A TRADE BOOM

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1931, Page 6

A TRADE BOOM

REBUILDING OF NAPIER. FORTY-EIGHT NEW STRUCTURED Building operations in Napier have reached a “boom” stage. Never before have the municipal authorities been called upon to issue so many permits; never before have so many builders, plumbers, drainlayers, and bricklayers found such an abundance of work; and possibly no centre in the Dominion has ever seen so many buildings spring up in the short space oi two months.

An illustration of the amount of work that lias been undertaken since the earthquake is seen in a study oi tlu records of the municipal reconstruction department. Since February 14th, no fewer than 106 building permits, the value of which exceeds £40,000, have been issued. Only four ol those 106 permits exceed £IOOO in value, and over 40 of them are below £2OO. Ol the permits issued. 48 have been for new buildings, while the remainder have been for alterations, additions, or extensive repairs. The total number does not include such work as placing build, ings hack on their foundation blocks and minor repairs.

Keen Competition. Competition among building contractors is exceedingly keen. The list oi builders operating in Napier before the earthquake -many were, finding it difficult to secure sufficient work to keep them going- has been- swelled by the arrival of . representatives oi- a number of contractors from other centres. accompaniel in sonic cases• by p(.'imaueutly engaged workmen. ! In* ie.-. suits have been beneficial, lor, .while sufficient work is being found to keep all contractors busy-and it must he remembered that the city has not y* t started on the enormous programme ol permanent rebuilling that is to come—the increased competition has ensured speedy completion of contracts and thorough workmanship. Almost without exception, flic temporary premises in which business and prolessional firms have re-ostahlishel themselves are sufficiently substantial to he of service for many years.

A period of even greater activity than lias- been experienced during the past few weeks is expected within the coming month, for householders by the hundred are taking advantage of the availability of loans up to LIOO, tree of interest Irom the relief Binds, lot the reconditioning of their homes. In the si xdays that have* (‘lapsed since the announcement by the Chief Commissioner' Mr J. S. Barton, that such advances would he available, over 1000 owners have secured forms on which to make applications.