HARBOUR ALTERED

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 31, 6 February 1931, Page 14

HARBOUR ALTERED

FINE WORK BY NAVY

Having brought his wife ana family to safety in Wellington,'a Napier garage owner called in on "The Post' and added a few graphic details to those already to hand. At the time of the shake, he said, he was in the garage. Cars and motor-lorries bumped around as if they wero billiard balls, and it was only by sheer good luck that he got outside without being crushed. "No words can ever describe the ruin of Napier's business quarter. What was left from the earthquake, fire eubsequently destroyed, and in the main business area only two buildings, Dalgety's and the Public Trust, remain whole. The inner harbour is a shallow lake, and the Veronica probably permanently aground, and in the outer harbour a reef of roekg has appeared alongside the breakwater.'' Tribute was paid to the grand work done by the sailors, the sight of armed marines patrolling the streets having a most reassuring effect on the populace. Several firms having motor-lorries, loaded them up with water-tanks., The lorries wero driven round the streets, distributing water, which, however, had to be carefully rationed. "The Post's "informant said that on his way to Wellington late yesterday afternoon he passed hundreds of cars going towards Napier. In many were children, and it seemed as if the occupants were bent on ft sight-seeing trip. This, ho was glad to loam,, had been stopped.