QUIETENED DOWN

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 44, 26 June 1929, Page 6

QUIETENED DOWN

POSITION AT MURCHISON. SETTLORS RETURN TO HOMES. FAMILIES LEFT AT NELSON. NELSON, This Lay. It is still raining ai Murchison tins afternoon, but the quakes* and rumblings have quieted down con siderably. Newman Bros took a- full ccrvce car load through to Murchison today. • These were mostly settlers who have been out for some days and are going back to their homes, leaving their wives and families in Nelson.

TELEGRAPH OFFICE CLOSED. POLICE REMAIN ON GUARD. SEVEN HUNDRED REFUGEES ; NOW IN NELSON. NELSON, This Day. I The- Murchison camp was disbanded to-day.

The telegraph office at Murchison was temporarily closed at 11.30 this morning, the telephone being mft for the use of two police officers, Constable Robertson, of Murchison, and Constable J. Jackson, of Nelson, who is keeping guard with him. Both are 'to remain. The Post, and Telegraph staff engaged in the trying ordeal ha\e been; H. Patterson, postmaster at Murchison; P. Moreland, cadet; B. A. S. Reade and W. R. McKay, exchange clerks. Two Nelson telegraphists, Messrs A. H. Buchanan and James McLoughlin, were sent on to Murchison to relieve the staff there and have spent many trying days in the township. ) Dr. Potaka, of the Nelson Hospital staff, proceeded] to Murchison yesterday to relieve Dr. McLean.

It is estimated that fully seven hundred Murchison refugees are now in Nelson. The Railway Department alone carried 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 Mr J. G. Coates on his recent visit to Murchison, said' today: “Mention should be mad© in connection with the splendid work that has. been done at Murchison of the efforts of a Salvation Army officer, Cap't. Walker, of Reefton, and William Blom. They set out lor the stricken area from Reefton. They went to see -if assistance was required at Upper Manila Road. Finding matters going satisfactorily, they proceeded on down to Murchison, where their services have been much appreciated. To have accomplished the journey under present conditions On an errand of mercy was very fine.”