HAWKES BAY CAPITAL

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 35, 11 February 1931, Page 8

HAWKES BAY CAPITAL

NAPIER OR HASTINGS? '

The ancient rivalry between Napier and Hastings is sure to break out with renewed vigour. What will be the effect upon the two cities in the future? That is the question uppermost at present in the minds of many (states the "Dannevirke Evening News"). "Will Napier : be rebuilt, or will there be some attempt at amalgamation between' the two places, or will an attempt be made to establish a now city on the southern coast of ihe bay, in the vicinity of Clifton. The future is in the'lap of the gods. : ■ Much of -Napier's future will probably depend upon what a survey of the harbour bed discloses. If this has been so disturbed by the submarine upheaval as to make navigation hazardous it may be a deciding factor in reconstruction plans. It would seem a certainty that the harbour squabblo that has divided the community for the past half century has been definitely settled and that the inner harbour—Mr. Jull's pot scheme —has received its quietus. Whether the breakwater scheme has been similarly affected is at present unknown. The concrete mole is definitely known to bo considerably raised, and the future use of the wharves will depend upon the depth of seaVand the navigability of tho water leading to the facilities. These problems must inevitably be faced. ■; . . Then, again, some of the big mercantile firms have been seriously considering shifting their headquarters from Napier to Hastings. The Hawkes Bay Farmers have> recently given a definite lead in this respect, having transferred to Hastings, arid this may be the beginning of a general mercantile exodus. • On the. other hand, Napier will not surrender its claims to be the capital city without a fight. Though many de- : clare at present that,they never wiU return they will probably revise their decision when most of the poignant traces of the present disaster have been removed, and go back. And if the return is anything like the exodus in numbers, Napier will proudly raise its head again, and even if rebuilding methods and structures have to be revised, it may yet again become a beautiful city by the sea, renowned for its sunshine and beauty. Hastings undoubtedly has an opportunity; and will probably obtain a head start, but only the coming yea'ra will disclose whether its temporary advantage will become a permanency. .