Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1932, Page 4

TiJe two towns which have suffered the most in the recent visitation are Gisborne and Ayiairoa. The former is the largest town on thla East Coast between Napier and Tauranga, and is about 150 miles north-east of Napier.. Frequent steamer services run from .Gisborne north and south, hut there is no passenger connection. Motor transport links the town with Hawke’s Bay in the south and the Bay of Plenty in the north. Gisborne possesses a very warm climate. It stands on the hanks of the Waiimnta;, Ttoir.wnganui, and T.rruheru rivers. The popu, I .'”ton of the town is about 15,670, and it is increasing steadily. A good dea,l of sheepfannino- j,s carried oa in the district, which exports large quantities of wool and mutton. Two refrigenat- ng companies an* established tliere, besides dairy and bacon factories, a brewery, engineering works, five branch barks, and mornir" and evening newspapers. Gas land ; e'pctricity, arc laid on and there is a good water supply and sewerage system. Tin re is a breakwater in the harbour, but shins of only 300 tons go up to the wharves, larger vessels TVv'vaining in the road* .stead. Captain Cook anchored the

Endeavour at the spot where intercolonial steamers ,!tmr.v stop. The railway goes northwards to Motuhor-a, 19 miles away. In past years Gisborne has suffered 'a number of fairly severe earthquakes. Wairoa borough is situated 'about $4 miles by road from Napier and Go miles from Gi bo: ne. It has a population of about 200. It stands' on the Wiairoa river, which is navigable for about 1G miles, but which lias a very shallow bar. Arrangements were made a few days ago to repair the local freezing, works, which were badly damaged by fire, following the great ■earthquake of 1931. Not far from Wairoa on the road to Gisborne is a valley, from which a number of -Jcipt springs rise. There is a tourist hotel there, with a number of baths supplied from the springs. At one time the natural gas issuing from the ground was used for the lighting of the hotel.