NAPIER’S REVIVAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 October 1933, Page 5

NAPIER’S REVIVAL

PARLIAMENTARIANS’ VISIT.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

NAPIER, October 30.

A party of Parliamentarians visited Napier during the week-end, and inspected many of the works in hand and the proposed development of the district. They were much impressed not only with the restoration of the city, but also with the prospects of future expansion, and they made numerous of encouragement. Those who paid a visit were Messrs Reid, Holland, Bodkin, McDougall, Harris, Richards and Mason.

During the morning, they were conducted on a tour of the village settlement, a 490 acres block, being used in the Greater Napier scheme, 7500acres small far mscheme, aerodrome, harbour works, and river diversion. Matters were fully discussed at a meeting held in the afternoon, at which the visitors were addressed by’ local body representatives, who pointed out to the visitors that the Government had invested £1,000,000 in Napier since the earthquake. Future prospects were bound up with an expansion and thorough development of the schemes, protection by river diversion and increased trade through improvement of harbour facilities. Members expressed themselves quite satisfied with requirements and extended congratulations to the district on the, efforts to effect a complete recovery from the earthquake. The matter of rehabilitation was also brought, before the notice of the visitors. It was pointed out that in the recently-issued Government book on the disaster, it was stated that a million pounds was granted to the district for reconstruction. This was quite wrong, as the money was by way of loan. The total of grant money was not more than £20,000. It was also pointed out that the public fully appreciated the generosity in New Zealand subscribing £30,000 for relief. The matter was brought forward to correct a misapprehension throughout the Dominion. The visitors promised sympathetic consideration of the proposals as they come before the House.