RECONSTRUCTING NAPIER

Evening Star, Issue 21077, 14 April 1932, Page 8

RECONSTRUCTING NAPIER

INTERESTING FIGURES DETAILS OF BUILDING WORK [Peh United Press Association.] NAPIER, April 14. Returns prepared by the Napier Municipal Reconstruction Department show that building work valued at £348,375 has been carried out since the earthquake. Permanent work on business and public buildings has accounted for the greater part of this total, and the erection of many fine blocks on the devastated area has been responsible for bringing about a transformation from the scene of desolation that existed a year ago. An analysis of the figures shows that the amount of £208,880 was spent on new permanent buildings, £75,634 on alterations to business blocks, and £27,420 was spent on the erection of new houses and alterations to dwellings. Temporary buildings erected before the permanent reconstruction beban in earnest accounted for £35,441. The grand total of £348,375, shown by permits, is supplemented by £125,478 provided from the subscribed relief funds for repairs to houses for which no permits were necessary. A further sum of £9,362 was spent immediately after the earthquake by the Public Works Department in repairing chimneys. In addition the department has carried out the reinstatement of the chief post office, costing £30,000, for which no permit was necessary. The actual value of the work carried out, therefore, is £513,215. A reliable authority has estimated that the coming month will see the commencement of further work valued at £IOO,OOO, including the new Masonic Hotel, costing £40,000, and the new Plaza Theatre, costing approximately £20,000. In spite of these figures Napier has a pressing unemployed problem, and there is no room for outside artisans.