PROSPERITY RETURNING

Northern Advocate, 3 November 1931, Page 6

PROSPERITY RETURNING

IN EARTHQUAKE REGION. WHANGAREI MAN’S VIEWS. A remarkable recovery in the face of great odds has been noticed in the stricken area by Mr L. W. Nelson, who returned to Whangarei on Saturday after judging at the annual show of the Hawke’s Bay A. and P. Society. Mr Nelson took the opportunity of making a trip round the district. He says that the reconstruction of Hastings has developed more rapidly than in other affected towns. No two-storey ■, buildings are being 1 erected, and the main street is like a succession of stalls. Architectural provision for any further visitation is being .made. Epr in- ' stance, Williams and Kettle are building at Napier a wool-shed covering an acre and a half, with -steel girders underneath a concrete foundation. To one who was used to seeing the inner harbour dotted with launches tugging at their inoorings, Mr Nelson says it seems strange to see vegetation . springing up on dry land, which has risen over seven feet from its original level and replaced the water.

Visitors to the show at the Tamoha grounds, the most beautiful in New Zealand, were amazed at the rehabilitation which has already taken place. There were record entries and a record attendance —both surpassing the figures for the Royal Show, which was held at Hastings last year. Everyone seemed happy, and this in face not only of the seismic disaster, but also of the worst drought experienced for 30 years. A dry summer was followed by a phrehed autumn, and the first consequential rain did not fall until two months ago, . Today the whole country is looking a picture.