VISIT TO NAPIER

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 137, 6 March 1931, Page 10

VISIT TO NAPIER

Mr. Troup’s Impressions SCENE OF DESOLATION “The saddest spectacle I have ever seen was when I looked down from the hill on the devastated business ■ area of Napier yesterday,” said the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. G. A. Troup, who returned from a visit to Hawke’s Bay yesterday. “I will not attempt to describe if. As I gazed on the scene I thought of the-Napier I knew as a joyous busy hive of life and activity, with its beautiful setting, its glorious Parade, its attractive shops, and fine homes, and mentally contrasted it with the scene ol desolation that lay before me. “I went not with a sense of curiosity, but to investigate matters concerning its reconstruction and rehabilitation, and I saw much and learnt more from others as to what had been done and what was proposed to be done in the future. “In the town of Napier on February 21 there were 2300 residents left in the place,” said Mr. .Troup. At the present time there were 5700, of whom 570 are non-residents, leaving 5130 residents out of a population (on April 1, 1930) of 16,160. Every day many are returning. “When I was in Napier the sum of £lO,OOO was made available from the unemployment fund by the Minister of Labour, and the next morning gangs started to open up the road from the Parade round to the port, and others were employed on other necessary works. I should think that in a week’s time there will be some sort of road opened up. “There are three butchers’ shops, three bakers, six grocers, two chemists, and drapery, fruit, mercery, hairdressing shops, all doing business on a cash basis, as wages are now forthcoming, said Mr. Troup. . “Meals are still being supplied in the camps for the workers, for which they are asked to pay 9d. per meal. The charge is the same for the women. Water and Drainage. “Most of the houses have now got water laid on, and the service is being gradually extended. It is expected that within a few weeks every house will have a water supply. As to sewage and drainage, the condition of things is not so bad as originally reported. The services in many of the streets were found to be intact, and sections of other streets where there was damage are being brought into operation every week. At present from 20 to 25 per cent, of the houses are fitted with sewage facilities, but Napier residents in Wellington should examine the list (published elsewhere) for details as to their own streets. “Electric light and power are now generally available. The gas supply is not yet in operation, but is expected to ,be restored in from one to two months. Few Chimneys Erected. “While very wonderful work has been done by the Government and local committees up, to date, there is one important work which does not appear to have been given the attention it warrants. That is the erection of chimneys. Up till now, I was informed, only 70 chimneys have been built—less than half the number erected in Hastings.” NO BUILDING SAFE Mr. Forsyth’s Observations EFFECTS OF EARTHQUAKE “I am satisfied after a good look round that there is no class of building that could withstand such an earthquake,” said Mr. T. Forsyth, chairman of the Education Board, on his return from Hawke’s Bay yesterday. “Precisely the only lessons in schoolbuilding to be gained by the Hawke’s Bay experience is to avoid height, and eliminate anything in the way of weighty ornamentation —indeed, superfluous weight of every kind from the top of a building. There is a bad example of this at Lansdowne (Masterton), where I am afraid some of the ornamental elaborations will have to come down.” i Referring to the vulnerability of wooden structures, Mr. Forsyth instanced an elaborate and well-built home at Taradale, in which no expense had been spared. This building had been so twisted about, that it was practically ruined. Mr. Forsyth said that the effect of the land lift was most apparent at Westshore, where the seaside places, including Mr. Vigor Brown’s new bathing sheds, had been left a quarter of a mile from the nearest water. The road to Westshore was opened to the public for the first time last Sunday, when many cars traversed the very rough road to see the manner in which the sea had retreated from the old foreshore. ACCESS TO AREA Police to Issue Permits The Minister of Transport, Hon. W. B. Taverner, announces that as from to-day arrangements have been made for the police headquarters at Waring-Taylor Street. Wellington, to take over from the" Transport Department the issue of permits to travellers into the Hastings and Napier area by road. A public announcement will be made as soon as it is considered that permits are no longer required. « RESTORING ROADS Earthquake Damage Reports presented to the Main Highways Board, nt its meeting in Wellington last week, show that south of Napier the expenditure in restoration of roads damaged by the earthquake will not be great, as very little damage was caused. The main damage is between Napier and Gisborne. In the meantime the roads between these two towns has been opened up for traffic, and as soon as an estimate of expenditure is available showing the whole cost involved to restore completely the road, the board will give consideration to the question of finance.