POST-EARTHQUAKE SURVEY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 36, 26 January 1932, Page 8

POST-EARTHQUAKE SURVEY

A TREMENDOUS TASK. WHAT INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED. “Post-earthquake surveying in Hawke’s Bay” formed the subject of an enlightening address to Napier Rotarians yesterday by Mr F. R. Bumley, who is the chief Government surveyor for the Hawke’s Bay district. In the course of his remarks he pointed out the vast amount of work entailed in compiling new records in place of those which had been destroyed in the Lands and Survey office on February 3 last. The restoration of some 50 volumes of title plans was a tremendous task, said Mr Burnley, but thanks to the valuable assistance rendered from various sources the work was progressing most favourably. Many plans had been restored from true copy plans obtained from the Public Works Department at Wellington. Although these referred mainly to strips of land taken for roads, yet in many instances they were comprehensive enough to be of valuable use in compiling fresh records. More information had been obtained from the Valuation Department, which also held copies of plans of many Hawke’s Bay sections, while private survey firms had lent the department tracings made by them on various occasions during the past few years. In addition to these sources, local bodies, legal firms and private settlers had very obligingly offered plans and documents which had proved of valuable assistance. The Survey Department was at present carrying out revisions of surveys of Napier sections as well as those of the various roads and streets. This would, it was hoped, save a tremendous amount of exhaustive investigation. The mapping of new surveys and the preparation of new maps, was, however, keeping a largo staff extremely busy, and it would be some time yet before tho task was completed. Regarding tho movement of the earth during the upheaval, Mr Burnley stated that investigations of the various primary “triangles” of tho Hawke’s Bay district after the earthquake had revealed that many of the fnmGiiarks had been moved several feet. It had been found, for example, that Bluff Hill had moved approximately three feet eastwards At the conclusion of his address the speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr J, A. Louis