BACK IN BUSINESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 72, 26 March 1931, Page 8

BACK IN BUSINESS.

WO HUNDRED NAPIER FIRMS

RAIN DISCOVERS LEAKS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

NAPIER, this day

According to a directory issued to-day *200 linns from the devastated area in Xapier have re-established themselves in business. In many cases the premises occupied are mere shelters, tucked away in all sorts of places. Steady rain fell throughout the night. It will do much good to the country, but many leaks have developed in battered dwellings. The present prospects suggest a continuance of rain.

RUINED BUILDINGS

POWER TO DEMOLISH THEM

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

NAPIER, Wednesday

The question of ruined buildings which are a danger to adjoining buildings was mentioned to-day by Mr. ,J. S. Barton, chairman of the Napier Commission. Mr. Barton said that in a case where a building was in sucli a condition that it was dangerous to passersby the authorities had power to demolish it, and they also had the right to recover from the owner the cost of the work. However, the*committee had no similar power where an adjoining building was threatened.

As about a dozen such cases had been reported, said Mr. Barton, power to act would be sought by the Commission in forthcoming legislation. The Commission was even thinking of doing pressing work now and trusting to Parliament to ratify its actions afterwards.