MEETING LOSSES CAUSED BY FIRE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 43, 20 February 1931, Page 5

MEETING LOSSES CAUSED BY FIRE.

ex-gratia payments ' and LOAN IN LONDON. (Special to the “ Star.”) NAPIER, February 19. Undivided support was given by a meeting of Napier fire insurance policyholders this morning to a scheme , oub lined in the New Zealand “ Financial Times,” under which companies would allow ex gratia 20 per cent of loss, the remaining SO per cent to be met by a cheap loan on the London market, the interest and sinking fund for which would be paid by a load of an additional 12§ per cent on all fire insurance premiums throughout the Dominion. The contention that it was unfair to expect other districts to contribute to the re-establishment of Napier and Hastings was answered by the argument that, unless both towns were fully rehabilitated and business restored, the rest of the Dominion would have to meet all taxes and other State expenses without help from this district. It was asserted that complete restoration was warranted, as business was certain to be restored because the productive capacity of the province was in no way affected. “If a terrible blight had swept the province it would have been a different matter, but the country districts are just as rich as ever,” said one speaker. “ Those districts must have an outlet for their produce, and naturally will use the nearest. Our port is still working, and business is therefore bound to return to Napier and Hastings.” A condition of the scheme to which support was given was that all claims met be put into. re-establishment and that no actual cash be paid. CHILDREN HAVE SCHOOL AT PALMERSTON NORTH. / Per Press Association. PALMERSTON N., February 19. A school for earthquake refugee children at the Showgrounds camp was opened to-day, being conducted in the Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s cattle pavilion. Already 268 children have enrolled. Permitting the maximum of fresh air and light, the classrooms are admirably suited to the purpose; and they have been thoroughly swept and disinfected. A free issue of books was made to the children today. The. school is xinder the supervision of Mr E. Barry, headmaster of the Central School, while Mr M’Glashan, of Napier, is senior master on the staff, all of whom are from Hawke’s Bay schools. SPECIAL FUND OPENED TO ASSIST THE NURSES. A special meeting of the Canterbury branch of the Trained Nurses’ Association was held last evening to consider what means should be taken to help the nurses who suffered in the recent earthquake. It was decided to open a subscription list, and that the association head it with a donation of £lO. On the hat being passed round at the meeting, a further amount of £9 14s 6d was collected. Any nurse wishing to subscribe to the fund should send donations to Miss M. E. Jones, St Helen’s Hospital, or to the Plunket rooms, Chester Street. COMMUNICATION TO THE NORTH BEING RESTORED. NAPIER, February 19. Communication northwards from Napier is gradually being restored. It is now possible for cars to cross the WestsHore embankment, where surprisingly good work has been done in a remarkably short time by large gangs under the Public Works Department. Ramps' have been built at each end of the bridge, the decking of which was ten feet above the shattered and sunken roadway after the big quake.

NUMBER OF TEMPORARY PREMISES INCREASING. (Special to the “ Star.”) NAPIER, February 19. Orders for the erection of temporary premises in galvanised iron are increasing daily. It has been decided to issue no permits for permanent buildings in the devastated area in order that town planners may have an opportunity of continuing and widening streets where necessary, overcoming many obvious faults in the old layout of Napier. The four sides of Memorial Square, next to Clive Square, are to be used by retailers for the establishment of temporary premises, the ground being given rent and rate free by the council. It has been decided to leave Clive Square untouched, as the erection of buildings there would involve the destruction or at least damaging of many beautiful trees. i SOUNDINGS SHOW SLIGHT UPLIFT CLOSE INSHORE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, February 19. The Marine Department has received a report from the Government lighthouse steamer Mataj, which is taking soundings off Hawke’s Bay. The Matai reported that she had completed the work of taking soundings in the vicinity of the Napier harbour approaches and had discovered.a slight uplift close inshore. It was not known definitely what courses the Matai followed, and a fuller report is expected to-mor-row.