EARTHQUAKE AREA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 131, 16 March 1931, Page 5

EARTHQUAKE AREA

REHABILITATION PROBLEM.

PARLIAMENTARY VISIT.

NEEDI FOR QUICK RELIEF. (Per Press Association). HASTINGS, March: 15. A Parliamentary party organised by Mr W, E. Barnard, M.P., visited the earthquake area, 35 members of the Legislature, including the Hon. J. B. Donald (Postmaster-General), and Mr H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labour! \ Party), arriving "at Napier by special train on Saturday night. Sunday morning was to a survey of the devastated city and the surrounding district. Members of the inspecting party agreed that the most graphic description of the scenes of desolation could not convey an adequate conception of the extent and nature of the damage. They were full of admiration for the manner in which the citi-i zens of Napier had handled the situation, and the-wonderful progress made in clearing debris from the streets and building sites. The visitors inspected the harbour and the hospital, and on a motor toun saw the damaged roads and bridges and the ruins of several homesteads, which furnished further evidence of the ,appaling violence of the visitation. The Mayor, Mr Vigor Brown," and several other speakers stressed the;' urgency of the situation, and. the im- ' pojtance of giving immediate effect to measures for financial and other relief.

Mr Holland said that prior to the visit ho had no. conception of the magnitude of the disaster. The Labour Party was prepared to have the Ad-dress-in-Reply debate suspended at any l stage selected by the Government, -ifl order that legislation affectirig . -the Hawke's Bay area be taken kp at once. The whole city should' be claared.of debris as soon as possible, and 'finance should be provided' to enable "the work of reconstruction to go ahead right away. A city like Napier should not be allowed to remain as it was' when the M-esources of the country were what they were at present and where there was no division in Parliament regarding the desire to assist the stricken area. Mr P. A. Wright, M.P., said all were members of the one family, and all should help the one who was stricken. Napier should be reinstated, and the members of the House would support the Government' in any mea-. r sure in reason!, within the resources of the country, to achieve that object. Mr G. C. Munns, M.P.,, said the Government had shown that it was_ in earnest, by already doing something tangible for the area which had suffered. The House had to act carjsfhlly, but to provide £10,000,000 ''at a moment's notice, as had been suggested, would be absolutely wrong. Mr Munns paid a tribute to the magnificent work which the citizens 1 had done in rehabilitating Napier. The Hon. J. A. Hanan r M.L.C.. said Parliament would do the right thing, and the community, as a whole, would act generously toward the stricken area. ' . - • ... -

Further speeches indicated that the visit of the (Parliamentarians. . was greatly appreciated!, Mr Barnard stating that the tone of the speeches would greatly cheer the inhabitants, who believed that Parliament was anxious to do its utmost to. restore Napier, and regarded the problem as a national one. . T ;[. ■.".,;.

RESUMING NORMAL. - - ' SHOPS READY AT NAPIER. (Per Press Association). NAPIER., March 14.; * That conditions; are becoming more normal in Napier is proved*by the fact that on Monday sixty-four shops will be almost ready for occupation by tradespeople. These shops have been erected in Cliye Square and Memorial Square. Fittings are being-put- in by the tennts but the Government has advanced the money for the buildings, and rent will repay the loan. The shops were balloted for. : v .. The "Daily Telegraph" which published a small daily paper from .February 4, and later enlarged it to a four ordinary size pages, and later.£o eight pages, appeared to-day as a, twelvepage paper. In a few days all the old features will be available, including illustrations.

Residents who have returned to resume the broken threads of business are amazed at the amomvt which organisation ' has All the Post Office Departments are under one roof and letters and telegrams are being delivered. Every incoming train brings further Napier' people and the population is growing rapidly. Plenty of work is available and many outsiders are being engaged. Business is reported to bo good? Workers, especially strangers, are spending freely. Owing to the closing of certain bridges, the only road open to Napier from" the south is the main road. Lack of river crossings compels Pakowhai orchardists to load export fruit at Clivo instead of at Hastings but it is understood that it is to be stopped by the controlling authorities. - • % i"> ; According to the latest surveys, water at the inner harbour entrance has receded seven feet, while at the breakwater the . loss in depth is five feet. >