THIRD EDITION. OVER 700 REFUGEES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16987, 26 June 1929, Page 11

THIRD EDITION. OVER 700 REFUGEES

MURCHISON DESERTED POST OFFICE CLOSED PRAISE FOR OFFICIALS I (Per Press Association.) NELSON, this day. The Murchison camp disbanded today, and the telegraph office at Murchison was temporarily closed at 11.80 o’clock this morning, ,the telephone being left for the use of two police officers, Constable Robertson, of Murchison, and Constable J. Jackson, of Nejspn, who is keeping guard with him. Both are to remain. The post and telegraph staff engaged in the trying ordeal have been Messrs. H. Patterson, postmaster at Murchison, P. Moreland, cadet, and B. A. S. Reade and W. R. McKay, exchange clerks. Two Nelson telegraphists, Messrs A. 11. Buchanan and James McLoughlin, were sent on to Murchison to relieve the staff there, and have spent many trying days in the township. Dr. Potqkn, of the Nelson Hospital staff, proceeded to Murchison yesterday to relieve Dr. McLean. It is estimated that fully 700 Murchison ■ refugees are now in Nelson. The Railway Department alonecarried 522, and in addition many came in by motor, some going straight to personal friends. Everything possible is being done for the newcomers. The Hon. W. W. Snodgrass, who accompanied the Rt. Hon J. G. Coates on his recent visit to Murchison, said to-day: “Mention should be made in connection with the splendid work that has been dont at Murchison of the efforts of the Salvation Army officers, Captain Walker, of Reefton, and Captain William Blom. They 3et out for the stricken area from Reefton and went to see if assistance was required at Upper Maruia road. Finding that matters weer going satisfactorily there thev proceeded on down to Murchison, where their services have been much appreciated. To have accomplished the journey under the present conditions on an errand of mercy was very fine,” concluded Mr. Snodgrass. It was still raining at Murchison this afternoon, but the ’quakes and rumblings have quietened down considerably. Messrs. Newman Bros, took a full service car load through to Murchison to-day. These are mostly settlers who have been out for some days, and are going back to their homes, leaving their wives and families in Nelson.

NOT VOLCANIC

MORE EXPERT OPINION

(Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, this day. Professor Park, of Otago Schbol of Mines, says the Nelson earthquakes were not volcanic, but due to earth movements which will continue till the internal crustal stresses peach a state of equilibrium. There was no evidence of vulcanieity in any part of the Nelsoni district for nearly two whole geological epochs. FUND AT NEW PLYMOUTH ' (Per Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. An earthquake relief fund opened by the Taranaki Herald at the request of the Mayor is approaching £4OO. The) donations include £SO from the New Plymouth Savings Bank. herald relief fund OVER £IOO RAISED The following additional donations to the earthquake relief fund have been received at the Herald Office :

£ s. d. Previously acknowledged ... 83 13 0 Mrs. ft. BjiiTon ... 2 0 0 L. C. Rhodes ... 1 0 0 H.J.B ... 3 3 0 Jas. Innes ... 1 1 0 H. W. Barker ... 5 0 0 Mrs. McClive ... 1 0 0 Miss Rasie ... 2 0 0 M.L ... 1 0 0 Kells and Turnbull ... 10 0 0 * Total ... 109 17 0