Earthquake Relief Committee
Of the Government of Newfoundland
Hon. President: Hon. Sir R.A. Squires, K.C.M.G.,
M.H.A., Prime Minister
Hon. Chairman: H.B.C. Lake, Esq., M.H.A., Minister of Marine and Fisheries
Hon. Corresponding Secretary: Hon. H.M. Mosdell, M.B., M.H.A., Chairman Nfld. Board of Health
Hon. Members: Hon. A. Barnes, Paed. D., B.Sc.,
Colonial Secretary
Hon. Alex Campbell, M.D., F.R.C.S. (E), M.H.A.
Malcolm Hollett, Esq.,, B.A. (Oxon), S.M.
Sudbury Building
St. John’s, Newfoundland
Burin North
August 15, 1930
R.F. Horwood, Esq.
Chairman, S.C.D.F. Committee
St. John’s
Dear Mr. Horwood:
On my last trip up the coast I have come across one or two other claims which I would like to have put in the same class as those others concerning which I have written you and where a cash payment seems to be the correct method.
(1) David Collins of Lamaline Meadow. This man is 83 and crippled and naturally unable to build again his stage which he lost and which he assures me has turned him in $20.00 per year for the last few years. The Stage was 18 x 14 x 8, and he hired it out for several years. He also lost $30.00 worth of clothing and considerable fencing. So far he has taken nothing and I should like to recommend a cash payment of $150.00 in full settlement of his claim which I know would perfectly satisfy the old man.
(2) Edwin King, of Lamaline East, was assessed $170.00 and I understand has so far taken material to amount of $22.50. This man has been sick for five years and has not earned anything, and I know he can never again earn or even get out around, much less build. We should make a satisfied claimant by a cash payment of $150.00 to him also, and I should like to recommend it as a fair and just settlement in this case.
(3) Claim #44. David Strang, Lawn, was assessed $742.00 and I find this claim not only includes David Strang’s loss but also that of his adopted son, Peter Quirk. Quirk has taken his share of the assessment, leaving some $300.00 worth still due the claimant David Strang, who has been bedridden these seven years, and who owned the dwelling house, stage and one of the stores. He assures me and I quite believe him, that he can do nothing with material and I would recommend a cash payment of $200.00 be made to settle his claim.
(4) I have already mentioned the case of Mrs. Thos. G. Hillier [author’s note: this is Lydia Hillier] of Point aux Gauls [sic] whose husband was drowned. In this connection I would say that her stepson, Harold William, who gave in the losses of fishing gear and premises etc has been fixed up O.K, but so far no arrangement has been made in a compensation to Mrs. Hillier.
Mrs. Hillier was left with a step-daughter aged 20, a daughter aged 11, and two sons, one 2 years of age and the other an infant born shortly after the husband’s death [author’s note: this baby was born partially blind]. I am not in a position to know the personal circumstances of Mrs. Hillier but suspect they are not very good as I know Mr. Hillier carried no insurance on account of some heart trouble. There is too I think some little friction between the son Harold William and his step-mother. I would suggest therefore that an arrangement be made whereby the property and fishing gear be left with Harold William and his sister Georgina, and Mrs. Thos. Hillier be made a separate allowance for herself and her children.
As Thomas Hillier was the only bread-winner who lost his life in the Tidal Wave, and as he has left rather a helpless family I beg to suggest that the sum of $3000.00 be set aside in Trust for Mrs. Hillier and her children and that she be paid $25.00 per month out of this sum until the whole be expended. I feel sure this arrangement will meet the needs of the case fairly well, having regard to it’s [sic] nature, and the aim of the Funds.
I should be glad to have settlements of these and the other cases which I wrote you about previously, fixed at your earliest convenience either along the lines I have suggested or otherwise as the Committee deem fit.