ChCh Quake Again 2 (Completed)

[Lucy2]

Glad to learn that you are safe and well, Newbe.   

Best wishes

  ~   Lu

[Janette]

Are your family safe and well,Lu,
Janette

[Janette]

It is good to see there is still a sense of humout in Christchurch

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0c3g/

Cheers Janette

[MalNZ]

Hi All,

some amazing satellite pictures.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/infographics/christchurch-quake/beforeafter.htm

The fourth picture of the set shows Colombo Street (vertical) and Tuam Street (L-R) junction.  I believe the buses in the rubble (centre)  are yet to be uncovered and the dead removed.  

A friend of ours was in a shop only metres away in Tuam Street.  The whole wall and entrance collapsed into the street and when the shaking stopped she stumbled out over the pile of bricks into the street - totally distraught yet unharmed. Her purse with a considerable amount of cash and jewelry was left behind. Her husband wheedled (probably the wrong word as he is over six foot) with someone  soon after the quake and, quite illegally as it was after the emergency was declared, managed to get the purse and save their bank balance!

Our "refugees" have had interesting encounters with the police and others when claiming their property in damaged but not red-carded buildings.  At the cordon to the CBD some road guards are very compassionate and allow entry with proper identification, others don't. You just drive from one checkpoint to the next until a compassionate one is found. Once inside the boundary other questions may follow from itinerant police etc..  However, on Sunday, no entry could be gained and they had to walk some distance to their apartments and then carry or drag their belongings along the broken paths.  They had to hand over their driver's licenses to the police so all could be checked both in and out of the restricted zone.  But when walking back with their bags some official asked why they had not driven to their apartments!  But Wednesday was the horror.  They were given ten minutes warning that the squad that checked for bodies in all buildings was arriving and if the door keys were not available the door would be smashed in exposing personal property to any thieving rat who are still around.  One apartment was jemmied open even after a neighbour stated that  no body was in the apartment - its owner was away working as a helper at one of the rescue stations.  Apparently complaints were made and now a locksmith accompanies the "dead bodies squad".

Another friend spent the first four days as a volunteer helper in a rescue station in a suburb well outside the damaged areas and which still has water, sewer and power.  She was appalled at the number of local "bludgers"  getting free meals.  



Cheers

MalNZ

[Wiggy]

Another friend spent the first four days as a volunteer helper in a rescue station in a suburb well outside the damaged areas and which still has water, sewer and power.  She was appalled at the number of local "bludgers"  getting free meals. 

Makes you see red doesn't it??        

Your stories bring all the activity some reality Mal.      Thanks for showing, by words, what the news doesn't!

[Suzy W]

May be a drivers licence or a power bill to prove where you come from for a good meal and shower.

After September 4th we noticed the free loaders at these welfare sites, some where know criminals, while partner and children at welfare, he is out stealing.   Name and shame the sods.

Suzy W

[Janette]

I have heard that some of our Rootchat members are working hard with the Rangiora Express preparing food for those worse off,although they have suffered huge losses themselves.
I would just like to say well done and thank you

[kiwihalfpint]

I would just like to say well done and thank you

I second that .....

[Kiwi Girl]

Thirded