EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1931, Page 8

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND

ELTHAM MONEY DISBURSED £490 FOR THREE TOWNS A decision with regard to the distribution of £490 ss, the remainder of the sum subscribed by Elthau. and district residents for the relief of sufferers in the Hawke’s Bay earthquake was reached by the Eltham relief committee on Wednesday when it was decided to vote £lOO to Wairoa, £l5O to Hastings, and the balance, approximately £250, to Napier. The money in all cases to be sent to the distributing- committees of the local bodies. Two letters were read, one from the Hastings Borough Council and one from the Napier Borough Council, offering suggestions as to the distribution of the money and giving particulars of the funds now being operated in those towns. . , The chairman said that on a recent visit to the district he had learned that residents were not receiving money as "ifts from the Government, and work on “houses, such as building chimneys and laying drains, was being done out of loans, interest on which they had to pay. Another condition was that people requiring a..loan had to secure the signature of a guarantor who was held responsible for the repayment of the amount. Inhabitants of the affected area were not receiving relief as was intended by the donors—that of straight-out assistance to those in distress, of whom there were still a great number. He did not like the spirit o the scheme fixed by the Government, and felt that it would kill the giving in any other such cases. . He considered that the Napier and Hastings bodies had shown a fine spirit in mentioning Wairoa, as although it had apparently suffered considerable damage it had been overlooked ty other local bodies when they had allocated their subscriptions. He was of opinion that the committee would be following the right lines if the sum was voted to local bodies for distribution. Reverting to the Government’s scheme Mr. Bridger said that it provided for permanent pensions for dependants of victims of the earthquake. He strongly disapproved of this —donations had been made for the purpose of immediate relief — an d he considered any grants in that direction should have come out of the national funds. Mr. Ricketts said that his original suggestion had been that the money be devoted entirely to the rebuilding of water and drainage systems in each town. Such a course would help the inhabitants materially as it would save them the expense of a second loan, and would keep men employed. Mr. Wilkinson expressed a preference for the suggestion that, the money be devoted to personal relief anl not to actual rebuilding work. GENERAL ITEMS. In connection with the proposal to entertain the N.D.A. conference delegates a't lunch as they passed through Eltham to Dawson Falls, the meeting to arrange the details made no suggestion of limiting the entertainment to any particular hotels. This was a matter which would be decided by the number of visitors to be catered for. Arrangements have been made at Mangamingi to hald the golf club’s first annual ball on July 3. The committee consists of Mesdames Addenbrooke, Turner, Ballinger, Hard wick-Smith, and Miss G. Woodley. The men’s committee will comprise Messrs Addenbrooke, Wilson, Gil Brown, W. Boddie, G. Price, E. Woodley, P. R. Brown, HardwickeSmith, Hickey, H. Sinclair, L. Barnard and H. F. Turner. RATAPIKO, NEWS. A sports club euehre party and. dance took place in the hall on Friday night. There was a large attendance and the club secured a good profit. The fine large fire-place which has been built in the the card room is fully appreciated by the card players and gives the hall a much cosier appearance than was the case last winter. Ratapiko is also to be congratulated on forming an orchestra and the music supplied on Friday night was of a high order. Miss Jean Dravitzki is pianist, Mr. George Simpson violinist, Mr. B. Dust cornetist and Mr. i Arthur Grigg drummer. Extras were Splayed by Mr. A. Ganna way and Mr. IF. Hill. Mr. V. Dravitzki senr. supplied ;an extra on the accordion. The card I prizes were won by Mrs. George Simpson (Ist), Mrs. Grigg (2nd), Mrs. F. Stajchurski (consolation), Mr. Sandy Mc- • Roberts (Ist), Mr. Mick Kuklinski ■ (2nd) and Mr. H. Telfer (consolation), i The sports club has decided to hold a ' queen carnival to clear the debt on the i hall. Three candidates have been chosen, ■Miss Jean Young, Miss Mavis Grigg and. (Miss Jean Dravitzki. Euchre parties are to be held fortnightly and the committees are entering into the contest with great enthusiasm. The marriage of Mr. Jim Moratti and. j Miss Ethel Blenner was celebrated in the iKaimata church last Wednesday. Mr. !and Mrs. Moratti have taken up their .'residence in Ratapiko and on Saturday ; night they were given a rousing welcome j by a large band of “tin-canners.” i Mr. and Mrs. J. Wells and Masters Bill i and Keith Wells returned on Sunday I from a motor' trip to Auckland. ‘ Miss Doris Tilley, Wanganui, is spendi ing a holiday with her sister and i brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Barney Dust.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Feilding, are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Dalton. Mr. and Mrs. Vineent Dravitzki senr. have returned from a visit to Auckland. Miss Nellie Gannaway is staying with relatives in Hawera. Miss Mary Dravitzki and Mr. Vincent Dravitzki junr. have returned from a motor-trip to Wellington. Miss Edith Smith has been staying with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lepper, Mana Road.