ACCOMMODATION FOR 100

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1931, Page 6

ACCOMMODATION FOR 100

PEOPLE EAGER TO ASSIST,

STRATFORD RELIEF ACTIVITY.

Stratford is perturbed over the later reports from the earthquake devastated area and the Mayor (Mr. P. Thomson) is being inundated with offers of assistance either by way of gifts of food and clothing or the billeting of refugees. Mr. Thomson telegraphed the Prime Minister yesterday undertaking to find accommodation at once for 100 people in Stratford and district if desired.

Meanwhile the Mayor and Mayoress spent a busy time yesterday'organising throughout the town and by telephone to country districts in connection with the receipt of supplies of clothing. Steps were also taken to ensure an attendance as widely representative as possible at the meeting held yesterday afternoon. Telegraphing the Hon. R. Masters, who is at present in the devastated area, Mr. Thomson stated that the women of Stratford wished to know whether clothing for children was required, and what other help could be given. Numerous offers of help have been received from people with nursing experience, and the Boy Scouts of Stratford have also placed their services unreservedly at the Mayor’s disposal. Already there is a large pile of bundles of clothing accumulated in the borough offices, arid more bundles are being added hourly. Mr. R. Fraser, baker, placed a large consignment of loaves at the mayor's disposal, and this acceptable form of food was dispatched on Wednesday by Mr. R. E. J. Kivell, who has gone to Napier for news of his mother and relatives.

This evening a special meeting of the borough council has been called for 7.30 p.m. to consider the-Prime Minister’s appeal for financial assistance from local bodies. Immediately afterwards the Mayor has called a public meeting of all willing to help. Donations to the relief funds may be left at the office of the town clerk.

A combined service of prayer and intercession has been arranged to take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon in the Town Hall. All citizens are asked to attend. A collection will be taken and the proceeds will be handed to the Mayor for relief purposes. Mr. W. L. Kennedy, chairman of the Stratford Hospital Board, has telegraphed the Director-General of Health (Dr. Watt) that beds are available for five men and 10 women patients at the Stratford hospital. Yesterday afternoon Mr. Thomson received a telegram from the acting postmaster at Dannevirke asking if Stratford could accommodate any of the women and children that are being evacuated from Napier. The Mayor replied that (Stratford could accommodate 100 of them. Those residents in Stratford and districts who have not as yet advised that they can billet refugees, but those desiring to do so are asked therefore to communicate with the town clerk, (Stratford, as soon as possible. GENERAL ITEMS. One ferro-concrete building in the centre of the devastated area in Hastings was still as intact as the day it was built, says Dr. W. P. P. Gordon, Stratford, who returned yesterday. It was therefore possible to built a concrete building that would stand severe shocks. A motion of sympathy with all those who had suffered as the result of the earthquake was passed by the women who met in Stratford yesterday to arrange for earthquake relief. "There seemed to be plenty of meat available, due to the cold storages being disorganised and the meat having to be either given away or destroyed, while there were two bakeries started in Hastings and one bread depot in Napier,”

states Dr.’ W. P. P. Gordon, Stratford, who returned to Stratford yesterday. The people in. the area affected had great difficulty in getting _ telegrams away, he said, arid those outside the district need not. despair even if they had not yet received news from friends or relations. ’

Mr. Ben, Johnson’s boxing school at Eltham has resumed training. Several pupils are undergoing instruction, and there are vacancies for several more pupils. - ■; ■

BOWLING AT STRATFORD. The shield bowling match between Avon and Tariki did not takq place yesterday afternoon owing to Tariki’s inability to collect a team. The Stratford Club had a bye and members played a progressive pairs tournament,. 24 taking part. Sanderson and W. Ewing tied for premiership in the skips competition, while Higgs and Douglas tied in the leads. These'four were paired by drawing and in the

play-off Higgs and Ewing defeated Douglas and‘Sanderson on the last head.-’*. WHANGAMOMONA RAINFALL. / The rainfall at Whangamomona for January was the heaviest for seven years, 10.73 inches being recorded. In January, 1930, 8.53 inches fell, with - 19 wet days. There were 12 : days with rain last month, the heaviest fall being on January 20, when the gauge registered 2.19 inches. .