THE EARTHQUAKE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18817, 4 March 1931, Page 10

THE EARTHQUAKE.

RIVER BOARD FINANCE. By Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER. March 3. A Mtch has occurred in financing the Board’s efforts for restoration of stop-banks damaged by the earthquake. The Hon. R. A. Masters, when in Napier recently, gave approval for the immediate payment of £2OOO, and the Board was under the impression that the Prime Minister had promised a Government grant of £IO.OOO for the work, which is considered of paramount importance. The position now is that the Prime Minister has advised the Board that the financing question is in abeyance, pending a report of a Treasury official who examined the Board’s affairs. Meantime £3OOO is required next Saturday to pay a fortnight’s wages to the men engaged. A meeting of local bodies is to be held to-morrow to discuss means of continuing necessary work for the safety of the district. HOSPITAL REPORT. By Telegraph—Press Association PALMERSTON N., March 3. William June, from the Parke Island Home, Napier, an earthquake patient, died in hospital this morning. New admissions are:— Miss O’Sullivan, Hastings. Peggy Be Geyt, from the Showgrounds. Cases discharged are:— Mrs Ruby McKenzie, Napier. Austin Mitchell, Havelock North. THE RELIEF FUND. By Telegraph—Press Association HAMILTON, March 3. The “Waikato Times” relief fund is now £6070. SMOULDERING FIRE. By Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER, March 3. Hot bricks removed from the Masonic hotel ruins set fire to two lorries yesterday, in spite of the fact that a month has elapsed since the fire. Compaint is being made against; the Government that the Public Works Department required £235 to clear a section 66 feet by 130 feet of quake debris from a two storey building. There were no serious shakes overnight. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. By Teleeraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, March 3. The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, announces the intention of the Government to introduce legislation to provide for extended overdraft limits for local authorities in the earthquake area. REHABILITATION OF TOWNS. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, March 3. A suggestion that the Government should carry out the rehabilitation of Napier, Hastings, and other towns in the ’quake area, under a co-operative system of labour, so doing away with the profits for the middlemen, was made to the Hon. R. Masters by a ) deputation representing the allied building trades. Mr Masters said the Government was considering the whole question of rehabilitation. The Premier had determined to be as generous as possible to the people affected, and the Government would shortly announce its intentions in connection with the raising of a loan. The deputation’s representations would be carefully considered when the final plan of action was being decided.