SETTLING DOWN AGAIN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17028, 13 August 1929, Page 7

SETTLING DOWN AGAIN

IN THE 'QUAKE AREA TASK OP BBCOKSTEUCTION (Speci&l to the Herald.) OHBISTCHUKUH, this day. "Like living on top of a big jelly," is the manner in which life at Murchison is described by Mr. B. F. Spiers, a wejl-known citiaen of the town, and the num who organised the transportation of people from the town after the big "quake. The people, however, are settling down to the tasks of reconstruction, and their spirit is splendid. When Jlurchison quivers, the residents pause, wait to see if the quiver is the end or beginning of a shake, and go on with ' tJftwjir work.- / Gradually the town is becoming almost fully repopuiated, and the present indications are that nearly all the citizens will return. One business man has not yet returned, and has announced his intention of staying away from the town tor ever, although his wife is carrying on the business. This man, however, had a particularly bad time in the big shake. With temporary chimneys erected and dwelling houses restored to something like the state they were in before the terrible upheavid, residents are beginning to take up the thread of progress where it was broken, and Mr. Spiers is confident that the ultimate progress of the town will not have suffered by the earthquake. Business on the West Coast, of course, is very quiet at present, and the coast will lose a certain amount of tourist traffic, although this may he conpensated for by sightseers to the badly-affected areas, which can only be appreciated bv seeinsr them. The reconstruction of roads has been started, and men arc flocking into the district for Work. Unfortunately all types of men have been taken on for road construction, and some of them are simply leaning on their shovels." Tracks are being cut through the isolated hack districts and a number of farmers are anxious to get their stock out, although it is difficult to understand whv there should be any greater desire to "place stock on the market than in other years. The reason may he the - difficulty in transportation which is expected to affect the output of dairy faciorifiifii The entire cessation of business, added to the cost of repairing the damage. has meant a big loss to some of the business men, hot the Coast wil remember the 'quake longest by the state of the roads. It will be many years before they are completely reconstructed.