THE NEW NAPIER

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1933, Page 6

THE NEW NAPIER

A VISIT OF INSPECTION. (Per Pre s 3 Association, Copyright). NAPIER, October 30. A party of parliamentarians visited Napier during the week-end and inspected many works in hand and the proposed development of the district. They were much impressed, not only with the restoration., of the city, but also with the prospects of future expansion and they made numerous expressions of encouragement. Those who paid the visit were Messrs Reid, Holland, Bodkin, McDougall, Harris, Richards, and Mason. During the morning they were conducted on a. tour of a village settlement, a 490 acre block being used in the greater Napier scheme of a 7500 acre small farm scheme, the aerodrome, harbour works, and river diversion. Matters were fully discussed at a meeting held in the afternoon at which the visitors were addressed by local body representatives, who pointed out to the visitors that the Government had invested £1,000,009 in Napier since the earthquake. The future prospects were bound up with expansion, through the development schemes, the protection by river diversion, and increased trade through improvement of the harbour facilities. • Members expressed themselves ns quite satisfied with the requirements and extended congratulations to the district on the efforts to effect a complete recovery from the earthquake. The matter of rehabilitation was also brought be'ore the notice of the "Visitors. It was pointed out that in a. recently issued Government book-on the disaster it wa s stated that a. million pounds was granted to the district for reconstruction. This was quite wrong, as the money was by way .of a loan. The total of grant money was not-TUoie than £20,000. It was also pointed put that’ the public fully''appreciated the generosity of New Zealand, in subscribing £30,000 for relief. The*matter was brought forward to correct a misapprehension throughout the Dominion. The visitors promised sympathetic consideration to the proposals as they come before the House.