’QUAKE DAMAGE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 521, 2 August 1932, Page 5

’QUAKE DAMAGE.

Voluntary Insurance Scheme. DISCUSSION IN NAPIER. (Special to the “ Star.”) NAPIER, August 2. A proposal, based on voluntary subscription, to ensure some measure of relief against the cost of repairing damage caused to dwellings by minor earthquake shocks, such as that of May 5, is being considered by the Napier Muncipal authorities. “ We have no power to authorise an insurance scheme with power to levy for premiums, but the possibilities of a voluntary s#ieme are being considered, and a good deal of encouragement has been received from quarters where the proposal has been discussed,” said the Chief Commissioner, Mr J. S. Barton. It was intended that owners of property who contributed to the fund should be allowed to draw on it up to a certain sum, in order to defray the cost of repairs, should they be necessary at any time. The provisions of an ordinary earthquake cover were useless in the event of a minor shock, as the insurance companies required policy-holders to meet the first £SO of the cost of any damage. It was explained by Mr Barton that if, at the end of two or three years, the fund created had not been called upon, it would be possible to suspend the collection from volunteer subscribers and to hold the sum accumulated for any emergency. One of the principal objects of the proposal was the avoidance of the possibility of having to appeal to the Dominion for help in meeting the effects of minor shocks.