CLEARING THE RUINS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 33, 9 February 1931, Page 10

CLEARING THE RUINS

THE TASK IN HAND

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

One of tho most important parts in the restoration of public services iv the Hawkes Bay district is being played by the Public Works Department, and plant and men have already been assembled there and are tackling the formidable task of demolishing ruined buildingß, clearing away the debris, and getting the shattered roads into order again. The Engineer-in-CMef (Mr. F. W. Furkert), tho Inspecting Engineer (Mr. L. B. Campbell), and the engineer in chargo of tho Napier district (Mr. A. Dinnie) are ciire'eting operations. It was Mr. Binnio who was caught by the earthquake »vhile motoring from Taupo to Napier, and who had to walk into Napier. The Government Architect (Mr. J. Mair) and the Designing Engineer (Mr. W. L. Ncwnham) went up on Saturday. Mr. C. J. M'Kenzie, Assistant En-ginccr-in-C'hief", stated to-day that a portable compressor plant, with power drills, had been sent,up on Friday, and on Saturday a caterpillar tractor with a "bulldozer" was dispatched. An Auckland firm had lent a petrol-drivou uxcnyaton to the Department, and it was shipped to Napier on Saturday. On Saturday niglit word was received from Mr. Furkert to send up the Thew steam sltov.cl, which was going away to-day. The Department had between" five and six hundred men at work in the devastated area-, .and tho work was' going ahead as fast as possible under -the difficult circumstances. Fortunately^ sufficient material was available at Wellington to meet the demands so far made, and it was anticipated that the Department's resoureos would be able to cope with the situation.