WAIROA’S PLIGHT

Southland Times, Issue 21823, 28 September 1932, Page 7

WAIROA’S PLIGHT

DOMINION APPEAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE URGENT FURTHER SHOCKS (Per United Press Association.) Wairoa, September 27. The Mayor (Mr Harker) stated in an interview to-day that the greater part of New Zealand had apparently forgotten that Wairoa recently had had a disastrous earthquake, the response to the appeal having been most disappointing. "Out of approximately £BOO received in Wairoa so far, over £6OO had come from Napier and Hastings, towns which can least afford it after the disaster of 1931,” he said. “The residents of these towns, however, know what disaster of this kind means and many of them have visited Wairoa since the earthquake and personally inspected the plight of the town and district.” The Mayor further stated that, unless some really substantial assistance was forthcoming, the position of the whole district would be most serious and he sincerely trusted the rest of New Zealand Would realize the Position and come to the assistance of the stricken area. An exceptionally sharp shock was experienced at 4.20 this afternoon and it caused much concern for it was Of lengthy duration. No further damage was reported. A second sharp jolt was felt at 6.15 but it was not serious. POSITION AT GISBORNE GOVERNMENT AID SOUGHT. Gisborne, September 27. The people of Gisborne were given an unpleasant reminder to-day that the earthquakes have not ceased, a short, sharp shock being experienced at 4.20 p.m. and a slight shock at 6.18 p.m. With a view to seeking assistance from the people of New Zealand and from the Government in connection with the recent earthquakes, a meeting of leading business men and citizens was held to-day, about 100 being present. The Mayor (Mr D. W. Coleman, M.P.) presided. Mr Coleman Said that many local residents had Suffered serious losses as a result of the earthquakes and never before had such a catastrophe overtaken the town. He was particularly struck when in Wellington to find there was a general impression that all the earthquake damage appeared to be about Wairoa and there Was little said about Gisborne. He did not wish to belittle the damage in Wairoa, but it seemed to him that the people in other parts, especially Wellington, hardly realized that the earthquake had been felt in Gisborne. People appeared to be of the opinion that if the earthquake Was felt here it had not affected the town to any considerable extent. This attitude, of course, did not affect the Government since an inspection of the affected area had been ordered but, if Gisborne was to benefit from the National Fund, then it Was necessary that the people in Wellington and other places should be advised of the true position locally. All present realized the serious consequences of earthquakes and they Would agree that Gisborne merited a just share of any relief offering and it was up to the people of Gisborne to let the rest of New Zealand know of their plight. Funds Limited. Continuing, Mr Coleman emphasized that he particularly wished to impress on the people the necessity of doing something for themselves. A committee had been set up to deal With the replacement of chimneys and tanks as far as possible. No money, however, was available from the Government and the only funds at the disposal of the committee was the money provided by public subscription. With that limited finance, therefore, it was possible for the committee to assist necessitous cases first. Until the committee knew What further funds would be available they could not extend their activity. The Mayor’s remarks Were endorsed by Messrs Charles Matthews (chairman of the Cook County Council), H. E. Maude (deputy-Mayor) and leading citizens, and the following resolution was passed unanimously; “That this meeting of business men and townspeople request that immediate financial assistance Should be granted by the Government to those who suffered loss by damage caused by the recent earthquakes afid that a committee be set up to gather the fullest information in regard to the losses.” The Mayor said that the time appeared fitting for urging some form of national insurance against earthquake damage. He had mentioned the matter in the House and the Prime Minister had promised to look into it. To-day earthquake insurance premiums were , very heavy, so heavy that many people had been forced to allow their policies to lapse and were unprotected at the time of the disaster. It was Gisborne’s turn to-day, but no one knew whose turn it wotild be tomorrow. . „ , , Mr Maude endorsed Mr Colemans remarks and said that the revenue from fire insurance was about £2,000,000 per annum. If a sum could be set aside annually and if no earthquake disasters occurred for a few years, a substantial capital could be built Up quickly. , , , A motion was carried to the effect that the time had arrived when the Government should initiate some scheme of earthquake insurance whereby relief could be granted in case of damage occurring. REPAIRS TO HOSPITAL ART UNION SUGGESTED. Gisborne, September 27. At a meeting of the Borough Council this evening it was decided that in view of the earthquake damage at Cook Hospital, which was estimated at between £5OOO and £6OOO, the council should suggest to the Hospital Board that it apply to the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) fot a permit to hold an art union to raise funds for the hospital repairs occasioned by the earthquake. WORKS AUTHORIZED Wellington, September 27. The Hon. C. E. MacMillan (Acting Minister of Public Works) states that the Government is taking immediate steps to alleviate the distress caused by the earthquake at Wairoa and Cabinet has agreed to an expenditure of £950 for the repair of the pipe line and so on. It has been decided to proceed immediately with the erection of a pontoon bridge across the river at a cost estimated at £5OO. Use Will be made of 40-gallon oil drums of which there are quite a number out towards Waikafemoana and provision for unhooking the bridge at flood time to avoid damage by timber coming down.