EARTHQUAKE LEGACY

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 275, 16 August 1932, Page 9

EARTHQUAKE LEGACY

Heavy Frosts at Napier EFFECT ON HORTICULTURE The earthquake of lost year in Ksnier has left the garden city of Hawke* Bay an unwelcome legacy In the form of frost which, according to Mr. F. Mansell, of the Dunedin Municipal Gardens staff, is likely to have a serious effect on gardening practice In the future. Probably few people would have thought that climatic changes of this kind would be a consequence of the upheaval, but Mr. Mansell, who came to Dunedin recently from Napier, where he was engaged In the Municipal Gardens, told a “Daily Times" reporter that Napier had quite as heavy frosts as were experienced in Dunedin. This was regarded as a result of the upheaval in the inner harbour, where 7000 acres of dry land had taken the place of sea water. The disappearance of that large sheet of water, he said, was quite sufficient to cause heavy frosts in the city which were seldom experienced before. Consequent on this change In conditions, said Mr. Mansell, there was, a great deal of tropical and sub-tropi-cal growth which used to do exceedingly well in Napier which Is bound to disappear entirely. The process had already started In some parts, notably on the Bluff HUI, and many people were going to find that gardening fashions must be radically changed. Mr. Mansell added that the majestic line of Norfolk pines along the Esplanade, which had always been regarded as one of Napier’s glories, had suffered severely as a result of the earthquake. There were many gaps in the line, ana there looked like being many more. In his opinion, wrenching of the roots was causing these beautiful tree* to die out. -