DEVASTATED MURCHISON

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1929, Page 11

DEVASTATED MURCHISON

ABANDONMENT DEPRECATED CONFIDENCE OF COUNTY CLERK. SUN NOT GONE OUT OF BUSINESS. By Telegraph.—i’ress Association. Nelson, Last Night. -It is a matter of deep, concern to those who still hqlve faith in the Murcihson district to hear some of its citizens declare that they will never go back there to live,” said Mr. Hugh Fraser, Murchison county clerk, to a reporter. “Whether it be farmer or business man or woman, surely with few exceptions it is much too soon to decide so vital a question. “The Murchison people were as a whole a contented and fairly prosperous community when the earthquake came along and upset them temporarily. They were a happily united people, just like one big family, and it would be a matter for regret if the earthquake resulted in too many gaps in their ranks. .It may be taken for granted that others will take the places of those who may finally decide to leave, but the point cannot be too strongly emphasised that in some cases at least they may go far and fare worse.

“It is true that a few farms , have been rendered totally unfit for dairying and that others have been so badly damaged as to greatly reduce their productivity for a time, but the great majority of the farms have sustained little or no damage. The output of dairy produce may be reduced by 25 per cent, or even 30 per cent, next season, but anyone with a knowledge of the district and its' possibilities will admit that it is capable of making a complete and speedy recovery in point of output. “Few farmers or others have escaped fairly heavy Josses through damage to buildings. This is general over most of the country and will call for courage and determination to build them up again, but this does not materially affect production. On some of the farms a greater measure of assistance is needed, and probably the relief funds cannot well bo better applied than in as far as possible setting the producers on their feet again. As for the houses, a good gang of men under skilled direction would soon put these in order, and the making of all the homes habitable would seem to be the most urgent and pressing need of the moment.

PUBLIC WORKS MOVE AWAITED.

"Although representations were macle only three clays after the earthquake suggesting that the Public Works Department undertake the restoration of the homes,” continued Mr. Fraser, "three weeks have now passed without any move having been made. Meantime, more or less depreciation of property is taking place through leaking roofs, etc. It is, nowSVer, admittedly difficult for the Government to decide or declare its policy until the full extent of the damage in all parts has been'ascertained. “Taking it for granted that sufficient funds will ultimately be made available for this purpose either by the Government or those controlling the relief funds, the Public Works Department might well be authorised to proceed with the restoration of chimneys at once, and the cost of the work could be treated as part of the compensation or relief moneys payable. It is not a case of sitting down and waiting for the Government to do everything; it 'is simply impossible for the individual householders to secure the necessary skilled labour.

“It is a matter of the greatest importance that the Government should take steps to assist the people in this way, for it would not only speed up the return to normal conditions but it would do much to restore confidence. Many men have already returned to their homes and the womenfolk are eager to join them at the earliest possible moment, but the unwisdom of women and children returning to many of the homes in their present condition cannot be too strongly stressed.

“So far as Murchison‘is concerned the sun has not gone out of business. There are good times coming. Very considerable expenditure of public money there, which is assured, will of itself make business brisk and benefit the whole district by increasing the amount of ready money in circulation. There is a big task ahead, but the majority of the people have the courage and faith to face it and will ultimately reap their reward.,, “One of the immediate tasks Murchison has to tackle is removing from the minds of those who cannot view it for themselves the damaging impression of the district which must have resulted from exaggerated reports given by excited people.”

Mr. Fraser said the main newspaper reports had been fair in every way, but in one or two instances reports from excited people had got into print, giving a very absurd and exaggerated idea of tho damage. “Three weeks ago Murchison was regarded by many as a sinking ship,” added Mr. Fraser. “Three years lienee, with a railway right into tho township, the main highways to the coast and over Lewis Pass completed and everybody happy and prosperous, it will be the envy of many who now regard it as a veritable no man’s land.”

REFUGEES FROM SEDDONVILLE. REST FROM THEIR NERVE STRAIN Westport, Last Night. About 120 refugees from Seddonville arrived in Westport this evening and are billeted out amongst residents. o They leave in the morning for Reefton en route to Christchurch under the care of., the Salvation Army, who are arranging for their billeting in the Cathedral City with a view to giving them a change from their nerve-wracking experiences. A big ’quake to-day nearly brought down a bridge at Orawaiti carrying the water main to Westport. The work of straightening’ and strengthening the bridge was just completed last Saturday and the tools and other gear returned to the town. At present the bridge is being held up through tho fastenings on to the railway traffic (bridge, which runs beside it, pending .further steps to straighten and strengthen it. It will be some weeks before the 14-inch main is ready to resume service.