NAPIER’S STATUS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 79, 14 March 1936, Page 3

NAPIER’S STATUS

Desire to be Made a City MAYOR’S APPLICATION The Mayor of Napier, Mr C. 0. Morse, Is to interview members of Cabinet during his visit to Wellington in a fortnight’s time, with the object of securing city status for Napier. Mr Morse’s arguments in favour of this request will not be based on the figures of Napier's population as shown in this month’s census but he will urge the granting of this privilege as a recognition of the way in which the people of Napier have worked to recoup the earthquake losses, and the way in which they have faced the numerous problem; arising out of that disaster.

Napier ie also the seat of the Bishop of Waiapu, and this fact, it is considered, should have considerable weight in favour of the request. Power in this line rests with the Government, and the Governor-General has power to grant the status of a city, from time to time, to boroughs that do not have the required population of 20,000 people. It is possible that the forthcoming census will disclose that Napier does possess that qualification, but it will remain until the census statistics are disclosed to see that. Mr Morse’s representations, however, are to be carried out independently of census probabilities. The Mayor feels that the time is now ripe for approaching the Government in this matter. Similar efforts were made on the occasion of the visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester to Napier while the jubilee celebration? of the town were in progress. When advice was received that the Duke of Gloucester was to visit Napier, Mr Morse made representations to the Governor-General seeking to have Napier created a city under the hand of the Royal visitor, although at that time the borough did not qualify for city status.

It was suggested that in view of the splendid way in which the people of Najrier generally measured up to the overwhelming difficulties facing them and also on account of the terrible ordeal through which they had passed, it would be a fitting gesture for action to be taken in the direction indicated. However, after passing through various Government channels, the request was finally rejected. Mr Morse is to visit the capital at the time that Mr. W. E. Barnard is to be installed as Speaker of the House of Representatives, and will make his application to the proper authorities at that time.