EARTHQUAKE NEWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18822, 10 March 1931, Page 11

EARTHQUAKE NEWS.

SPENDING RELIEF FUNDS. By Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER. March 9. At a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay County Council the chairman said that exaggerated reports had reached Napier as to the spending of the Relief Fund in Wellington. He thought the Public Trustee should show how relief money was being expended. Some had remained like heroes, while others left. It was necessary to evacuate women and children from Napier, but not so at Hastings. He thought they should now return and lend a hand. The balance of the Fund, after feeding necessitous cases, should be divided over the afflicted area. A motion was carried that a balance sheet should be produced. A country representative said that the time had arrived for the people to return rather than live in other parts. A well-known business man asserted to-day that Wellington went so far as to give daily cash donations to able-bodied men. whilst most of those who remained worked for nothing. BIG SHAKE AT NAPIER. FELT OVER WIDE AREA. By Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER, March 9. A heavy earthquake, probably the third most severe since February 3, was felt at 11.50 last night. Some damage was done to walls, which were toppled over. The weather is fine after a dull Sunday with morning showers. GISBORNE, March 9. A sharp earthquake was experienced at 11.50 p.m. yesterday. No damage is reported. WAIROA, March 9 Two severe earthquake shocks were experienced here yesterday—the one at 11.45 p.m. being the second heaviest since the big shake. Buildings swayed alarmingly. STRATFORD, March 9. A prolonged earthquake occurred here at 11.52 last night. The direction was north-east to south-west, with a long, easy swing. Mr A. W. Burrell, who has a recording apparatus, stated that the shake lasted live minutes, finishing j with an elliptical motion. No damage is reported. RECORDED AT RIVERVIEW. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, March 9. The seismograph at the Riverview Observatory recorded a New Zealand ’quake at 9.55 last night. The tremor was of only a minor character. GAS COOKERS WANTED. By Telegraph—Pruss Association NAPIER. March 9. To enable people to re-occupy their homes immediately an appeal is made by the Earthquake Relief Committee far people who own perfection cookers to place them on loan to Napier inhabitants. Owners are requested to communicate with the secretary of the Napier Gas Company, who will take the responsibility of safe keeping and return of the stoves. TOWN PLANNING. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, March 9. The Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle stated to-day that Mr Mawson, Director of Town Planning, is to leave to-morrow morning to make a preliminary inspection pf the stricken areas, and report to the Government. RIVER BOARD FINANCE. By Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER, March 9. A deputation from the Hawke’s Bay River Board left to-day for Wellington. to place before the Prime Minister a request that £3OOO should be placed to the Board’s credit to pay wages already due in connection with work of restoring the river banks. HIGH SCHOOL RE-OPENED. The Girls’ High School resumed today. In the early days after the ’quake, it w r as thought by the authorities to be impossible to resume secondary education in Napier for some time. However, so many parents expressed a desire to have their children with them, that it was decided at short notice to re-open and give opportunity to get children back to normal as soon as their homes were ready. In spite of the old school being ruined, and the new brick building damaged, there still remain ten or twelve detached rooms which withstood the shock, and these are being used.