EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22211, 14 March 1934, Page 8

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE

INSPECTION BY MINISTER QUESTION OF GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE (Per United Press Association.) PAHIAT UA, March 13. The Minister ot Lands (Mr E. A. Hansom), replying to a deputation, said that unquestionably the loss of many individuals was heavy by virtue of their own financial circumstances. The aim should be to restore businesses as far as possible, though permanent erections were not advisable till they were sure that the district had arrived at a stable condition again. It was quite evident that seemingly secure walls would have to be taken down. The previous day, with the Minister of Education (Mr R. Masters), he had visited the Akitio coastal districts, where the damage was very serious. The Government, in rendering any assistance at all, must be sure that it was fair and equitable. If any people were in danger of having to go out of business special consideration would have to be given them. One thing botli he and Mr Masters felt sorry for was the man whose premises were damaged solely as the result of falling debris from a neighbouring shop or wall. The suggestion that the Public Works Department should take a hand in the general re-erection of chimneys in the town and country, Mr Ransom tjiought, was a wise one. Cabinet would take into serious consideration the question of providing temporary finance for a term of years. All soldier Crown tenants would get assistance in repairing chimneys. He thought that the suggestion of Government assistance under, the building subsidy scheme could also be readily given. He thought also that the Unemployment Board should be able to help in clearing up the debris, etc. Mr Masters, after an inspection of the town, said that there was never a greater need for regulations regarding buildings being brought into operation in this country. It -was absolutely patent to him that the sooner the Government placed the responsibility on municipalities of adopting a model set of building by-laws the better. Mr Masters also said he would seriously consider the introduction of stoves and iron pipes to circle the walls of each classroom in the schools, so as to dispense with chimneys and obviate the clanger of bricks falling on to the children. He had planned thus to make the schools absolutely safe. He hoped the Government would do as much for the district ns had been done for Hawke’s Bay. He said he had had a fair amount of experience of the Hawke’s Bay earthquake, and what Pahiatua was going through was in a smaller degree similar. This was one time admittedly when the people could come to the Government for assistance.

The Mayor explained that until the Public Works engineer’s report had been completed no correct idea of the damage to property could be estimated and tabulated for the information of Ministers. Mr Ransom said at Mr Forbes’s suggestion he had no promises to make or assurances to offer. Mr Forbes first of all wished the full facts ascertained by the two Ministers to be placed before Cabinet. STATE OF BUSINESS PREMISES (Peb United Press Association.) PAHIATUA, March 13. At a meeting of the Borough Council last night a detailed report by two officers of the Public Works Department on the state of the business premises damaged by the earthquake was submitted and taken in committee. It was resolved to negotiate with an outside architect for the services of a building inspector to peruse the plans and specifications of the proposed reconstruction works. The fire brigade was heartily thanked for its splendid service on the night of the earthquake. Two men ax - e now taking a tally of the damaged chimneys of the borough. SEISMOLOGIST'S REPORT

TREMOR’S CENTRE AT SEA,

(Peb United Press Association.)

March 13,

Reports received by the Government seismologist (Dr Adams) now enable him definitely to place the epi-centre of last week’s earthquake about 50 miles out to sea, south-east of the area where it was felt most strongly. "It may seem curious/’ he said, “that the worst effects of the earthquake were felt not near the epi-centre, but over an area some distance from it; but such has been the case in many other earthquakes, and is a phenomenon seismologists are unable to explain. The indications point to the earthquake being of deepseated origin, perhaps 10 miles below the surface.” WANGANUI SUFFERERS (Pee United Peess Association.) WANGANUI, March 13. The Wanganui City Council decided to-night to ask the Government for financial assistance for those in straitened circumstances who had suffered loss through the recent earthquake. A report on the damage done was submitted by the engineer (Mr L. F. Row), who pointed out that while Wanganui had been more fortunate than some other centres it would be lacking in foresight if it did not heed the lessons of the earthquake. He stressed how important the water supply was in the period immediately following a severe earthquake, and said that if the recent shake had occurred in winter time the damage from fire through broken chimneys would have been very great. He added that relatively few buildings had suffered serious structural damage, but a large number of brick structures had been cracked.

“By far the greatest menace to the public safety was the large number of badly damaged parapets and high ornamental fronts, some of which toppled over completely.” Although not wishing to suggest panic or scare measures he believed that some definite' action towards the elimination of these danger spots would not be a hardship to the owners and would indicate a forward step in the interests of public safety. Mr Row commended the city earthquake relief organisation for functioning so quickly after the earthquake.