HAVOC OF EARTHQUAKE

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1929, Page 11

HAVOC OF EARTHQUAKE

METHODS OF RESTORATION CRITICISM FROM WESTPORT. SOME IMPATIENCE DISCLOSED. (By Wire—Special to News.) Westport, Last Night. After visiting Nelson, Murchison and Westport it is impossible to be unaware of a feeling pf impatience at the comparative slowness at which the work of restoration in the earthquake area is proceeding. The Public Works Department has done splendid work on the essential roads—work that can be appreciated by only those who saw the roads as they were immediately after the shake.

The only cavilling at what is being done in this connection appears to arise out of differences of opinion as to just what road work should be given precedence. This, however, is inevitable when so much inquiry has to be undertaken, and so far as can be gathered the work put in hand has been wisely chosen. It is in the matter of restoration of private property that complaint is heard. It is not loud at present, but is widespread. While everybody realises that the task is difficult there is a strong feeling that the central committee is getting hold of the wrong end of the stick. It may be that the committee has a complete answer to the criticism commonly heard in the earthquake districts. The position is that the committee is calling on persons who seek relief grants to fill in application forms, giving as complete a disclosure of their financial status as the income tax office requires and withholding action until the financial eligibility of the applicant is established. While everybody realises that great eare is needed to prevent imposition, there is a general feeling that the policy adopted overlooks some important aspects of the problem and must greatly delay the work of restoration.

The basic facts of the situation arc: First, that a great deal of damage to private property has been done here in Westport. Practically every house has damage done to it, according to the local committee, the chief trouble being fallen chimneys. In the second place there is in the various districts only a limited amount of skilled labour available for the work needed, and the local committees have no control over that labour. In the third place it ‘is necessary to bear in mind that whether a man has an income of £4 or £4O a week, it makes no difference to his elemental human need of a roof over his head and at least one fireplace in working order. The feeling is that the real need Is to get every home going again as rapidly as possible after the essential minimum has been effected in each case. The frills can be left over, and after the job has been done it will be time enough to decide how much each householder should pay out of his own pocket and how much should come from public subscription or State grant. That part, it is contended, can be as well settled after as before, and people should not live in the wet and cold while it is being discussed. Many critics are heard alleging that the present plan of working is resulting in people in a position to pay outright for their repairs getting a first call on most of the available labour. One suggestion the writer has heard is that a good executive is needed to get this essential work in all the districts going on sound lines. One local body man expressed the opinion that if an engineer such as Mr. Tyndale, of the Main Highways Board, were put on to the task things would soon begir to move. “As it is,” said this critic, “it looks to me as if it will be a good three years before Westport has its last chimney up again.” The general feeling through all the districts is that an executive to get things done is needed much more urgently than a committee to talk of what* should be done.