HAWKES BAY

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1931, Page 6

HAWKES BAY

COURAGE OF THE PEOPLE. NAPIER AND HASTINGS REVISITED. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON. MarcHi 19. After a visit to Napier and Hastings, Mr A. B. Lane, Manager of the Press Association, writes as follows: It is with a feeling of deep sadness that one gazes on the ruins of 'Napier. It is hard to realise that the disaster is a reality—it seems too terrible to be true. No words of tongue oi pen, can convey an adequate impression of the agony of Hawkes Bay. To see is to understand, in part at least and with understanding must come the most passionate sympathy with those who have suffered.

A walk through the streets at night is an eerie experience. The range ol vision is limited, and the street lights gleam on the ghosts of buildings that have passed. It seems that some 'gigan tic hand has smashed the city, and then thrown a flaming torch into the ruins. It is not difficult to realise tTiat here there were scenes of poignant tragedy in which men, women and children yielded up their lives. Through the sad story runs the golden thread of heroic deeds done by humble people whose gallantry in the hour of death and danger will for ever remain unsung. -

The extent of the devastated area in Napier—and by devastated is meant utterly destroyed—is amazing. It is not a matter of a block or two. It takes a considerable time to traverse the stricken streets, without stopping even for a moment. The destruction has been of the most complete and final character. What the earthquake did not demolish the fire devoured .Splendid buildings of yesterday are mere heaps of bricks, concrete and tv isted iron to-day. A grisly outline remains or some, but this only accentuates tlie absolute finality of the catastropne. The vagaries of the earthquake were many, and they wer e . supplemented by the eccentricities of the fire, which spared where it might have burned. The whole area, however, provides eloquent evidence of the ruthless, and unreasoning violence of the destroying agents. -Many ol the ruins are slantinlg pertoutfjv, and will be ,a source of danger until they are removed. It is a commonplace to say that the Hawkes Bay people are wondeiiul, but it is true. They are facing their troubles like heroes, with cheerfulness and courage. The way in which they have cleaned up the streets of the city is ’nothing short of marvellous. Thousands of tons of brick, concrete, twished iron and assorted debris of shattered and fire-ravaged buildings have been lifted from the streets, and deposited on reclamation areas, or used to fill up gaping rents in the earth. The task of clearing away the ruins themselves remains, and it is one ol great magnitude. But it will be tackled and accomplished. Hope, not despair, is the. note that is sounded. Tito appeal of Hawkes Bay to the Parliament and people of New Zealand is ‘•What you would do, do quickly/’ Efficient speed is the essence of tincontract. -

The Napier people claim that what has been done by them since the earth quake could not have been don<. better and I think they are right. Faced by a disaster unprecedented Tn our coum try’s history they acted with courage arid resolution. They organised their own relief services, and succeeded with them. They are determined to reinstate their town, and they believe in its future. They have the vision splendid of a larger, better and more t eautifill Napier, and they have hope and confidence that New Zealand will get together and help them. Already n temporary town is springing up amici the ruins.

The damage in Hastings is on a smaller scale than that in Napier, hut in many instances it is just as complete^—owners and occupiers having suffered total losses of buildings and stock. Among the community there is the same indomitable spirit that refuses to surrender to the bludgeonings of chance. Hawkes Bay’s head is bloody but unbowed.