NAPIER ’QUAKE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 369, 10 March 1932, Page 11

NAPIER ’QUAKE.

Permanent Provision for Injured Persons. RELIEF COMMITTEE’S SCHEME. (Special to the “ Star.") WELLINGTON, March 10. The Central Relief Committee of the Hawke’s Bay Earthquake Fund, at this week’s meeting, adopted a scheme for permanent provision for injured persons and the dependents of those killed in the big earthquake. It had remaining resources totalling £77,947 and these are to be applied as follows: Amount set aside by the Central Committee for permanent relief of dependents. £46,117: commitments for repairs to houses, £20,000: outstanding claims against the fund, £11,830; total, £77,947. Thus, when all the commitments have been paid, the fund will be finally disbursed. Personal investigation had been made into all cases and it was found that the majority of those requiring provision are widows or children or other dependents, and it was felt that a weekly allowance would be the most suitable method of assistance. In the case of adults it had been decided to make a maximum payment weekly of 22s 6d to any one person, payment to cease, in the case of a spinster, upon marriage, and, in the case of a widow, upon remarriage. Children’s allowances have been authorised, not exceeding 15s a week for each child until he or she attains the age of sixteen years. Where the applicant for relief is possessed of assets, the weekly payment has, in general, been fixed at the above standard, less a yearly sum equal to interest at 5 per cent on the net capital value of certain of such assets. In some cases it w r as considered desirable to set aside certain sums for the maintenance and benefit of the persons concerned, any unexpended balance on the death of such person to revert to the relief fund.