Offers of quake help pour in

BY SAM MCKNIGHT

Southerners are responding to a call for help from their Canterbury mates as the cleanup begins after Saturday's massive earthquake.

Civic leaders have pledged $10,000 to the relief effort, with more likely once the full toll of the damage is known.

Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt said he, Southland Mayor Frana Cardno and Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks had joined together to offer $10,000 for Christchurch earthquake relief.

Where that money would be spent had not yet been determined, with the councils waiting to hear what the best course of action would be, he said.

The money would come from the councils' joint flood relief fund, he said.

The shock of the earthquake had sent ripples throughout the country and he believed the help needed by Cantabrians would be ongoing.

He was in no doubt more contributions would be made, he said.

Mrs Cardno said New Zealand was one big family and when one region was in trouble everyone pitched in to help where they could.

The money was made up from funds contributed from other parts of the country when Southland was battling the 1984 floods and the $10,000 was in part a favour returned, she said.

Mr Hicks said he and his council were more than happy to dip into the fund to help out.

His council had also offered specialist staff to be sent to the disaster zone, but that had not yet been taken up, he said.

After the first contribution there would be a considered approach to any follow-up assistance.

"It's easy to rush in but sometimes it's best to hold back to see what help is required," he said.

Environment Southland chairman Stuart Collie said his council had volunteered the region's Civil Defence manager, Neil Cruickshank, who was now in Christchurch.

The council would meet tomorrow to discuss any further plans of assistance should it be required.

Invercargill City Council communications officer Diane Morris said it had offered Civil Defence its water manager and drainage manager.

The ICC had also offered to do any paper work that might be required. All four leaders were shocked by the level of damage but were equally delighted with the swift response of the Civil Defence and emergency services staff.

Those services have been bolstered by an Invercargill fire crew, which travelled to the disaster zone on Sunday.

Southland Fire Service area manager Brendan Nally said a crew of four and a fire engine travelled to Christchurch to relieve local crews of the normal firefighting duties.

More were on standby to head north if required.

Red Cross Invercargill area manager Sally Wast said they had received offers from business and individuals wanting to donate items including clothing and linen.

The most effective way to help was by donating cash which could be directed to what was needed on the ground, she said.

Her organisation had accepted an offer from supermarket company Foodstuffs to put donation boxes in all New World, Pak 'N Save and Four Square shops.

They would be in place today, she said.

The Red Cross had sent more than 2000 each of blankets and tarpaulins to Canterbury in the past few days, she said.

Some Southland contractors had offered assistance in the Christchurch rebuild, and were waiting to see whether they were needed.

- © Fairfax NZ News