The Earthquake.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18256, 18 February 1931, Page 7

The Earthquake.

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL. SYMPATHY AND ADMIRATION. LETTER TO MAYOR OF HASTINGS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) HASTINGS, Wednesday. The Mayor of Hastings has received the following letter from the Governor-General: — “ i am very grateful and much touched by your letter of February 12, conveying to me the hind appreciation of the members of your Borough Council and the executive of the Citizens’ Earthquake Committee for what little my wife and I have been able to do to show our sympathy with you and your fellow townspeople in the disaster which has so suddenly and acutely befallen your town and district. We both sincerely wish that we could have done somethlg of more practical value t'o help you in your hour of trial, bereavement, and material loss. In any case,. as you will realise, our hearts are with you during this crisis in the history of your progressive, enlightened, and once attractive borough, and if there is anything that we can do further, consistently with the post that we occupy, to help you we shall expect you quite candidly to let us know. .We ha\e carried away with us from Hastings, as well as from Napier, the most respectful admiration for the brave spirit with which the local inhabitants are facing their calamities, and the selfless, public-spirited activities of all those who are participating so nobly in the work of relief and the various \ improvised administrative functions. To you personally we offer our heartfelt sympathy' in the disastrous loss of your business premises, and so many faithful colleagues and employees, and we pray God that you may be vouchsafed strength to carry you through unimpaired in health to brighter and happier times. Black though the clouds appear I am confident that Hastings is destined to rise from its present half-ruined condition to a state of greater prosperity, attractiveness and fame in the days to come. — (Signed) Bledisloe.” NO MORE REFUGEES WANTED. WELLINGTON HAS SUFFICIENT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. ' , The necessity for the return of all able-bodied men to the earthquake area was stressed by several speakers at to-day’s meeting of the Wellington Relief Fund Committee, and there was also a general discussion on the difficulties of billeting. It was generally agreed that Wellington had received all the refugees it could accommodate, and it was decided, if possible, to divert future refugees to other cities. v SEVERAL MINOR TREMORS. : FELT AT HASTINGS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) HASTINGS, Wednesday. Hastings felt two or three minor tremors during the last 24 hours, including a swift, sudden bump at 12.55 this afternoon. OPENING OF ASSOCIATED BANKS. RUSH. OF BUSINESS AT HASTINGS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) HASTINGS, Tuesday. The opening of the associated banks to-day has had the effect of restoring more of the usual business atmosphere in Hastings. There was a rush of business throughout the day, the number of inward credits being particularly large. INNER HARBOUR GONE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER, Wednesday. From Westshore to Bay View, a distance of about six miles, nature is seen' in her most capricious mood. The inner harbour, which once extended for miles into the hills, has gone, acres and acres of a species of large mussel being the only reminder that the great flat expanse was once several feet under water. With its disappearance has gone the sport of yachting which Napier once enjoyed. y V CLEARING OF THE AREA. REQUEST TO GOVERNMENT. (Bv Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER, Tuesday. At a meeting of property owners and ratepayers convened this afternoon by the relief committee, it was resolved unanimously to recommend the Government that the clearing of the area be undertaken by the Public Works Department, and that the respective owners be charged with their proportion of the cost, the question of payment to he taken up inter. INFLUX OF UNEMPLOYED. STOPPING THE STREAM. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) 1 NAPIER, Wednesday. I’lie weather in Napier continues flue and sunny with an absence of tremors in Ihe early hours of this morning. The work of demolition is proceeding. Mr Morse, chairman of the Cilzens’ Committee, has issued a statement dcchiring Hint owing to the influx of unemployed into Napier. Die com- ‘ snifter lias found it necessary to reentry into the borough to those on authorised business, or who are j n possession of permits to return issued by the refugee or relief committees.