IN EARTHQUAKE AREA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18818, 5 March 1931, Page 9

IN EARTHQUAKE AREA

EMPLOYMENT AT NAPIER AND HASTINGS. SPECIAL GRANTS AVAILABLE. 'By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, March 4. Definite arrangements for placing employment in the earthquake stricken area of Hawke’s Bay upon a business like basis have been made as a result of a special visit to the district by the Minister of Labour. Grants totalling £IO,OOO have been made available to the authorities at Hastings and Napier for employment purposes, with the result that the whole question of work will be placed on a revised footing. The Minister informed the “Dominion” that he made the trip, as it was realised that local bodies in the afflicted area were not in a position to take advantage of the second and fifth schemes of the Unemployment Board, because a large proportion of rates had not been paid. Mr Smith intimated that, with the approval of the Minister of Finance, the Unemployment Board had agreed to make £SOOO available in Napier to March 31st. It was unanimously the opinion of the Committee that restoration of public utilities was a most pressing need. About 400 men were registered as unemployed In Napier. A large number of residents had given their services voluntarily during the past few weeks. It was now desired to return to the wages system. Pay will be at the rate of 14/- a day, and work will be rationed. Five hundred and nine men had registered as being out of work at Hastings. Many were doing voluntary work, but it was the unanimous opinion of the business community that the men should now be paid. The most essential work was clearing up debris in the business area. A grant of £IOOO per week until March 31st was approved, under conditions similar to those laid down at Napier. NAPIER’S POPULATION. By Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER, March 4. Boasting a population of over 19,000 a few weeks ago, Napier now has 5700 citizens, according to registrations. On February 21st the total was 2300. The present total includes 570 non-residents, and about 400 from places on the outskirts. There are about eight women to every hundred men. The Freezing Works. The Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Meat Company hope to resume killing mutton and lamb at Whakatu at the end of this month, or early next month. Meantime the Company, besides Nelsons, Ltd. (Tomoana), and Borthwicks (Pakipaki), are arranging for killing elsewhere on clients’ account. Beef killing is impossible at present. REPAIRING THE DAMAGE. By Telegraph—PreßS Association NAPIER, March 4. The weather has taken a decidedly cold turn, which makes living • conditions without fires in or outdoors quite unpleasant. Yesterday’s rain fortunately stopped early, but the conditions ruling are not promising. Heavy rain will cause considerable discomfort, but 98 teams and scoops are working on the river banks, thrown down by the quake. All branches of the Post Office are being accommodated in the Hastings Street School, although temporary premises are being rushed up. Four hundred men are reported to be unemployed, employers in some cases dismissing outsiders in favour of Napier men. Consequently, strangers are illadvised to come in. The repairs to houses, sewers, etc., are proving a greater task than was anticipated. Many roofs are still showing gaping holes. RIVER BOARD’S WORK. By Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER, March 4. A conference of the River Board ,and other local bodies was held this

morning to consider the flood problem. Mr F. C. Hay, C.E., said a heavy rain would cause an abnormal flood. The work at present in progress was to send the water where the least damage would result. It was useless getting women and children back before the river problem was solved. It was stated that the work would cease to-morrow if the Premier cannot keep his promise to provide £IO,OOO. It was decided to ask the Government to confirm the Premier’s promise, otherwise the protective work would cease, endangering the whole district. SYMPATHY OF ENGLISH FARMERS. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON. March 4. The Farmers’ Club of England (of which the Governor-General was at one time chairman) has cabled to His Excellency a sum of ten guineas accompanied by the following message: ‘‘The Farmers’ Club Committee ask you to convey sincere sympathy to brother agriculturists who suffered through the earthquake, and send ten guineas for your disposal.”