, 1916-12-16

VA "a POOA OORAO
The Policemasters have been appointed
chairmen of Committees to deal with these
matters, and the ~clergymen of the different
denominations have promised their yalua-
BILE assistance as members of the commit
tees.
The promised help from the State Trea-
sury will, however, be by far the greater
part, and be applied for rebuilding or re-
pairing buildings destroyed or damaged
by the hurricane.
Immediately after the hurricane a COM
mittee with the Policemasters as Chairmen
became active in estim lting the damages
done to the different properties. and l nm
now prepared to grant the necessary as
Sistance in the fist coming days The
assistance that will be gigel is similur to
what was allowed from the Colonial Trea.
sury, when the hurricane of 1899 passed
over this island, in so far as loans will be
\obtainable at a low interest IA per cent p.a)
Aud besides the Minister of Finances his
allowed me to give loans free of interest
and even gifts, these only to be granted,
however, where I find there is real need
I have resolved, that interest is to be rec'<-
oned only from l. January 1918, and that
no interest or instalment is to be paid be-
fore L July 1918, the loans then to be re-
paid in Is years
The hon. Council will see, that even in
the case of loans against interest the con
ditions are far more favourable than in
1893, and l hope besides to be able to pay
out the loans and the gifts at an earlier
date than it was possible in 1899, when the
first loan could only be paid out over z
months after the hurricane. In this last
respect, I shall add, that I consider, Gov.
ornment has acted with all possible speed,
in dealing with the difficult problem that
has arisen in consequence of the hurricane.
Apart from the impossibility fer the mocha
MICS here or in the other Danish Islands to
have lone more work, than has actually
been performed, it must be considered,
that matters have to be investigated care
fully in disposing of great amounts, and
that | would not be warranted in granting
loans loose and fast, without taking in GER
sideration the possibility for repayment
and some security for Investment. And it
must also be remembered, that the Difficult
ties always created by a hurricane are man-
fold increased in this case. when all the
Islands and my administration have suffer.
ed from the sane calamity and when my
presence is required everywhere to decide
questions involving great expenses for the
Colonial Treasures and the State Treasury.
/ reckon ia this matter of granting loans
and gifts towards rebuilding and repairing
buildings destroyed by the hurricane on
the advice of hon. Members of the Colonial
Council, who by their close connection With
local affairs and their consequently tho
rough knowledge of persons and conditions
will be able to give me valuable assistance in
these matters hope also that som of
the members of the committees, who have
been Investigating matters in this respect
will favour me further by their good ad-
vice in deciding on the applications for
assistance.
appreciate highly the good work, that
has been lone by the officials, the clergy
and private gentlemen in this calamity, and
should not fail either to place on record
my greet appreciation of the patience and
the good will towards each other, that has
been shown SO manifestedly by the inhab-
itants and most signally by the poor popu-
lation in this great crisis, perhaps the
greatest in the history of the Islands.
I shall now recommend the present Draft
of Ordinance, the reasons for which are
explained in the remarks accompanying it
for the adoption of the hon. Council.
End Member for Christiansted Town
(CdnegatG;. I feel confident, that I can
assure the hon. Government that any mea-
-..~ -L..L 1919 xL~o IL u11~.:ok1 Al