NAPIER HARBOUR

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 147, 18 March 1931, Page 11

NAPIER HARBOUR

Cost of Restoration TIME TO FORGET PAST — § Mr. lull’s Optimism ACRES OF NEW LAND Dominion Special Service. Hastings, March 17. An estimated expenditure of £45,000 is necessary to make the Napier harbour function reasonably, while £240,000 will be necessary to restore the harbour to a somewhat similar state as before the earthquake. This information was before the Napier Harbour Board yesterday from the board’s consulting engineers, Messrs. R. W. Holmes and Son, who stated that the estimates were only approximate as there was neither time nor has the data available been sufficient to enable more accurate estimates to be given., “I ask the people to forget the past because conditions have entirely changed, and what we now want is that they bend themselves to using their activities not in controversy but with a view to promoting the prosperity of the district,” said Mr. A. E. Jull, M.P., chairman of the board, when discussing the future activities of the board.

“We are not seeking at the monwin to embark on any major programme,” said the chairman. “What we are seeking is tbe restoration of our facilities and we are not making the earthquake as a kicking-off place for any major loan.” • , , ~ Mr. Jull mentioned that the board s endowments had increased greatly m value through the earthquake having raiscd many acres of laud. He looked to these as a set-off against any cost which the earthquake had caused to the board. “I am very optimistic at the prospect and I feel that there is no cause to be cast flown,” he said. "We have not lost’ our beautiful climate, our ferule soil and the virility of the people, but what we do want is financial assistance to enable us to function as we did before February 3. It has been the habit of this district to refer to tbe Inner and Outer Harbour. I don’t use those words now: 1 say Glasgow Wharf, West Quay or Nelson Quay.” .„ “Might I ask if you have reconsidered your harbour policy?- You have not committed yourself, I notice.” said Mr. P. F. Higgins. Mr. Jull: I think we had better leave the question of general policy until we get over the. question of general restoration. " No doubt then the good sense of the community will allow us to deal best with what we have got. NAPIER PROPOSAL Town-planning Scheme NEARER THE SEA A scheme tbe provisions of which in brief are that the business area of Napier be moved a distance of about 60 feet nearer the sea is at present under consideration by the Commission, the-Lands and Survey Department, and the TownPlanning Board, says the “Hawke’s Bay Tribune.” The proposal is that the existing sites should be moved closer to the sea. retaining as far as circumstances allow their same relative position to one another. Additional and wider streets will possibly be necessary, and as was pointed out by Mr. J. S. Barton, a member of the Commission, it might be possible to acquire for the Borough Council additional areas, the revenue of which will assist to recoup that body’s depleted finances. The committee, consisting of State and borough officials and citizens’ representatives, has had a preliminary discussion of the. proposal, and has roughly set out its ideas on a lithograph. INSURANCE LEVY Government Proposal DUNEDIN CRITICISM By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, March 16. A meeting of the council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce to-night discussed the proposal of the Government to levy a tax of 1/6 per cent, on insurance companies in order to raise £1,500,000 in connection with earthquake disaster relief. It was agreed 'to write to the Associated Chambers pointing out that the proposed tax was inequitable, as it would hit only one section —namely, that section that insured—and that the matter being one of national importance, a more equitable method of raising the necessary amount should be adopted. FAITH IN FUTURE Re-establishing Factories Judging by letters received by the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association from several members in Napier and Hawke’s Bay, whose subscriptions for 1931 had been remitted, many of the business people are making courageous efforts to re-establish themselves. A furniture manufacturing firm wrote: “Our premises, stock, plant and books were all destroyed, but all members of the staff escaped without serious injury. We have cleared the section of debris, and have started to build temporary premises on the same site, and will be going fully equipped with the necessary machinery in a few weeks’ time.’’ A wire-working firm has reported the damage done, and has nearly reached the stage of “business as usual.” Mr. T. M. Geddis, of the “Daily Telegraph," Napier, wrote: “The spirit of the people here is really wonderful, and we have not the slightest doubt that given reasonable financial assistance, there will be built on the ruins of what was once one of the most beautiful towns in New Zealand, a city that will be not only more beautiful, but will be safe from similar visitations in future.” FREEZING INDUSTRY Move at Hawke’s Bay Dominion Special Service. Hastings, March 17. Some developments in the freezing industry in Hawke’s Bay may possibly be the outcome of an extraordinary general meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Meat Co., Ltd., which has been called for this week to consider a suggested amalgamation with Nelson’s, Ltd., Tomoana. The object is to form a new company for the policy at present in vogue at Whakatu. „