DEVASTATED NAPIER.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18256, 18 February 1931, Page 8

DEVASTATED NAPIER.

WORKMEN NOT WANTED. RE-BUILD!NG RUMOURS DENIED. ROADS IN BAD ORDER. The Rotorua-Napier route between Tarawera and Te Pohue is in a terrible condition. It Is foolhardy for one alone to tackle it, and furthermore it Is unsafe for passengers In its present state, according to Mr J. E. Chitty, architect, of Hamilton, who had the unenviable experience of driving over that stretch of highway on his return from Napier recently. Mr Chitty set out for Napier and Hastings on Wednesday fully provided with ten's and provisions for ten days. On arriving at Napier he camped at Nelson Park. Referring to the devastation that had followed the earthquake Mr Chitty stated: “Many people imagine that the press have exaggerated. In this case the damage is not fully described. One cannot believe without seeing, and upon seeing cannot pass it on.” “One great thing necessary at present is for workmen to keep away. The time is not opportune to rush in and expect employment. “Owners of property,”, he said, "know not where they stand. Try to change a cheque. There is no bank (until to-day) and casli is extremely scarce.” Rumours Characterised as Rubbish. Mr Chitty characterised the rumours of rebuilding having commenced as rubbish. The amalgamated banks certainly had, and a few firms had erected temporary premises in wood and iron. A permit was necessary even to enter one's home for inspection. Wonderful work was done by the Naval men, followed by the Public Works Department, the Post and Telegraph Department and the Citizens’ committee. “Napier to-day has its streets cleared sufficiently to permit one to pass along but its population is scattered in all directions, many, in my, opinion, remaining unfound. The same may be said of Hastings, which I consider more destroyed, in proportion, than Napier. Building Construction. “Letters have appeared condemning brick buildings. They certainly have failed, hut not . all. Construction in some cases has been poor—poor in that- cheap mortar lias been used and the lowest tenderer gels the job, the employer jiay.ng dearly in the long run. Supervision is most necessary and in many cases there has been none. "At Nelson Park everything is provided. The organisation, sanitation, and food provided was wonderful, hut yet some are complaining. I query if they ever had better food in their own homes —certainly not as much. "The Y.M.C.A. has again proved its readiness to help, but above all the Salvation Army is outstanding. Under the guidance of "good old Sam,” as he is commonly called, the wireless, concerts and community singing have cheered one and all. Sam has been through the great war. He has a smile for all and an answer quick and ready for those who need putting in their place.” DAMAGE AT BLUFF. FURTHER LAND LOSS LIKELY. PROSPECT FOR THE FUTURE. ORIGIN OF EARTHQUAKE. Awe-inspiring, with the whole place a shambles, was how Mr W. H. Hill, of Hamilton, described Napier as it was immediately after the earthquake, to a representative of the Waikato Times. Mr Hill, whose father, Mr Henry Hill, F.G.S., was a resident of Napier, left Hamilton for Napier immediately upon receipt of the news of the disaster, arriving there at noon on the next day. Apart from the ruined town, what struck Mr Hill most was the fact that (he reef below Ihe Bluff, where he had fished 35 years ago, and which had subsequently sunk, had been raised to exactly iis former level. In Ihe inner harbour the bed had risen some 14 feet and was now practically shallow. This would benefit the Harbour Board to the extent that it would bring this area into the proposed rec'amation scheme without the necessity of labour. It would, however, spoil all prospects of fishing there.

Most of ihe Bluff Hill must still go, continued Mr Hill, tak'ng with it about five acres of home sections. The land involved was of friable limestone with two so’id limestone rock cliffs at its seaward extremities. At Ihe rear was a slight valley. The friable limestone intervening was criss-crossed with fissures and even if il did not fall from ordinary circumstances it would most certainly do so when rain entered and expanded them, wi ll an ultimate slope from valley to sea.

As well as that all the country between Napier across the Whnrernngi road and the route io Taupo via Rissinglor. and Te Politic must eventually fall towards the coast, added Mr lilt. The area thereabouts was all broken. Accumulation of Centuries.

As an explanation of the causes of the earthquake, Mr Hill said that originally Die Ray of Plenty was dry land, with a river llowiug in a northwesterly to south-easterly direction to Wellington. The portion of the Bay now formed subsided, leaving a comparatively shallow inlet bounded to seaward by a steep drop of about 2 miles along the old coastline. Into the bay flowed numerous small rivers which were originally tributaries of the major one that had disappeared. The outflow from these rivers converged at a point in the bay and during the course of centuries had formed a large foreign mass there through the siit and gravel brought down by them. Just previous to (he earthquake being felt at Napier an extraordinary wave, accompanied by d'sloeation of the water above this mass, swept the entire circuit of the bay. This, according to Messrs Hill, was caused through a submarine disturbance. which, in conjunction wilii the wave, shook the foreign accumulation. Following this came another earthThe action of this was fell in Napier.' at Ihe same time causing Ibo accumulated mass of centuries to fail (Continued in next column.)