RESTORING WRECKED AREA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18799, 11 February 1931, Page 9

RESTORING WRECKED AREA.

CONFERENCE WITH PRIME MINISTER. LESSONS FOR FUTURE. By Telegraph—Press Association HASTINGS, February 10. A conference dealing with the problems now facing the business people of the town, as well as residents generally, was held at Hastings this afternoon. The Hon. G. W. Forbes, representing the Government, Sir A. T. Ngata, Native Minister, and the Right. Rev. A. T. Bennett. Bishop of Aotearoa, were among others present. The speakers asked for Government assistance in reconditioning the town, and referred to the payment of men engaged on such work. Mr Forbes, in reply, said the Central Relief Committee would meet in Wellington to-morrow, and would establish branches in the affected areas. The Committee’s policy in regard to distribution of funds would be similar to that adopted in respect to the West Coast earthquake. The first call on the funds would be personal requirements of the people in distress, then would come the necessity of restoring houses, and next the restoration of business activity. It was a big task to restore the commerce oi two towns so badly broken as Napier and Hastings, but the Government intended to do its utmost to assist. The question of local versus Government control would be fully investigated by Cabinet, and a decision given later. As for the question of employment of labour by outside contractors, they would be debarred from using outside labour except insofar as they might have to import specially skilled workers. Cabinet would meet to discuss the whole matter as early as possible, "as my colleagues and I are fully determined that everything will be done that can be done.” Sir Andrew Russell mentioned the problems of farmers affected by the ’quake, and said that though their position was not a matter of life and death, many of them suffered material damage, and required financial assistance.

Mr Forbes assured him that the claims of town and country would be considered on their merits. He also assured the meeting that the town would be protected from any incursion from outsiders seeking to establish businesses, and whatever goods had already been bought by the Relief Committee for immediate relief of distress would be paid fox out of the funds. He announced that the Insurance Office would pay under fire policies on buildings which had been destroyed by fire following the 'quake. “Earthquake was a risk which must be taken by no one in New Zealand, and we are going to lay down set building regulations to cover the whole of the Dominion.” It would be the Government’s duty to see that buildings were built to stand ’quake shocks. They could not take the risk of any more disasters such as they had just experienced. He added that he hoped other insurnace Institutions would follow the Government lead in waiving their rights under the fire policies on buildings destroyed by the ’quake and subsequent fire. It, however, was a matter for them to deal with. Mr Forbes also stated that special consideration would be given to sufferers in connection with the payment of income tax. MEETING OF HASTINGS RESIDENTS. NO PERMANENT BUILDING FOR A YEAR. By Telegraph—Press Association HASTINGS, February 10. Nearly one hundred Hastings retailers and town property owners met to-day to discuss questions regarding financial assistance and remodelling of business premises. Three representatives were appointed to meet the Citizens’ Committee on behalf of the retailers. Mr H. French, chairman of the meeting, on behalf of the reatilers, thanked relief workers and expressed confidence in the recovery of the dis* trict. The Mayor (Mr G. F. Roach) has announced that only iron buildings will be permitted to be built within the next twelve months, thope buildings, of course, being only temporary. The meeting expressed thanks ot the Government for the decision to pay out a portion of cover on properties destroyed by fire. Out of all the grimness of the earthquake tragedy have come many stories of humorous incidents. A few nights ago a picket, tired out after a long spell of late hours, fell asleep on duty. By way of a practical joke, other members of his* group stole his truncheon. Fearing that sleep might tret the better of him next night, he tied his truncheon to his wrist, but when he woke up he found a pole attached to his wrist by a piece of string. GOVERNOR’S VISIT. An event that helped greatly in lightening the spirits of the population of the wrecked towns has been the gracious, sympathetic and practical aid given by the GovernorGeneral and Lady Bledisloe. They came to Hawke’s Bay practically unheralded. and in the most unostentatious manner toured the stricken area. Their presence was a tonic to all who came In touch with them, and helped everybody to realise that their troubles were being borne by the whole Dominion.

His Excellency wrote specially asking that nothing whatever in the way of receiving him, other than most formally, be done, and when they departed this morning it was in the quietest possible manner. One could see that their Excelelncies were deeply affected by all they had seen, and they made a point of seeing all that there was to see.