QUAKE DISASTER

Southland Times, Issue 21331, 27 February 1931, Page 7

QUAKE DISASTER

RELIEF OF REFUGEES.

PALMERSTON’S SHARE. (Per United Press Association.) Palmerston North, February 26. The Mayor, in a statement, said the total expenditure on earthquake relief in this centre would be in the vicinity of £40,000 or £50,000. The generosity of the people had allowed the arrangements to be carried out at a minimum of cost and it was anticipated that the cost of rations, including cooking, would be under sixpence per head daily. Enormous supplies'had been received free. The generosity of all the public was simply amazing. A full statement of accounts was being rendered to the Government and a very firm control of the expenditure had been exercised. The situation reflected the greatest credit on all concerned. NAPIER’S DEATH LIST TWO BODIES IDENTIFIED. Napier, February 26. Two bodies previously buried have been identified as follows: Mrs Emily Elizabeth Wells, wife of G. R. Wells, of Napier. Mr Walter George Lunn, aged 25, married, of Napier. The weather is fine. Several small shockj have been felt since 9 p.m. yesterday. HOSPITAL PATIENTS PALMERSTON NORTH. , Palmerston North, February 26. A hospital bulletin states: The following earthquake case was admitted: Mrs Violet May Gardiner, from showgrounds camp. The following were discharged from hospital: Fred Wilson, Ken Cutfield, and M. Redmond, all of Napier. DAMAGED BUILDINGS STATEMENTS BY ARCHITECTS. RESENTMENT EXPRESSED. At the annual conference of the New Zealand Master Builders’ Federation yesterday the following resolution was carried: “That the New Zealand Master Builders’ Federation deprecates the action of individual architects in making statements to the Press concerning the workmanship of buildings destroyed in the recent disaster in the Hawkes Bay district, before making a thorough investigation of all the circumstances surrounding the erection of such buildings.” “The recent disaster in Hawkes Bay has made apparent to both architects and builders the inadequacy of the present by-laws to deal with forces hitherto not considered in construction,” said the president of the federation, Mr N. Cole, in supplementing the resolution. “We resent strongly the implications made in certain quarters that the extent of the disaster was due to faulty work by tradesmen. This implication has been made purely by individuals without due investigation. There is no doubt that the majority of the remarks could be refuted.

“There is much to be learned from this disaster," continued Mr Cole, “and buildings that were designed and built both with and without architects have, in many instances, suffered a like fate. There is no doubt that the Government has adopted a wise course in appointing a committee to frame Dominion building by-laws, having due regard to earthquake resistance and thereby affording the best possible protection to life and property. In view of the value of practical experience the federation is particularly desirous that another builder should be added to the personnel of the committee.”