THE NEW NAPIER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 285, 30 October 1933, Page 6

THE NEW NAPIER

PLANS FOR EXPANSION. OUTLINED TO M.P.’S. Per Press Association. NAPIER, Oct. 30. A party of Parliamentarians visited Napier during the week-end and inspected many works in hand, also the proposed development of the district. They were much impressed not only with the restoration of the city, but also with the prospects for future expansion, and made numerous expressions of encouragement. , Those who paid the visit were Messrs D. S. Reid, H. Holland, AV. A. Bodkin, D. McDougall, A. Harris, A. S. Richards and H. G. R. Mason. During the morning the3’ were conducted on a tour of the village settlement, the 490 acre block being used in the “greater Napier” scheme, the 7500 acre small farm scheme, aerodrome, harbour 3vorks and river diversion. Matters were fully discussed at a meeting held in the afternoon at which the visitors were addressed by local body representatives. It was pointed out to them that the Government had invested £1,000,000 in Napier since the earthquake and its future prospects were bound up with the expansion through development schemes, the protection by river diversion and the increased trade through the improvement of the harbour facilities. The members expressed themselves as quite satisfied with the requirements and extended congratulations to the district on the effort to effect a complete recoveiy from the earthquake. The matter of rehabilitation was also brought before the notice of the visitors and it was pointed out that in a recently issued Government book on the disaster it was stated that £1,000,000 had been granted to the district for reconstruction. This was quite wrong, as the money was by way of a loan. The total grant of mone3’ was not more than £20,000. Jt was also pointed out that the public fully appreciated the generosity of New Zealand in subscribing £200,000 for relief. The matter was brought forward to correct a misapprehension through the Dominion. The visitors promised s3’mpathetic consideration of the proposals as they come before the House.