PREPARING FOR RELIEF

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1931, Page 4

PREPARING FOR RELIEF

ORGANISATION IN NEW PLYMOUTH

PROPOSAL . FOR. ENCAMPMENTS.

The organisation' of relief at New Plymouth for those who suffered in the earthquake in Hawke’s Bay was advanced a stage further .yesterday when the central committee set up at the public. meeting; oh- Thursday held its first meeting. Present: Messrs. H. V. S. Griffiths (chairman), J. McLeod, T. C. List, L. M. Mosfi, C. H. Burgess, A. F; Sandford, u W. D. 'Awnit, R. W. D. Robertson, P. E. Stainton, F. J. Hill and G. M. Spence. The last-named was added to the committee at the meeting. To acquire central offices for the committee the chairman. and Mr. McLeod were authorised to make inquiries about rooms in King’s building, Devon Street.

Stating that it was • necessary to have a telephone, Ml". Griffiths reported -that number 700 had been offered the committee by the subscriber holding it arid had been accepted, the Postal Department agreeing to hold thia number always for emergency purposes. On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce Mr. Moss undertook to arrange for the furnishing of the rooms. Votes of thanks were passed to the chamber and to Mr. Marsh,'.the-, telephone subscriber who hud 1 given up his number to the committee. Mr; F. J. Hill , was appointed secretary to the committee: arid Mr, Matthews (borough treasurer) treasurer. The chairman said. he had received numerous offers of assistance in organising relief measures and he suggested the°names of ■ those concerned should be given the secretary to enable him to select assistants. -Mr. List reported that Mr. Bcslpy had placed his begonia house at the disposal of. the committee to help in the raising of funds and so. that refugees might visit it. QUESTION' OF BILLETTING. The listing of those who had offered billots was set under way at a meeting of-the Rotary Club committee that morning, said Mr, Stainton. . In order that there should be no duplication, the ciiib’s coriimittee hoped to co-operate with the central committee and to secure accommodation in -the same office or building. Mr. Gibson, of Gibson’s Motors, Ltd., was to act as transport officer. They desired to make it known that all people who were prepared to provide accommodation could work through the club a?id that the central committee’s telephone was available to tliein for the purposes of this branch of. the Work. ; , '

Mr. Stainton suggested it would be a good idea to . establish community camps on the seafront reserves of the town and to transfer the billettcd refugee? to them. They would be happier there among members of their own community. .Many were at present in camp at Palmerston North. The chairman thought it a good suggestion. The committee had the offer of the East . End pavilion, cottages at Ngamotu and tents froni the Defence Department. Waitara was prepared to accommodate 50 or 60 refugees. Mr. List suggested residents should be invited to' nominate friend? or relatives among the refugees whom they would like to have staying with them. The committee could then endeavour to make the necessary arrangements. Mr. Staintou said the ■ Rotary Club Would keep in touch with the Palmerston North camp. It was eventually decided:— That it be a. recommendation to the Rotary Club that seaside camp* be made/’available for the main body of the refugees, that refugees expressing preference for private billetting be allocated amongst the citizens volunteering such accommodation and: that New Plymouth residents having friends whom they desire to accommodate be asked to

send particulars to the committee. Un Mr. Stainton’s. suggestion it was decided to. ask the Red Cross and St. John Ambulance, the Victoria League, Plunket Society and Salvation Army to nominate a representative each to the central committee, thus hoping I 1 1?

co-ordipatiom of the work, in its various branches, At this stage the chairman reported the receipt •of a telegram from ■ the Mayor of Hastings expressing appreciation' of- New /Plymouth’s offer of as'distance- and saying . tfie most -urgent need at present was financial help. • The chairman expressed the opinion that for the present the committee should rely on direct giving for the raising of funds and- that the question of organising entertainments should be deferred till its consideration became necessary. ■ The chairman and Messrs. List, Robertson and Burgess were appointed an executive to deal with urgent matters as they arose.