HOMES WRECKED

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 31, 6 February 1931, Page 16

HOMES WRECKED

FURNITURE SMASHED

PERILOUS DEMOLITION

From the outside most of the homos do not appear to have suffered damage other than of fallen chimneys and broken windows, but inside, except in Napier South, where the effects of the shake were lightly felt, almost every home is a ruin. Pianos, wardrobes, ranges, even tables, were thrown down, glass from:windows and pictures and crockery strewn the floors; piping was ripped' through the walls, and living conditions are impossible, even if nerves were not upset beyond endurance. Families camped in yards and gardens or motor sheds, some spent the day and night on their porches still unwilling to leave, but afraid to go inside. There is nothing for it but complete evacuation. Wednesday was a very quiet day as regards tremors, and people ibecame more assured, but a vicious jolt about midday yesterday brought back a state of high nervous tension. The midday shake started another big slide from the bluff, and a great cloud- of yellow dust rose. At the time a band of naval workers was searching the ruins of Dr. W. W. Moore's private hospital on the Parade, the most dangerous wreck in j Napier. Some brickwork fell, but no one was injured. This was the first time a.nyone had taken the risk of entering this building, and it was curious that the search, after so long, should coincide with the one bad aftershake. Most of the business area ruins can be demolished by rope1 hauling, 50 to 100 men to a rope, but this hospital, though absolutely smashed and tilted backward from the Parade as a result of the collapsing of the first etory to the Byron street frontage, will require heavy blasting. This will be done to-day. It was nothing short of a miracle that uo on© was killed, as far as is known, in this collapse, for the interior appears to be blocked by great masses of brickwork and concrete. A call bell has continued ringing since Tuesday. Tho medical stores wonlcl have been invaluable, but. it, was far too risky to attempt (o retrieve any, though some are still in view through first floor windows.