WESTPORT DESOLATED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 693, 19 June 1929, Page 1

WESTPORT DESOLATED

LIKE A BOMBARDED TOWN TERRIFIED INHABITANTS (Special to THE SUNJ CHRISTCHURCH, Today. Terrifying is the only word which can describe the experience of the people of Westport as the buildings cracked and chimneys crashed. When the first big. shock had subsided women were found hysterically weeping in the street. Houses in the back streets of the town were torn from their verandahs and in places the road has dropped some 2ft. There is not a building in the town which is not seriously damaged and the people will not be able to cope with the situation without Government assistance. The town looks as if It had been bombarded. Practically every building is empty and people are congregating in open spaces. The Westport “News” Office did not suffer so badly, but the “Times” will not be able to publish for several days. On the road to the mines huge fissures have appeared on the road and one bridge in particular has lifted about sft. Te Aro House, one of the largest drapery establishments in the town, is beyond repair. The water supply has been off in many places. Almost before the first shake had stopped the fire brigade had both engines out and took a great risk in bringing them up the main street in case of an outbreak of fire.

MR. HOLLAND’S CLOSE CALL

LYING ILL IN BED PEOPLE’S SPLENDID SPIRIT Press Association * WELLINGTON, Today. A message from Westport states that Mr. H. E. Holland, M.P., Leader of the Labour Party, was ill at his home in Queen Street, and did not leave his bed until after all the chimneys in the dwelling had crashed. It ■was with the utmost difficulty that he managed to get from his bedroom to the verandah, and eventually to a place of safety. Household goods littered the floor, and in some cases shelves were dragged from their fittings. Most of the crockery was smashed. In a Press interview, Mr. Holland said he felt it his duty to express his appreciation of the splendid spirit of mutual aid displayed by every section of the community. There was everywhere an eagerness to give assistance wherever it was needed, and it was extremely gratifying to know that, despite the disastrous nature of the earthquake, there had been such a small number of casualties. Already he had co-operated with the Mayor of Westport, Mr. J. H. Harkness, in notifying the Government that assistance toward repairing the damage would be sought on his arrival in j Wellington shortly. ALARM AT LYELL WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO LEAVE ■; CLEARING THE ROADS Press Association WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The postmaster at Murchison advises that the road is completely blocked from four miles south of Murchison to the Buller Bridge. The road lias not been traversed further than this point, and eonsider- ! able anxiety is felt for. the safety of | the township of Lyell, and the service ! cars which were expected to leave the ; vicinity of Lyell yesterday. At a public meeting this morning it ; was decided to form a pick and shovel • working gang_ to open the road 1o ! Nelson so as to get the women and 1 children out. tCominued on Page lid