RESTORATION OF NAPIER.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18830, 19 March 1931, Page 12

RESTORATION OF NAPIER.

STATEMENT BY COMMISSION. By Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER, March 18. Steady progress is being made by the Napier Town Commissioners in coping with the work of restoration. Having taken over the reins of control from the various organisations, they have continued the activities which were promoted before, their arrival. They have also instituted a number of new movements. Gratification is expressed by Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., at the condition of Dickens Street. Pew shops in that thoroughfare, particularly in the southern side, were seriously damaged. He remarked that he had been led to believe that the great majority had been completely ruined, but he had learned from his own observations that while a number had been destroyed, some were fit to use again. . Good results are being obtained in response to the appeals for school children to return to Napier. Yesterday there were 347 children at the Te Awa school and a further 144 at the Central, the total representing an increase of 70 per cent, on Monday’s figures. There were also 45 pupils at the Girls’ High School, and 70 at the boys’ school. The buildings are now taxed to their limit.

Mr Barton added that he is treating the matter of finding further accommodation urgently. The manner in which the retailers were opening up in the block of community shops could be sqen by people for themselves, added Mr Barton. He had definitely decided to erect five more shops in the space which the contractors had said was available in Memorial Square. The clearance of rubblo from the streets was being pushed ahead, and arrangements were being made for a “clean up’’ day, when an extensive effort would be made to complete the work with borough labour. The restoration of the water and drainage services was well in hand, and were being controlled by the Wellington City Engineer, Mr G. Hart, who is recognised as one of the Dominion’s leading authorities on this class of work. An attempt is also being made to cope with all possible sources or danger in the event of rain. Mr Barton added that it was doubtful whether the trams would ever run again. He was not considering the question, as a loss of £IOO weekly was shown pre-quake. CITIZENS RETURNING By Telegraph—Pros. Association NAPIER, March 18. A steady increase in returning residents brings the number to over 6000 during the past week. Six hundred and sixty people registered, against 200 during the previous week. Of last week’s total, 572 are former residents and 88 non-residents. School attendances are also increasing rapidly. Unemployed men are now officially stated to total 125. The citizens camped in the Nelson Park total 505, compared with 719 a week ago. Some tent dwellers arrived by train to live in the Park for a few days, pending putting their homes in order, some of which are far from habitable. Provision has been completed for 50 patients in the new temporary hospital on the old site on Hospital Hill. Nurses’ accommodation is provided at the McHardy Maternity Home. ANOTHER BODY RECOVERED. By Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER, March 18. The remains of a victim were found in Hastings Street. It is expected that further discoveries in the same locality will be made.