EARTHQUAKE REGION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20810, 28 February 1931, Page 13

EARTHQUAKE REGION.

WORK ON BUILDINGS.

SOME AREAS CLEARED.

DIFFICULTIES OF FINANCE.

SUFFICIENT LABOUR AVAILABLE.

r ß v TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NAPIER. Friday.

The work of demolishing ruined buildines in Napier is proceeding very satisfactorily, and there are now to be seen nu it 6 a number of extensive areas which are almo 5 t wholly cleared. Most noticeable of these is the market reserve upon which the Criterion Hotel and a block of shops once stood. . On account of the fact that a fairly large proportion of buildings on this block was bjiilt of wood, the task of clearing away the debris has not been as extensive as is tho case elsewhere. Gangs of men are now engaged on the Masonic Hotel block, but there is a vast amount of bricks, twisted iron and slabs of concrete to be handled, and therefore progress here is much slower Other smaller buildings aro also receiving attention. Perhaps the hill side of Tennyson Street is the scene of tho greatest activity. The Public Works Department is employing something like 200 men, who, with the assistance of a fleet of about 60 lorries ai)d several mechanical shovels and other appliances, are doing good work, but there are many instances where demolition work is being done by private contractors.

There are many buildings on which a atart has not been made. There is sufficient labour available for the work, but in many cases the difficulty is finance. If the work is to be done by the Public Works Department, it is necessary for the owner to deposit with the department a sum of money sufficient to cover the cost of the work. Once application is made and tile necessary formalities are completed, there is no delay. There are several instances of buildings in a precarious condition which are likely to fall when a shake of any severity is experienced, with consequent danger to users of the roads. There is therefore an urgent need that steps should be taken by the authorities to have these demolished, so that the roads may be made safe.

EXPENDITURE ON RELIEF.

FIRM CONTROL EXERCISED.

LOW COST OF RATIONING.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] PALMERSTON NORTH, Friday.

The Mayor stated to-day that the total expenditure on earthquake in this centre was in the vicinity of £4OOO or £SOOO.

The generosity of the people had allowed arrangements to be carried out at a minimum cost. It was anticipated that the cost of rations, including, cooking, would be under 6d a head daily. Enormous supplies bad been received free. The generosity of the public was simply amazing.,

A full statement of accounts was being rendered to the Government,. A very firm control on expenditure had been exercised and the situation reflected the greatest credit on all concerned.

NAPIER POST OFFICE.

EXTENT OF REPAIR WORK.

TREATMENT OF THE WALLS.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.'] HASTINGS, Friday.

The Napier post office, which was ! erected recently at a cost of about £55,000, and which suffered considerable damage as a result of the earthquake, is now stated not to be a total loss, although considerable expenditure will bo necessary to restore the damage. As the building stands to-day, there remains practically only the four outside walls, but even these will require a good deal of attention. The Oamaru stone, which forms the surface of the outside walla, will have to be removed, while the interior plaster will have to be chipped off and renewed. " When the fire went through the building most of the interior fittings were com • pletely destroyed. v

GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT.

" DAMAGING OPINION." RESENTMENT OF REMARKS. [by telegraph.—press association.] WELLINGTON. Friday. In a statement to-day, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, Minister of Public Works, deprecates/ the remarks attributed in the press to Mr. E. R. Wilson in the course of his presidential address to the Institute of Architects, which, he states, reflect upon the quality and the cost of the work performed by the Government architect. " It is a matter for regret," said Mr. Tavorner, " that the occupant of so responsible an office as the president of" tho Institute of Architects should have publicly expressed an opinion so damaging to the professional standing of J,he Government architect, and in terms so unspecific as to preclude any reply being made in defence, except in equally general terms. "If' Mr. Wilson has real grounds for holding the view attributed to him, ono would have expected he would state them specifically to the Government, in order .that the examples he must be presumed to have in mind might be inquired into." The Minister added that he had until tho present withheld comment in expectation that Mr. Wilson would adopt that course, or take such steps as were necessity to correct the injustice of his remarks imposed on the Government architect.

SUGGESTED INSPECTION.

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] NAPIER, Friday.

Commenting editorially on the coming Pailiaroentnry session, the Napier Daily Telegraph says: "It is hoped that before any discussions are entered upon the Go veinment,' will use a special train and bring the whole of the members of Parliament to view the devastated area. They will he all the better ahle to consider the condition of the towns and the predicament of the people."