THE EARTHQUAKE AREA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21358, 11 June 1931, Page 10

THE EARTHQUAKE AREA

REHABILITATION PROBLEMS MODE OF PROCEDURE OUTLINED (Pee United Press Association.) NAPIER, June 10. An explanation of the Rehabilitation Committee’s proposals in regard to the distribution of the £1,250,000 available was given by Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., before a large meeting of Napier retailers last evening; Mr Barton emphasised the fact that the adjustment, as will be effected by the Adjustment Court, was the logical approach to rehabilitation. Explaining that the committee’s leanings were towards loans rather than grants, he said that the loans would be spread over such long periods and at such a low rate of interest as to hamper no sound and wellconducted business. Moreover, the interest from such loans would provide funds for annuities to widows and others who had lost their bread-wmners and also for permanently .disabled men. Personal losses of this kind would be treated first. It had been decided to grant assistance for buildings and homes totally destroyed, this being next in importance to personal losses. The committee had been assured by the merchants of Auckland and Wellington that the buildings would not be allowed to remain empty for the lack of stocks. ... A statement attributed to the committee that traders would receive .nothing for stocks was refuted by Mr claimed that the actual statement was to the effect that applicants woulc, have to be content with making a more modest start With such assistance as the committee could recommend, they P would not be able to maintain such stocks as they had carried before the earth au ahe It was definite that £1,20D,000 was insufficient to meet all purposes, as being for local bodies. „„i- C r Among questions asked of the speaker the insolvency of a trader .were f entitled jKftsr as tailers to recommence in business. CLAIMS OF LOCAL LABOUR MR BARTON SYMPATHETIC. (Pee United Press Association.) HASTINGS, June 10. Sneaking to business men in Hastings this morning. Mr Barton referred to the importance of employing local workers on reconstruction. He was effiuely m ac; cord with,the resolution from the meet ing of Hastings working men to the cftect that every working man wished to rehabilitate himself as a worker and that only local labour should be engaged, as that was the .only means by wh, ch working man would be able to renao tot e himself. Mr Barton pomtod out however, that it was beyond the P°wc s of'the committee to force business people to carry out the request made m the resolution. The only thing the committee could do was morally to support thep ciple that local, labour should be em wherever possible. BUILDING REGULATIONS COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS. (Pee United Peess association.) WELLINGTON, June 10. A report of the work of the Building Regulation- Committee has been submitted to the Prime Minister (Mr G. W Forbes). It recommends comprehensive legislation providing for more control by the State over local body building bv-laws and authority for local bodies to demand a higher standard of instruction in areas subject to earthquakes., ibe recommendations are only tentatne. A permanent New Zealand Earthquake investigation Committee, modelled civ the Japanese organisation, is suggested. Dna - iraity was not reached concerning bri s. buildings, but the committee believed that brick construction should be limited to three storeys, and above that steel tram construction should be used. The found, - tions of future wooden structures should be braced more firmly. The committee was unable to solve the problem of an earthquake resisting chimney, but it believed that a successful type of construction would be evolved. The use of pumice concrete offered possibilities. I e report suggests the use of other methods of heating, avoiding the use of chimneys. In the past, says the report, too much work has been planned by men without a true sense of msthetic values or structural principles regarding reinforced concrete and steel buildings. The recommendations consist mainly of standardising what to-day is recognised as sound practice in design. The report emphasises the value of simplicity in design, integrity of workmanship, and efficient skilled supervision. More science and less mattrial are required. The motto 10 “ 1( L b better buildings at less cost. /e land people must realise that earthquake risk is undoubtedly great, and all struc tures not properly designed and con structed will suffer in severe shakes. in the future architect and engineer must pay more attention to earthquake resistant construction, and co-operate with the geologist and the seismologist m the application of scientific principles. The need for preparedness in the cities is urged. Emergency stations should pe selected inter connected by private telephone, where plans, records, etc., cam be preserved in the event of a great disaster. The necessity for critical examination ot all fire-fighting services, water supply, drainage, gas, etc., is obvious. REBUILDING OF HOTELS - LICENSING COMMITTEE’S POINTED HINT. (Per United Press Association, i HASTINGS, June 10. At a meeting of the Hawke s Bay Licensing Committee to-day Mr A. v\. Mowlem, S.M., said the committee had no wish to cause annoyance to the publicans who had been hard hit, but wished to raise the question when the hotels destroyed by the earthquake would be rebuilt. The committee did not wish it to be expected that the conditional

licenses for temporary bars could be carried on indefinitely. They were ready to help a man who had been hard hit, but there must sooner or later be a cessation of the present temporary arrangements. It was hoped that something definite would be done before the September meeting of the committee. He hoped the publicans concerned would get back to such conditions that they would have at least something licensable. It was not expected that the Grand Hotel and Masonic Hotel proprietors could do anything at present. Something ought to be done, however, in regard to the wooden buildings. Some would be prepared to carry oh for a long time with temporary bars, but the committee had the public to protect. _________