SITUATION IN NAPIER

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 3263, 5 February 1931, Page 4

SITUATION IN NAPIER

SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Wellington, this day. Further advice from the Press Association agent at Napier states that desolation and despair have followed the disaster. After the first appalling earthquake at 10.45 a.m., fire started in half a dozen places. This morning fire has totally destroyed what little remained of the buildings and consumed all the stocks, thus creating a shortage of supplies; Fortunately there are plenty of sheep, cattle, potatoes and fruit available within a few miles. Water is in heavy demand, but artesian wells are supplying the needs. The chief concern is sanitation and medical supplies, including disinfectants, stimulants, cigarettes and tobacco. The fire which raged all through the afternoon was mastered late at night, several fire engines using salt water wells. The fire started again ‘hear Emerson Street,, but a-neax--by well gave further water, and there is no further fire risk at present. The area destroyed extends from Milton Road Parade along Tennyson Street to the old Post Office on Hast-

ings Street to Herschell Sti’eet, thence along to the Masonic Hotel, down the Parade for half a mile, stopping near the Albion Hotel, thence back through Hastings St., and down the northern side of Dickens Street to Dalton Street, thence to Emerson Street down to Clive Square. The only building standing in that area is the new E. and D. buildings and Dalgety’s. This morning’s outbreak threatened the area from Dalton Street via Dickens St. to Clive Street and back up Emerson Street to Dalton Street.

Apai't from half a dozen pi'ivate residences on Hill Napiei*, the fire failed to reach the residential area, where all chimneys are down. Houses were shifted off their blocks or out of aignment. Both newspaper offices, the post office and three theatres (including the municipal) have gone, also the Masonic, Criterion and Provincial Hotels.

At the port several large stores are down and fire destroyed many others including the post office. Clearing stations and camps have been established on the McLean and Nelson Parks, Napier Park, racecourse, and town beach. People also camped all night on the hill roads, fearing a tidal wave. The town is quiet, but the people are stunned by the immensity of the damage. It is difficult to check the fatalities, but there is nothing further since the previous message as to the identity of the victims. Medical men are now chiefly concerned with the possibility of disease commencing.

Fissures in the roads were two feet wide. No power is likely to be available for some days. A Government supply of 1210 ground-sheets and 12,000 blankets have arrived, but with the people herded so closely together trouble must be anticipated unless sanitary measures ar rigorously enforced. It is expected that all supplies will be requisitioned, including bread being brought in from south. All the roads north are blocked, but the south road is open. Owing to the stupendous task facing the police, doctors, nurses and volunteers it is impossible to reach an accurate conclusion, but to sum up the position it can be said that the business area of the town is in absolute ruins.

Considering the severity of the shock it is a relief to find that the death rate was not ten fold.