REFUGEES REACH HAWERA

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1931, Page 10

REFUGEES REACH HAWERA

33 ARRIVALS YESTERDAY.

UNCERTAINTY AS TO. POSITION.

'After numerous and contradictory messages from Palmerston North advice was finally received, at Hawera yesterday that some refugees from the camps at the Manawatu showgrounds would be sent on to South Taranaki. Thirty-three arrived in the afternoon. _ The general relief committee, which was appointed in Hawera on Thursday night, decided to make arrangements for billeting refugees only through the official channel and not through individuals. When the executive met yesterday the general committee’s decision not to bring refugees from Palmerston North to Hawera .but to wait in readiness until necessity arose was adhered to. The Mayor, Mr. E. A. Pacey, was deputed to get .in touch with Mr. A. J. Graham, .Mayor of Palmerston North, who is controlling the disposition of refugees, and to. inform him that Hawera can accommodate 300. At the executive meeting yesterday Mr. R. Syme detailed the steps taken by himself and Mr. Hooker at Palmerston North. They had arranged to bring 93 people to Hawera, but Mr. Graham not sanction this for fear of disturbing the organisation. The first car to arrive at Hawera was driven by Mr. Syme and brought Mr. and Mrs. Ashton and two Misses Ashton. Later Messrs. E. V. West and Walker, of the Manawatu Automobile Association relief organisation, which in conjunction with the Salvation Army has carried out the evacuation, brought a further nine. Refugees billeted in Hawera yesterday include: —• Mr. and Mrs. Ashton and two Misses Ashton. , Mrs. Florence Ansell and Miss Audrey Ansell, (schoolgirl, Kennedy Road, Napier. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Stowell and three children, 19 Cameron Road, Napier. . Mrs. W. G. Lovell and Miss Muriel Lovell, 62 Chaucer Road, Napier. The arrangements for the billeting were carried out by the following committee: —Miss Johnstone, Mesdames Allan and Carter, Rev. R. E. Evans, Ensign Prince and Mr. S. AV. Webber (secretary). The organisation worked smoothly, suitable arrangements being made in each case. One family has been accommodated in a sea-side cottage ,at Ohawe. On arrival at the Presbyterian hall the travellers were given tea by Mrs. J. Hicks and ladies of St.. Johns. So far offers of accommodation for 300 people have been made 'by Hawera residents. A summary is appended:— Willing to take woman with one or more children —35. 1 Willing to put at the disposal of refugees, furnished or unfurnished cottages—l2. .. Those offering (the use of furnished rooms with double beds—49.

Those willing to take single women—

Those willing to take schoolboys—6. .Those willing to take two women •friends—6.

Those willing to take married men—4. . ' • ; Those willing to take schoolgirls—22. A Hawera lady has offered to aidopt two orphan children. Mrs. Julian, Greenmeadows, Opunake, has offered four cottages for the use of refugees. Mr. A. G. Robertson, Okaiawa, will convey to Hawera free of charge parcels of goods for refugees, providing they are left at his garage. St. John’s Presbyterian Hall and. St. Joseph’s Catholic Hall have been offered for relief purposes. The general committee set up at the public meeting in Hawera on Thursday night to take charge of, Hawera earthquake relief arrangements is .composed as follows:—Chairman, Mr. E. A. Pacey (Mayor of Hawera); Mrs. S. R. Veiteh and Rev. J. Young (Red'Cross Society); Mrs. Allan aud Miss Johnstone (Women’s Division of Farmers’ Union); Mrs. Pacey and Miss-Henry ( Women’s , National Resei-ve); Mr. J. B. Murdoch (Hawera County Council); Mrs. ■ Winks; Messrs. S. C. Tonks, E. P. Cox, F./ Gillariders, G. F. Trotter, Nurse Young, Mr. E. K. Cameron (Farmers’ Union), Revs. E. S. Emmitt, R. E. Evans and J. Ewen, Ensign Prince and Father Cullen, Mr... H. G. f Dickie, M.P., Mesdames Exley and Hayward. (W.C.T.U.), Mrs, Page and. Miss McLean (Women’s Club). Mr. A. K. Fyson is (secretary. An executive was appointed as . follows:—Rey. E. S. Emmitt, Mr. Cpx, Mrs. Pacey and. Sister Young, with the Mayor and. the secretary ex-officio. Convenors of committees are:—Mr. Cox (transport), Miss Johnstone (billeting), Miss McLean (provisions and clothing). The general committed accorded Mr. L. 0. Hooker a vote of appreciation for his activity on behalf of the refugees. MAYOR’S APPEAL FUND. Donations have commenced tf . come in and the response to the Mayor’s appeal is as follows: —•

The Waimate West County Council has opened subscription lists at the office (Manaia), Otakcho, Auroa, Kapuni, Inaha and Kaupokonui stores. A sale of pot plants and any further lots given by tlje public for .the relief fund, will fee held by Messrs. R. P.

Morrissey and Co. in their sale-rooms, Union Street, Hawera, to-day. Mr. S. Barker, Hawera, will leave Hawera this morning at about 9 o’clock and will take parcels to the earthquake area. Ho wi]l drive a Dodge car with Sparton Radio on the front and pick up parcels on route. Mr. Barker will take parcels left at his High Street shop.

£ s. dPreviously acknowledged >-.■ . 5 0 0 E. and F. C. Foden 0 0 H. Tosland 5 0 P. G. Bamford •: b 0 0 Olaf Wansfell •: o 0 0 Mr. and Mrs. H. Wells ..... 2 0 0 Mrs. R. L. Pease . b 5 0 James Everett , . 5 5 0 Mr. and Mrs. E. Dixon .... . 5 5 0 H. G. Dickie ./. — . 10 .10 0 Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Campbell . 10 0 0 Mrs. M. J. Campbell . 5 0 0 Miss I. Campbell . 1 0 0 Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Lcece . 10 10 0 Mrs. and Miss Ginger ; .... . 5 0 0 C. Fitzgerald 5 0 J. Bartlett . 1 0 0 A. Mitchell . 1 0 0 Mrs. A. T. Wills . 1 0 0 Mrs. Mortlock, sc nr 1 0 0 Rev. and Mrs. Emmitt .... 2 2 0 . »> 0 0 Miss M. S. Newland • o 0 0 Mrs. W. May 0 0 E. Cullinan • 2 0 F. H. Bernard 0 0 Mrs. Bernard . 5 0 0 M. K. Hall and Son ...... 0 0 Mrs. E. Cowper 5 0 0 A. Campbell a 0 D. C. Ryan . 1 1 0 "Sympathiser” • 1 1 0 ••Friend” ...... 5 0 Total 131 7 0