NEW ZEALAND EARTHQUAKE CHRISTCHURCH ways to assist

[XXVV]

Hi Everyone

I am NZ/Australia based at this time and have often played at the excellent Christchurch Casino which has a great atmosphere and very supportive and friendly staff. I have played there whenever in NZ.

It has been suggested to me that I could inform you that there are various ways to help Christchurch and its very special people as they are in real difficulties.

As the scientists advise us in probablity terms, this was a 1:2500 year event. Yet two in 6 months, one triggering the other, as part after-shock and part new event activating a previously unknown fault very close to the CBD.

I have trouble with these probability and percentage ratios!

Please refer

:.christchurchearthquakeappeal.co.nz

:.redcross.org.nz

:.caritas.org.nz

I also donate to the Salvation Army. The 'Sallies' work in Australia and NZ is formidable. Their presence in Christchurch is very strong, and they like the St Johns people, work selflessly. It puts everything else in perspective.

Planning also to donate an appropriate % of my earnings direct.

Thanks everyone. XXVV.

[XXVV]

This is going to be a 10-15 year process to re-build the city and like the ex Mayor of San Francisco said today, it can and will be done and it will produce a safer and better environment step by step.

Total cost of the two earthquake events ( five months apart) may be $20Billion NZD.

The work of the Red Cross in re-distributing emergency funds to those afffected has been superb.

The following links should also be added...

:.salvationarmy.org.nz
:.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz

[XXVV]

Had a great 3 day campaign at Sky City Auckland NZ.

This is purely an idea, a suggestion in principle, but I donated 30% of my campaign earnings to the various organisations helping recovery from this shocking event. I think this is a wonderful way to play and will continue to do this in future ( the percentage may vary though!).

We live in world that can change very rapidly and it is wise to be prepared and to be flexible, just in case.

[XXVV]

British Entrepreneur has donated $4M NZD to help in the re-building of the Christchurch Cathedral which was devastated in the EQ.

What an enlightened and superb gesture from a man who had once travelled and brought his family to stay in the city and stayed in the hotel adjacent.

This Gothic Revival structure building mirrors much of the late Gothic Romantic  style buildings built when the city was first settled from mid 19th Century.

Most of the churches, chapels, early administration buildings of this enlightened period have been badly damaged or destroyed. Stone and brick even though partially strengthened subsequently, can not handle vertical force of +2g per sec and then a sudden drop.

Worst ever EQ vertical acceleration was 3g/sec.

The damaged buildings probably will not be able to be rebuilt.

There are 100,000 homes damaged and possibly 10,000 of those may have to be demolished.

The Christchurch International Airport was mainly undamaged and will always be a gateway to the beautiful South Island, despite the long term damage to the beautiful garden city of Christchurch.

You can access additional news via The NZ Herald website and TVNZ website and many blogs.

Thanks for all resources donated.

[XXVV]

I also understand the Prince of Wales Trust on Heritage Buildings has been in touch with the Christchurch people advising and offering support for restoration.

Good for them, and another demonstration of the close and ever closer links that the new world of improving communications can bring.

Also it is most appreciated that Prince William will represent the Royal Family at the Memorial Service in Christchurch in a week.

Thanks.

[XXVV]

This should come as no big shock for dealing with Economists but the current estimated cost of the Christchurch EQ is now a more realistic but nevertheless massive $40 Billion NZD, and that may yet rise to +$50B. Mayor Bob Parker was right when he always applies the 250% rule to first estimates.

Head of the NZ Stock Exchange the ebullient Mark Weldon is on a 4-6 week world tour to raise donations from world business that has NZ contact/links. I like the way he says the total is not important . The intent is the same from a $3 donation to a $3M donation. Thats the spirit.

Nevertheless ensure all donations go to genuine websites. Note the Metropolitan Police ( London) warning of sick scams featuring false links for the EQ fund. View their website on internet fraud which I was reviewing after the Charles scammer affair.

[XXVV]

Hope everyone enjoys the Twickenham Rugby match - most proceeds to Chch EQ Fund.

Foo Fighters did an Auckland Concert and flew themselves and their gear at their expense. Those guys raised $500K for the Fund. Now they are off to Oz to help the Flood Fund.

What fab guys!!!

Thats the Spirit!