BLENHEIM, February 6. The Blenheim Borough Council has voted £IOO to the Earthquake Relief Fund, and the Awatere County Council lias given £SO. Local funds arc growing steadily. INQUIRIES FOR RELATIVES. Y.M.C.A. AGENTS APPOINTED. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 6. The Y.M.C.A. is placing secretaries in various centres of the stricken area. They will act as inquiry agents for the public, accept personal messages for relatives in the area, and secure all the available information concerning the whereabouts of the missing and the condition of the injured. Official work of this nature is being done by the Public Service Commissioner, and his department is making available to the Y.M.C.A. on application any information it may have. £IO,OOO FROM CHRISTCHURCH. CITY COUNCIL’S VOTE INCREASED. (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, February C. The Christchurch City Council, at a special meeting this morning, called urgently by the Mayor, decided to increase its donation to the Hawke’s Bay Earthquake Relief Fund from £IOOO to £IO,OOO, half of the amount to be paid over immediately. The money is being taken from the Reserve Fund of the Electricity Department, and the decision of the council waa based on a recommendation made unanimously by the Electricity Committee. In a statement made at the conclusion of the meeting the Mayor (the Rev. J. K. Archer) said that the feeling of the Electricity Committee was that, much as the council might desire to do so, it could not, under present circumstances, place a large amount upon the rates, either during the current year or during next year, but that it, could afford to meet the case out of the reserve funds of tho Municipal Electricity Department. After very carefully considering the matter, the Mayor added, the council decided to approve of the recommendation of the Electricity Committee, with the qualification that the grant of £IOOO previously voted be immediately increased to £SOOO, and that the council give an undertaking to provide the other £SOOO when it was satisfied that it was necessary. In the meantime the council has instructed Crs E. H. Andrews and D. G. Sullivan, M.P., to proceed to Hawke’s Bay to make a personal investigation, and report both as to the present position as regards the need of help and the methods of distribution. Cr E. Parlane said that he voted against the recommendation for the reason that he considered that there were people in as serious need in Christchurch as there were in Napier, and he thought such a large amount should not be voted unless similar help was given for the relief of distress in the city, CHRISTCHURCH PRESS COMPANY. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 6. The Relief Fund list of the Christchurch Press now totals nearly £4OOO, subscribed in two days. The Mayor’s fund totals £3422. WORK OF RESTORATION. CONCENTRATION OF LABOUR URGED. (Per United Press Association.) TIMARU, February 6. The Timaru Post, in an editorial, advocates cessation of the many unnecessary works in progress, including roads and railways, and the molibisation of all available funds and labour in the reconstruction of the stricken areas in Hawke’s Bay. The article says:—“To-day the energies of the people are being dissipated in many directions. Work is being found for the unemployed, not because the work is essential, but because it is necessary to employ idle hands. In face of the disaster the position should be considered in the truest interests of the Dominion, and it would be an example to the world were a halt called to the dissipation of I labour on unnecessary and non-urgent works and all energies and resources concentrated on the reconstruction of the desolated areas. We feel sure the country would support any heroic efforts or determination on the part of the Government, and nothing would appeal to the country to such an extent as an earnest effort to utilise the surplus labour and resources in the great national and urgent work of restoration in the stricken areas.” DAIRYMEN’S ASSISTANCE. (Per United Press Association.) TIMARU, February 6. The following is a copy of a telegram sent by Mr B. Hughes (Temuka) to the New Zealand Dairy Produce Board: — “ For the urgent consideration of the board on behalf of the dairy companies under ray control and representing a large proportion of dairymen in this district, it is suggested that the board should ■grant from its accumulated funds a substantial amount —not less than £sooo— earthquake relief as a subscription from the dairy farmers of New Zealand. It is felt that owing to the economic conditions the farmers themselves, generally speaking, will bo unable to subscribe as they might desire, and as the board has considerable unexpended moneys which have boon collected by way of levies on dairy produce it is considered that portion of this money could be applied for this purpose.” The telegram was signed by Mr Hughes as secretary of the. Milford, Clandeboye, and Orari Dairy Companies.

LONDON LOAN SUGGESTED. (Per United Press Association.) HAMILTON. February 6. That the Government should immediately raise a loan on the London market to cover adequately earthquake relief wag suggested by Mr W. J, Poison, M.P., president of the Now Zealand Farmers’ Union, speaking at a big meeting of

farmers at Matamata to-day. It was, he said, impossible to state what sum was needed, but he thought a committee of trustees should be selected from prominent men in Hawke’s Bay, with Government representation, to go into the matter. Tho trustees should have the right to call in harbour and other engineers, town planners, and financiers to arrive at a plan and direct a proper expenditure of the money. A motion to this effect was carried unanimously. SOUTHLAND DONATIONS. (Per United Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, February G. The Relief Fund which was epened in Invercargill has now passed the £3OOO mark, and includes contributions from the Southland Times, £250; Ohai Railway Board, £200; Permanent investment Company, £100; W. T. Hazlett, £100; Wright, Stephenson, Ltd., £IOO. ALEXANDRA BOROUGH. (Special to Daily Times.) ALEXANDRA. February G. At a special meeting of the Alexandra Borough Council, the council passed a resolution conveying its sympathy with the earthquake sufferers. It was decided to open an Earthquake Relief Fund. A meeting of ladies will be hold on Monday evening to devise ways and means of helping. HOUSING REFUGEES. (Per United Press Association.) CARTERTON, February G. A very largely-attended meeting of Carterton women last night arranged to take 100 refugees. OFFER FROM AUSTRALIAN LADY. THE CARE OF ORPHANS. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, February G. Miss Dalwood, of Wentworth Falls, has offered to receive at her home 20 children who have been rendered orphans by the New Zealand disaster, the only condition being that the children must have lost both parents, and their ages must not exceed 13 years. ANXIETY IN LONDON. LIST OF VICTIMS AWAITED. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, February 5. Relatives of people in the New Zealand stricken districts are still without the names of the earthquake victims, and have fruitlessly appealed to the New Zealand Government Office, where the casualty list is anxiously awaited. Among the scores of inquiries was one from a member of the House of Commons, Major Graham Pole, who is anxiously awaiting news of his youngest daughter, Mrs Norman Elder, who is living in Hawke’s Bay, three miles from Hastings. SYMPATHY FROM BRITAIN. MANY UNSOLICITED DONATIONS. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, February 5. Sir Thomas Wilford has received personal letters of sympathy from Mr Ramsay MacDonald and various Ambassadors and High Commissioners, and many unsolicited donations. Sir Thomas Wilford to-day talked with Air Forbes on tho wireless telephone. BRITISH RUGBY TEAMS. (Per United Press Association.) WANGANUI, February C. Dr G. J. Adams, president of the New Zealand Rugby Union, has received a cable from D. Prentice, who captained the British'team that toured New Zealand: —“Accept sympathy with bereaved and injured on behalf of British team.” CANADA ANXIOUS TO HELP. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) OTTAWA, February 5. Members of the Government are unwilling to comment directly on the resolution of the Canadian Lumbermen’s Association that credits be extended to New Zealand to enable the purchase of Canadian lumber for reconstruction. The general feeling in official circles, however, is that the Government would not hesitate to provide such credits if asked by the New Zealand Government. Mr Bennett, in a message of sympathy,, asked to he informed if there was any possible way in which assistance could he rendered. AMERICA READY TO HELP. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) NEW YORK, February 5. (Received Feb. 6, at 10 p.m.) The Herald-Tribune, in a leader headed “ New Zealand’s Disaster,” states: “ New Zealanders, like the Australians, have always seemed to be closer to Americans than other folk. If there is any aid that America can give to the stout-hearted people of New Zealand it will be given from a full heart.” THE CITY COUNCIL. GRANT OF £IOOO MADE. A special meeting of the Dunedin City Council was held yesterday for the purpose of granting a sum of money tor the relief of sufferers in the Hawke’s Bay earthquake. His Worship the Mayor (Dir R. S. Black) presided. The Mayor said that it was fitting that they should meet on that day when the flags were at half-mast in mourning for those who had perished in the earthquake, and whose funerals were being carried out. He asked the council to stand in silence for a moment in rcsoect for their memory Cr Clark said that it was not necessary to say anythincr regarding their feelings about tlie terrible disaster, and he felt that they should give tangible expression to their sympathy with the afflicted. He moved that the sum of £IOOO be granted toward the national fund for the relief of the sufferers, and that the allocation of the money should be referred to the Finance Committee. His reason for putting the matter to the Finance Committee was that the accounts that would be responsible for finding (ho amount of the grant would have to bo carefully considered. In seconding the motion Cr Mitchell said that ho thought £IOOO was a fair sum to grant in the circumstances. The motion was carried unanimously. An invitation was received from the Rev. W. Allen Stevely, on behalf of (he office-bearers and congregation of First Church, for (he Council to attend a memorial service which would ho hold at the church to-morrow night.—The invitation was accepted. It was mentioned that 25 members of the Toe IT organisation had offered to take up the collection at (ho concert which would ho hold in (he Town [Tall to-morrow night.—The offer was gratefully accepted. LOCAL STREET COLLECTION. £230 FOR MAYORESS’S FUND. Tho street collection conducted yesterday by the Mayoress (Mrs R, S. Black) and her committee of ladies resulted in the addition of the sum of £230 to the fund, which it is proposed to devote to the purchase of clothing and linen for tho stricken area. The following contributions to the fund have been received:—Previously acknowledged. £O4 Is: Mrs L. C. Penrose, £2O; Airs Gerald Fitzgerald, £11; Mrs D. M'Lean, £10; Mrs H v K. Wilkinson, £5

ss; Mrs Oldham, £5; Mrs Fergus, £5; Mrs W, Ewing, £2 2s; Mrs C. Wilkinson, £1 Is; Miss F. Sowers, £1 Is; Mrs A. C. Alcock, £1 Is; Mrs H, Mitchell, £1 Is; Mrs W. B. Taverner, £1 Is; Mrs W. A. Saunders, £1; Mrs Cunningham, £1; Miss Adam, £1; Mrs White, £1; L. A. S„ £1; “Dal,” 10s; F. E. L. (Roslyu), 10s; Miss “ K„” ss. The members of the executive of the Mayoress’s Buying Committee will meet each day at 10 a.m. until further notice to control the activities of the organisation. LOCAL RELIEF EFFORTS. The D.1.C., Ltd., has decided to grant £250 for the relief, of distress in the earthquake areas, to be administered through the central fund. The stall’s of the George street and South Dunedin branches of the D.S.A., Ltd., have decided to forego their annual picnic, which was to have been held today, and to devote the amount —£39— which the firm usually spends in providing Hie outing to the relief fund. In addition to this a collection taken up amongst the stall’ realised £3l, making a total of £7O. The stall of Brown, Ewing and Co., Ltd., has contributed £52 15s, the result of a collection. At a special meeting of the Dunedin Builders’ and Contractors' Association’s Picnic Committee, held yesterday, it was unanimously resolved that the picnic for the current year be cancelled and that a sum of i'Ji be presented to the Mayor's Earthquake Belief Fund from the Association’s picnic fund. At a meeting at Green Island last night the Mayor (Sir W. T. Smellic) intimated that the Green Island Borough Council had voted £IOO to the relief fund. Committees were set up to canvass the district for cash and clothing. Offers from various societies to hold benefit functions were also received. The Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association held a meeting yesterday evening. Mr A. Smellie presiding, and it was decided to make a cash drive throughout the whole city on February 14. During the coming week householders will be circularised and provided with an envelope, into which they are asked to place donations. A collection will be made by official collectors on February 14. An open-air concert will be held tonight in the Queen’s Gardens in aid of the earthquake relief funds. The best talent available has been secured, and it is hoped that the audience will be a large one. Numerous offers of help for the stricken area have been received by the Mayor of Port Chalmers (Mr W. G. Love) from residents. Mr Love is now making inquiries whether volunteer help is needed. He stated yesterday that a number of Port Chalmers residents were prepared to leave at very short notice to lend assistance in the devastated area. The mail branch of the Dunedin Post and Telegraph Department intends foregoing its annual picnic in order to devote the picnic funds to the Earthquake Relief Fund. The Marlborough and Hawera Aero Clubs, for whose benefit the Black Cat Art Union is being conducted, have decided to devote to the Earthquake Belief Fund the first £IOOO of any net profits resulting from the art union. Messrs Cadbury Fry Hudson, Ltd., yesterday shipped to Palmerston North a supply of cocoa for the use of the earthquake sufferers. MEETING AT MOSGIEL. A meeting was held in Mosgiel last evening to discuss the raising of funds locally to help the sufferers. The Mayor (Mr W. E. APLean) presided. In his opening remarks the ' chairman said that in addition to the death of the Rev. W. A. Stevenson (son of Mr and Mrs D. Stevenson, of Morrison street), a recent business man of Mosgiel (Mr Swailes), who for some years had been in business in Napier, had lost all. His premises had been wrecked. He detailed what the council had done, and appealed to one and all to give liberally. The president of the Association Football Club intimated that his club would run a sports gathering, the rector of the school (Mr Kaye) and his staff a concert, and outdoor concerts by both bands. A canvass of the district was arranged, and the area was divided into blocks. Canvassers wore appointed ns follows: — Wingatui, North Taieri, Wylie’s Crossing districts —Messrs George APLeod and John Gordon. Mosgiel Junction—Mr W. E. M'Lcan to arrange. Riccarton area —Mr A. Miller. Borough area—Divided into eight sections—Mrs Johnson and Mrs Smeaton, Misses Melrose (2), Miss Shaw and Miss Logan. Mrs Duncan and Mies APLeod, Mrs APLean (Mayoress) and Mrs J. Garrett, John Williamson, Mrs Bell and Mrs Livingstone, Mr Kirk. The Mayor of Mosgiel acknowledges receipt of the following subscriptions:— Mosgiel Borough Council .. .. £SO 0 0 W. G 1 0 0 Mosgiel Association F’ootball Club 1 1 0 Town Clerk and borough employees fone day’s wages) .. 3 10 0 Harry S. Butcher 1 0 0 W. E. M'Lean (Mayor) .... 5 5 0 M. Barratt 1 0 0 Then. Russell 5 0 0 F. Larson 0 5 0 MEETING AT KUROW. (Pkr United Press Association.) OAMARU, February 0 A welLattended public meeting was held at Kurow last night to organise an earthquake relief fund. Mr T. A. Alunro presided. It was decided to canvass the district, which was divided into sections. A motion of sympathy was passed with the bereaved people in the stricken area. A benefit picture entertainment will be given by the proprietor (Mr Neave) for the fund. MASTERTON. (Per United Press Association.) MASTERTON, February 6. The Masterton Borough Council has given £IOO to the Relief Fund. PORT CHALMERS. Twelve carpenters who work for tile Love Construction Company at Port Chalmers have informed the Mayor that they are prepared to go to Napier or Hastings and work for the Relief Committee. They will give their services free, working without wages. Their only stipulation is that their fares be paid and they be supplied with free board and lodging. The following amounts for the Earthquake Relief Fund wore received at the town clerk’s office, Port Chalmers, yesterday:—E. Knewstubb £l, Old Identities' Association £lO, A. 801 l £l, Captain J. Page £l. Otto Loll £1 Is. T. S. £l, Mrs Seal £l. F. Seal £l, C. Boothby 2s, M. Ross 2s, Mrs Seal, sen., £l. Miss Seal £l, Mrs Nelson 2s, James Miller £5. J. Watson £lO, Captain A. N. Shelton £l, J. Connolly 10s, Dr R. W. Edgar £5, D. R. M'Cowatt £l, Two Sisters £2 Mrs W. Willmott £l. In common with the many endeavours which are being made in Dunedin to assist the victims of the catastrophe, the management of the Regent Thcat. has arranged for the holding of a concert on Sunday, February 15, in the theatre. Prominent local performers and a symphony orchestra, under Mr Arthur Frost, will give their services free, and it is hoped that this worthy effort will receive liberal patronage from the public, more especially as the programme promises to be one of outstanding merit. EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY. ROTAR lANS’ SVM PAT 11V. Mr H. Guthrie, governor of the New Zealand Rotary district, has received the following additional cabled expressions of sympathy; From Rotary International, Chicago: “To Rotarians of Hastings, as well as Napier, and all others affected by earthquake disaster, profound sympathy. Sincere wishes for rapid restoration.” From Rotary Club, Manchester, England: “Manchester Rotarians send deepest sympathy in tragic disaster.” From Newcastle Rotary Club. N.S.W.: “Newcastle Rotarians send heartfelt sympathy to Rotarians and New Zealanders in terrible calamity.” From Mr Bruce H. Richardson, gov-

ernor of the Fourth District, Winnipeg. Canada: “ Trust Hastings-Napier Rotary families escaped catastrophe. Fourth District held available for asking,” Messrs Reid and Gray, Ltd.. Burnside, received a cablegram as follows, from Bamfords. Ltd., Uttoxeter, England:— “ Wish express heartfelt sympathy to your country in severe loss and damage through earthquake, especially with sufferers in stricken areas.” MESSAGES FROM ABROAD. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February (1. Cable messages of sympathy have been received from the League of Nations, President Hoover, the Viceroy and Gov-ernor-General of India, the Governor of Western Australia, the Governor of .Malta, and private people and firms. SYDNEY STOCK EXCHANGE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 5. The New Zealand Stock Exchanges Association has received the following cablegram from the Sydney Stock Exchange; “ The chairman and members of this exchange desire to convoy to you and to the people of New Zealand their deepest sympathy in the present appalling disaster.” SYMPATHY ACKNOWLEDGED. (British Official Wireless.) (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) RUGBY, February 5. The Duke and Duchess of Yprk have received a cable from Lord Bledisloe conveying the appreciation of those who have suffered bereavement and injury in the earthquake, and of all the Dominion for the sympathy expressed. CONCERTED MOVE IN DUNEDIN MEETING CALLED BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. CAMPAIGN TO RAISE FUNDS. A meeting of representatives of the various Dunedin local bodies, called by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, was held in the board room of the chamber yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of securing concerted action in giving assistance to the people who had suffered loss by the earthquake. Air A. C. Cameron, president of the chamber, occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of representatives. The chairman said that it was almost unneccsary for him to state how profoundly they had all been shocked by the gravity of the news of the terrible earthquake disaster. The executive of the chamber had held a special meeting that morning to consider how best the business men of the town could assist in the raising of the funds which would be needed to alleviate distress. They were all intensely sympathetic, but they felt that unless all effort was co-ordinated there would b.e overlapping, and possibly a certain amount of wasteful expenditure. For instance, many districts were rushing up clothing—their own Mayoress was collecting funds for this purpose — appeals had been made for supplies of canned foods, etc., and thousands of cases were being sent forward. Those of them who knew the affected area felt that the immediate needs as regards clothing had probably been amply supplied. Little damage to clothing would result in the wooden houses which constituted a large proportion of the residential area. The district was not an industrial one, and the surrounding districts were wealthy and hospitable. The district abounded in sheep, fruit, and vegetables, so that the sending of canned meat was surely superfluous. His executive felt that what they should concentrate upon was the collection of funds for the main Central Relief Fund in Wellington. Ihe magnitude of the disaster was such that they felt an administrator should be appointed to work with the responsible Minister, and they had sent the following telegram that morning to the Associated Chambers of Commerce at Wellington, and also to the Auckland and Christchurch Chambers;

Executive here considers that in order to co-ordinate effort and prevent unnecessary supplies being purchased and to ensure most efficient administration Govermeut should immediately appoint an administrator such as Sir Andrew Russell to take complete control of the administration of the earthquake area and relief measures, such administration to act with the Alinister of the Crown responsible. Believe that such an appointment would establish public confidence. Suggest that the Central Committee take immediate action. The’ chairman said that with a view to securing the hearty co-operation of all business and professional men in the city they had further decided to call the meeting that afternoon. It was suggested that they discuss the position generally and that' thev co-operate with the Alayor with a view to getting a generous and immediate response to the Prime Alinister s appeal; that they ask the president or chairman of each organisation represented a; the meeting, and any who were unavoidably absent, to make a personal appeal to each of his members, and that they set up a small committee to meet as occasion demanded, and consider what further action was required. He was sure that they were all anxious that Duuecun should not be behind other centres m rendering assistance at this time. Air A. C. Stephens, speaking on behalt of the Law Society, said he must congratulate the executive on the action it had taken. No doubt everyone wanted to hffip but there would be a certain amount of waste effort and money unless the movement was co-ordinated. The matter of contributions to the relief of the sutfeters from the earthquake had already been considered by the legal profession, which would probably decide to make a donation of a lump sum from the protession The society would, ot course, be prepared to assist in any other way. Air F. G. Paape, speaking on behalt ot the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, said that prior to receiving notice that the meeting was to be hold his association had taken action. Air Young, their president had called on a number ol hotelkwu.eis and had already collected somc- • liii'u. in the vicinity of £2OO. Ihe association would be only too pleased to give even- assistance possible. Mr J L. AlTndoe, president of the Master Printers’ Association, said he had no authority to speak officially on behalt of the Commercial Travellers Association but at a mooting of the executive ot tin, ’Travellers’ Association the previous niffiit it had been resolved, with the approval of the Mayor, to launch an appeal to the general public—to make a cash drive.” This would be quite apart from the appeal to employers, etc. It was proposed to make the drive next Saturday commencing at 8 o’clock in the morning. There were 10,400 homes m Dunedin, and the idea was to visit every home Air W G. Kindley (president of the Manufacturers’ Association) said his association was to consider the matter next Tuesday night. Alany of the manufacturers in Dunedin were heavy losers by the earthquake, but that would not affect (he position so far as the Dunedin manufacturers as a body were concerned, liis association would do its utmost to assist the people living in the stricken area. Mr J. G. Jeffery said he thought the suggestion to appoint Sir Andrew Russell the administrator a most excellent one. The speaker said that, as they knew, the Defence Department was in a state ot chaos at the present time, and they might therefore go the full limit and take the officers to Napier. These defence men had all had considerable training m administration work, and a certain amount of expense would he saved by transterring them to Napier for the time being. (“Hear, Hear.’) The chairman said that .Sir Andrew Russell was a civilian soldier, and one ot the ablest administrators they had ever had in the Dominion. The prestige ot hi s name was such (hat it would command (ho support of every section of the com--111 Alavor (Air R. S. Black) stated that the money raised in Dunedin would he forwarded immediately to the Central Fund in Wellington. Mr V, S. Jacobs moved: —

That the president or chairman of each business or professional organisation in the city—master butchers, painters, insurance offices, stock agents, bankers, dentists, Medical Association, etc—make a personal appeal to the members of his own body, with a view to getting (he maximum support to the appeal, and that each body decide itself how tins should be carried out.

Air J. B. Waters (Grain and Produce Alerchants’ Association) seconded the motion. lie said his association intended to consider what action it should take on Tuesday night. He thought the members of his association would prefer to act as a body and make one donation. _ Mr E, Wood (Importers’ and Shippers Association) said his executive was to consider the matter next Tuesday night. The chairman said he considered that they should work for the maximum amount of donations at once. As the Prime Alinistcr had stated: “He gave twice who gave quickly.” They should act while the sympathies of the public were fully aroused. — (“ Hear! _ Hear!’) The motion was carried unanimously. The following committee was set up to consider any questions which might arise, and to keep in touch with the presidents and chairmen of the various organisations; —Alcasrs \ ivian b. Jacobs, J. B. Waters, J. L. AlTndoe, J. G. Jeffery, W. G. Kindley. E. T. Porter, and the chairman The chairman said that there was one matter he had promised to bring before the meeting, and that was the taking round that day of collection boxes to the offices It was felt that this action would ’ militate against the general movement, and that it was not the right tune .o rush around collection boxes in this manner.—(“Hear! Hear!”) They could not stop it, but he thought the main appeal should be launched before smaller appeals wore made.—(“ Hear! Hear. ) Air Stephens said he thought such collections should be strongly No doubt neople were aggravated by these street collections. They might collect a shilling here and a shilling there, end the donor would think he had given ail he was required to give. < If the donor were, however, approached in another way he might give a pound instead of a shilling—(“Hear, hear.”) The Alavor said that he had given his approval to the “drive” proposed by the commercial travellers. He referred to the lack of knowledge of New Zealand topography by people at Home, and said his wife had received a cable tl.at day from relatives in Edinburgh asking if they were all safe. It was no wonder, maybe, that New Zealand stocks in London had fallen when such misapprehensions arose. Some people overseas apparently thought that the whole Dominion had been destroyed. A discussion ensued as to whether Tie funds raised would be used for the reestablishment of the damaged property or for the amelioration of distress. The opinion of the meeting was that the Government should make the rehabilitation a national responsibility. It was felt, however, that eo long as the Government appealed for private donations Dunedin should not be lacking in its effort. SURVIVORS IN DUNEDIN. WOMAN TRAPPED IN WASHHOUSE. NO WARNING OF CRASH. NEIGHBOUR’S TIMELY AID. Among the courageous deeds of those so suddenly overwhelmed by disaster will stand out the action of Airs Leverett, who went to the rescue of her neighbours while her own daughter Rope perished in the collapse of the Technical School. Airs R. Blundell, who arrived from Napier yesterday afternoon to stay with relatives in Dunedin, tells the following story: “Our house was on the hill behind the hospital, and I was in the washhouse, which is below the house, when, without any warning I was thrown up, and then dashed against the copper, to come to a stop in the corner. The gas range and a shower of bricks fell through from the kitchen, which was directly above, and the rack of the range pinned mo in the corner. I held my hands over my head while the bricks continued to fall, and attribute the fact that I was not seriously injured to the protection afforded me by the rack. Aly first thoughts were for my baby, whom I had left on the porch above, which was reached by a flight of steps. I listened, but could hear no sound, and felt sure that the child had fallen and had been killed on the concrete below. Airs Leverettc, my neighbour, rushed through and called out to me, but I could not move, and told her to see if the baby was safe. She climbed carefully up the steps, which had parted two or three feet from the wall, and found him safe on the porch. She then assisted me~to crawl out of my corner, and went to the aid of other neighbours. “ We rushed down the hill at the back of the hospital, which was a mass of ruin whence terrible groans were coming, and camped on the side of the road. With an old range, we managed to do some cooking, and later in the day some men erected improvised shelters, and we stayed there that night and the next.” Mrs Blundell tells of her little boy, who, when the first shock occured, was at school at Port Ahuriri. When asked what they did, he replied, “ We went tor our lives.” Only one of the children was trapped, and he was rescued with several fingers torn off. Alost of the schools in Napier were having their interval when the earthquake struck them, and thus the pupils were enabled to reach safety. The scene of desolation when. the fire broke out at Port Ahuriri, said Mrs Blundell, was a dreadful one. The injured were rushed up to the hospital, only to find that it was no longer standing, and they were then taken to the gardens, where operations were carried out.

Mrs Blundell left Napier on Thursday morning by motor car on a road which did not pass through the Hastings area, and which, although requiring careful driving at times, was in fairly good condition.

ESCAPE FROM WRECKED HOUSE. WOAIAN THROWN TO GROUND. Airs J, AlacKay, who was fortunate in escaping from her wrecked house in Lawrence road, near the hospital, arrived in Dunedin last night, is now staying with her parents at St. Kilda. Her husband, who used to reside at New street, Musselburgh, was transferred from the Customs Department in Dunedin to Napier in January of last year, and Mrs AlacKay had only returned to Napier on Saturday after spending a holiday in this city. Mrs AlacKay states that she was working in the house when the earthquake occurred, and she rushed outside as the chimneys began to shake and fall. She does not know clearly what occurred then, but she was thrown to the ground,’ and bears several marks on her face, showing the force with which she was hurled down. Her two boys, who attend the Central School, and her husband arrived home a little later. Ihe school children were at play at the time, and were at once sent home by the headmaster. A neighbour, Dr Biggs, advised the people living in the vicinity to go to the gardens at once, and there Airs AlacKay and her family and many others spent the night. Some inconvenience was caused by a light shower of rain, as the mattresses were laid in the open, but the rain, fortunnately, quickly passed off On Wednesday morning Airs AlacKay and a Airs DntJiie, of Christchurch, were found by Air Knowles, of Masterton, and Air Dut’hie, who had left Masterton at 4 o’clock in the morning, and driven straight back to Masterton. Airs AlacKay spent the night there and boarded the fen v steamer on Thursday night. Airs AlacKay stated to a Daily Times reporter last night how small one felt in the face of such a catastrophe and how little one could do. She says, however, that one could not help admiring (he coolness and courage of (ho men, and it made one feci very proud of the race. Two hours after the earthquake an aeroplane flew over the town. As she puts it, it was a perfect god-send, as it let the people know that they were not forgotten and that help was on the way. Air AlacKay, wiio is engaged at the tobacco factory at Port Ahuriri. and has a number of girls under his charge, saw them all out safely. The walls of the factory began to fall, but all the girls were then safe.

THE COUNTRY DISTRICTS. DAMAGE TO ELECTRIC WORKS. (Peb United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 6. Eskdale Valley felt the shock fairly severely, but not to such an extent as Napier and Hastings. A number of residences were destroyed or damaged. The Franche Home for Boys, in which orphans are received for farm training, was almost completely demolished, and the boys will probably be transferred to Auckland, At Taradale the Government electrical substation suffered greatly, though a ferro-concrete building. The three transformers, each weighing 20 tons, were thrown from their bases and damaged, and the insulators and overhead controls fell. This means that Mangahao, with Wellington and Auckland, will have to carry the load of the southern part of the island for a considerable time. The Waikaremoana hydro-electric scheme is only slightly affected. Though every chimney in the settlement fell, the transmission line stood. . One tower came down at Pihanui, abcut 40 miles north of Napier, where, the country was greatly disturbed. It is suggested that possibly the centre of the disturbance was located at, or near, Pihanui. Until the tower is repaired no power can be transmitted from Waikaremoana. which was supplying Wairoa and Gisborne. A small amount of power is being fed back from Mangahao to Napier and Hastings. In Napier it is being used for water pumping. No general water supply is possible at Hastings. The Diesel plant escaped damage, and is being used for pumping. North of Napier the roads are in a very bad state. A heavy slip on the Wairoa-Waikaremoana road blocked the road and dammed back the Kaikaretahcke River for three miles. A great flood will sweep down should the earth dam break. LOCAL FIRM’S LOSS. Messrs Hallenstein Brothers yesterday received details of the damage suffered by their premises in the earthquake region. Their buildings at both Napier anl Hasring were completely destroyed, the loss being estimated at £15,000. The firm’s Wanganui branch also suffered heavy damage. GREAT EARTHQUAKE DISASTERS HEAVY TOLL OF LIVES AND PROPERTY. The most disastrous earthquake that the world has ever known was that which occurred at Lisbon on November 1, 1755. In loss than 10 minutes the greater part of the city was a heap of ruins. About 35.000 people were killed, and the damage was estimated at £20,000,000. The shock was felt as far away as Scotland. Regarded as second in order of seventy among the recorded European earthquakes was the great Neapolitan earthquake in which 12,300 Italians lost their lives. It occurred on December 16, 1557. The Charleston (U.S.A.) earthquake-of 1886 was heralded by shocks a few days previously at the village of Summerville 22 miles away. The main shock occurred at 9.51 p.m., and in 70 seconds almost the whole of the town was levelled and many lives were lost. The great Indian earthquake of 1897 was felt over the. greater part of India, and even beyond its borders, but it was most severe in the proviuce_o£ Assam. Eight years later, in 1905, India was again visited by a catastrophe known as the Kangra earthquake, in which 20,000 lives were lost. It was estimated that the earthquake was felt over an area of 1.625.000 square miles. The great San Francisco earthquake, which is numbered among the world’s most appalling disasters, occurred on April 18, 1906. The damage was not caused so much by the earthquake itself as by a fire which raged through the city for three days. No tewer than 500 lives were lost, this number including two men who were shot while looting. It was estimated that the loss of buildings amounted to 105,000,000 dollars, and the total loss of property was estimated at from 350,000,000 to 500,000,000 dollars. The city was practically rebuilt in three years. . A terrible earthquake occurred in Calabria and Sicily at the end of 1908, pi actically destroying Messina and Reggio. Here the loss of life was appaKng, and the official list gave the number ot dead as 77,283. In 1920, earthquakes in Western China, on the border of Tibet, killed over 10Q,300 people. . , . , The greatest disaster in the history ox Japan occurred at Yokohama on September 1, 1923, when the earthquake was tollowed by fire and a tidal wave. About three-quarters of the town was destroyed, including the business quarter on the :iat levels and the residential quarter on a promontory known as The Bluff. J.he total number killed was 23,400, tnd 42.000 were injured. The cost of reconstruction was shared by the niumcipality and the State, and most of the rew buildings were constructed of ferro-con-crete. In Mav of 1925, Japan wag once more visited, the death roll numbering 381. The loss of property was estimated at 50.000. dollars. In March, 1927, Japan was again shaken by a disastrous earthquake, 2500 people losing their lives. Several months late, in the same year a severe shock in Palestine and Transjordania accounted for hundreds of lives. During 1928 Bulgaria and Chile wore visited, 103 people being killed in Bulgaria and 300 in Chile. The loss of property in the latter case amounted to 20.000. dollars. In June, 1929, 17 lives werejost when a shock was experienced in Nelson end Westland, New Zealand, and there was considerable loss of property. The year 1930 was marked by four severe earthquakes in different parts ot the world. In May, Burma was aftecred and over 1000 people were killed and 30.000 were rendered homeless. ihe same month saw over 200 lives lost as a result of a shock in Persia, 5000 people being injured in addition. Over COO were killed and 1000 injured in an earthquake in China in July, and another visitation in Italy accounted for 2200 lives, while 4500 people were injured.