CLEARING NAPIER DEBRIS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 21 February 1931, Page 5

CLEARING NAPIER DEBRIS

NEW SHOPS SPRINGING UP RELIEF COMMITTEE DISBANDED LOAN FOR. TEMPORARY SHOPS (By Telegrapn — Press Association.j NAPIER, Feb. 20. Tile weather remains fine and the sea calm, the wind being light westerly. Three fairly violent shocks, were feltin Napier between 4 a.m. -and 5 a.m. to-day, followed by several minor tremoi-s.

Wonderful work is being done in clearing th© debris, and some streets nqw possess usable footpaths. Shops are springing up all over the city centre, and an effort is to be made to control the erection of temporary premises. - It has (been decided to pay skilled workers award: rates and unskilled labour 14s per day. There has been much agitation over a proposal to compel Mi to pay 4s per day for food, but it is understood that the scheme is not to be proceeded, until. Jit was announced late to-day that tlie relief ooimnittee is. to bo disbanded and tlie local authorities are- to ifunction as far as possible. This is the' outcome of. the visit of Hon. R. Masters, who was sent to report on the position to Cabinet. There have been, no noticeable shocks since 5 a.m. Some women are now returning, but it is not desirable that families should return just yet—not until sanitary arrangements are more complete. Water is now_ fairly generally available and electric light is being installed in houses were the wiring is intact. Much progress is being made, and it is expected l that husbands and fathers will soon be requesting tbe return of absent members of their families, ibut there should be no undue haste. The Press Association will announce tlie decision co recall absentees as soon as the officials decide in that direction.

It is stated that upwards of 200 undesirable visitors are being escorted from the town to-morrow.

An assurance that control of the earthquake area, at least as far as the Government's interests were concerned, would be reviewed, was given by Hon. R. Masters when discussing plans with the Napier City Council this morning. “It is fluite obvious to me that the Government is going to be involved regarding loans and other matters, and the system of control has got to be reviewed,” said the Minister. “It is my intention to go into the matter with, the Prime Minister as far as the Government’s interest in control and its relations with local 'bodies are concerned.”

Tlie erection of temporary shops in Clive and Memorial Square, Napier, is to be financed by a Government loan of £IO,OOO. The scheme is to be controlled, 'by the borough council and the rentals will form a sinking fund for reDnyment Qf the capital. ■ Mr Masters told the council the Government was willing to bear any loss above the rents.

SPECIAL LOAN PROPOSED. VTB\yS OF HASTINGS BOROUGH HASTINGS, Feb. 20. Speaking at a council meeting last evening the Mayor, Mr G. F. Roach, suggested that the Government should realise the necessity of raising a loan to rehabilitate the earthquake area. Unless money could be got soon, he said, nothing could be done in the way of reconstruction. “We are entitled to it,” he said. “There’s no doubt about that.” Many were ready to rebuild so soon as money was available. Councillor Slater: Cheap money would be far better than a 50 per cent, grant of the amount of the earthquake damage. 1 The meeting passed a resolution urging the Government to realise the importance of floating the necessary loan. Though his remarks had' no connection with the council’s discussion, Archbishop Averill, in an interview, urged the same step by the Government. “I consider it the Government’s duty to declare what sort of building is going to be allowed here.” He added that the Government should ask for a loan from Britain where interest in and sympathy with the Dominion were great. He believed that the loan would be subscribed several times over. Unless a lean were raisd to enable people to return and build they might never return at all.

“Tire ‘Auckland Weekly News’ on February 18,” says a letter written by Mr Edmund Ansoomibe, architect, to the “Hawke’s Bay Tribune,’’ “features the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ new building in Hastings', 11411011 came through the earthquake intact, and informs the building public of the Dominion that the building, although built of brick construction, is of a type which appears to have withstood the shake better than in the majority of cases.- We ask why there should be such a misrepresentation of facts and an endeavour to boost brick. We wish to correct this erroneous statement and say that the structural work is entirely reinforced concrete, in which is emboded special designed features (not used in standard work) now protected by letters patent. Bricks are used for certain walls only and simply cannot move, being held in place by structural framing of superior material.”