LIKE WAR-STRICKEN TOWN

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1931, Page 7

LIKE WAR-STRICKEN TOWN

DESOLATION AT HASTINGS

HEROIC RELIEF WORK DONE, ]

many buried beneath ruins.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Wellington, Feb. 15.

The whole of Hastings is in ruins and resembles a. war-stricken town, states the Press Association agent at Hastings in a message sent by aeroplane. A heavy toll was taken, of life and property, but gallant efforts are being made to preserve the well-being of the afflicted people. 4

The broad streets are littered with debris of demolished buildings and the mangled contents of business houses. There is tragic uncertainty as to how many bodies lie beneath the piled masses of brick and concrete. Efforts at recovery are being made ceaselessly, citizens taking turns at the terrible task.

The Royston Hospital is intact and its limited capacity is now crowded to overflowing, while in addition 64 patients are being treated in the racecourse pavilion, 30 of whom will be sent to Wellington ‘by ambulance and the remainder to WaipukUrau when trains are available.

There is an adequate medical and nursing staff. A train arrived this morning from. Takapau with supplies which are now being distributed under the guidance of a special committee. Food supplies will be a big problem as the business and shopping area is totally wrecked. It is reckoned that the present known death roll will be more than doubled when the remaining bodies are recovered. REVIVAL OF THE FIRE. During the night fire swept a 'block in. the centre of the town, completely gutting the’Union Bank and National. 'Bank, which had survived the earthquake. . The fire originated in the ruins of the Grand Hotel and a light breeze carried it to the adjoining buildings. The town is splendidly organised by efficient committees responsible for food, water, and patrolling the streets to prevent (fires and/ looting. Citizens have rallied willingly to assist the committees in every way. All brick buildings have perished, but those of reinforced concrete or wood, except in the centre of the town, escaped more lightly, though the damage even then is enormous.

Tha shortage of water this morning was a difficulty. The National Bank is now a shell only the four walls standing. All food supplies and ’benzine have been commandeered and rationed. It is hoped to get water shortly. Another sharp shock at 8.15 last night completed the destruction of some buildings. Only a few were injured in houses. Slight tremdre continued during the night and morning at frequent intervals.

The massive Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ building is intact without even a minute crack.

An aeroplane service has been requisitioned by the Post Office to carry messages, leaving at 2 o’clock daily. Good work was don© last night by electricians, who fully lighted toe main street, thus making, patrolling easier.; The gas supply is cut off. Dangerous streets are roped off as many buildings are in a state of imminent collapse. ROACH’S BUILDING TRAGEDY* - It is suspected that the greatest number of missing are buried under Roach’s, Westerman’s, the public library- and the ruin's of the post office tower.

Fifty persons were on the top floor of Roach’s when the earthquake occurred and it is unknown how many escaped. The Havelock bridge collapsed, carrying with it the maifis of the Hastings water supply. Council pumps are filling tanks on trollies and distributing as much water as possible. The municipal buildings and theatre ar© still standing and the power house is in commission. The Public Trust Office is intact, but the Tribune bujldings opposite -are completely wrecked, and the chief reporter, Mr. A. L. Ryan, is among' the missing. All the rest of the staff miraculously escaped except Mr. Bluett, a linotypist, who was badly injured. The post office is a mass of ruins, the -Methodist Church is levelled io the ground, but the Anglican Church has very slight damage, as also has th© Catholic Church. The Presbyterian Church lost its spire. There were many acts of heroism. Tom Gills, auctioneer, was buried in debris whilst carrying out an unconscious woman. The casualty list would have ‘been appalling if toe streets had 'been narrow, as the walls falling outwards did not reach th© centre of the road, leaving it a crowded safety .zone. The Havelock North residential area, in which are several mansions in concrete and stone, escaped damage other than fallen, chimneys. 'Brick shops in th© township suffered the same as in Hastings. It is impossible to make an estimate with accuracy of the total financial loss occasioned .'by the earthquake.

MOHAKA HOTEL BURNED

HUGE SLIP ON THE ROAD.

MUD OUTBURST ABOVE RIVER.

Gisborne, Feb. 4.

A narrow escape was experienced by passengers in a car which left Napier yesterday morning, and which had Just passed Mohafca when a. large slip came down, completely blocking the road. The vehicle only just escaped being caught by the slip, which contained many tons of earth.

The Mohaka Hotel cqught fire after the shock and was burned to the <’ round, while near Wairoa another . ouse suffered a similar fate. At one point an area of five acres disappeared into the river. In. .some parts of. the road were huge fissures in .the surface; some of these extending right across the road, being as much as 4ft. in width.

’ An inspection of the earth “movement and mud outburst was made by .the Cook county overseer. A mud eruption took place on a river terrace above the river, and covered the ground for six or eight feet, flowing eventually into the river. The river bed was filled at this point and was also blocked at other places, ■••• ' '~"~ 1