EARTHQUAKE FUND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 26

EARTHQUAKE FUND.

FINAL MEETING OF COMMITTEE.

STATEMENT -TO BE ISSUED.

WELLINGTON, September 22. The Central Committee appointed to administer the funds raised to relieve distress caused by the Buller earthquake last year held its final meeting to-day. Before disbanding, the members were thanked for their services by the chair man, the Acting Prime Minister (Mr E. A. Ransom). A statement setting out the position of the fund will be issued within a day or so. In addition to the Acting Prime Minister, the meeting was attended by the Minister of Education (Mr H. Atmore), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr J. G. Coates), the Mayor of Wellington, the Public Trustee, the engineer-in-chief and the Under secretary of the Public Works Department, the Controller and Auditorgeneral, and Mr R. E. Hayes, who represented the Secretary of the Treasury. The committee received a report from the consisting of Colonel Campbell and Mr Macdonald, on the question of annuities to the widows and the dependents of the persons killed. The committee’s recommendations were generally adopted, with a proviso that the members of the sub-committee be empowered further to review each case before the purchase of annuities is proceeded with. The committee directed also that as far as possible the annuities be purchased under the Inalienable Annuities Act, 1910. A suggestion was made that compassionate grants be given to those who had suffered bereavement through the earthquake, notwithstanding that grants have already been made to these people for the loss of property. The committee regretted, however, that it was unable to make any provision by way of compassionate grants as suggested. It was decided that a statement of the position of the fund should be published, and this was left in the chairman’s hands. It was explained that the payment of grants had not yet been completed by the district committees, hence it had not been possible to prepare a final statement for publication. At the conclusion of the meeting the chairman expressed his pleasure at being associated w-ith the committee, which had administered the Central Earthquake Fund in such a satisfactory manner.

STATEMENT BY MR RANSOM. WELLINGTON, September 23. The position of widows and others under the earthquake relief fund and the money still available were discussed by the Acting Prime Minister (Mr E. A. Ransom) in reply to a question by Mr G. C. Black, United member for Motueka in the House of Representatives to-day. The report of the sub-committee set up to consider the position of widows was received at a meeting of the Central Earthquake Committee held yesterday, said Mr Ransom. The recommendations of the sub-committee were generally adopted subject to the proviso that the sub-committee should be empowered further to review each case before the purchase of annuities wat finalised. The necessary action was being taken to give effect to the decisions of the committee. It was inadvisable that personal details should be published, but the cost of the annuities and other assistance recommended would be approximately £14,460, subject to proof of age being submitted. There were applications for assistance on hand which still had to be dealt with by the executive of the Central Committee. These referred to property damage only, and would be dealt with forthwith. After allowing for these applications and for periodical payments which must continue for some time on account of loss of access to farms, there would be a balance of approximately £4OOO in the fund, which was considered to be little enough to provide for contingencies which would doubtless arise. “In reply to the question as to whether the town clerk of Nelson and others will be remunerated for services rendered, 1 may say this matter was specially considered at a meeting of the Central Earthquake Committee held on July 28 last,” said Mr Ransom. The committee regretted, however, that it was unable to agree to any payments being made from the earthquake relief fund as honoraria to secretaries as it had already affirmed the principle that the fund should not be used for the purpose of paying any salaries. Finally a statement of the position of the fund is being prepared as soon as possible for publication in the press, although at the moment the payment' of grants through district committees is not finalised.