Newspaper Article 1932 – Havelock’s Progress

HAVELOCK’S PROGRESS

“Town Better than Twelve Months Ago.”

MANY BUILDINGS RESTORED

While Hastings has been so busy with her rehabilitation problems, it is pleasing and interesting also to note that Havelock North too has been able to find the pathway in the road to prosperity, and is now well on the way to return to normal.

Havelock North suffered very extensively through the earthquake, and reconstruction has been long and costly, but there is no doubt that, like Hastings, Havelock, with much of its work unfinished, is even now a brighter and better town than it was twelve months ago.

Among the completed works in the village, the Havelock Trading Co’s. store and Duncan’s cycle shop have now been restored in iron and wood, replacing the rough cast which suffered so much in the shake.

Four shops owned by Mr Weathered have been restored, and are re-occupied, while Mr Foster Brook has also completed his very fine block. Mr Eves has completed the restoration of his premises, and the concrete portion of St. Luke’s Anglican Church, which was demolished, has been restored in wood. Mr Fryer’s block of five shops has been completed, and three are now being occupied.

The public baths suffered severely, and the front of the building has been restored in wood and iron, giving it an even improved appearance.

Many other minor repairs have been carried out at various places in the village.

The Town Board offices were badly smashed, but are now in the course of reconstruction and should be completed at an early date. The same may be said of Messrs Estaugh and Treneman’s garage, which is well on its way to completion.

A proposal is now on foot for the reconstruction of the Foresters’ Hall and library, but so far the work has not been started. Several small matters have to be finalised before the work is put in hand.

It can safely be said that Havelock North has handled its rehabilitation problems just as capably as has its sister town, and in a few more months, Havelock should not only be right back to normal, but well on the road to the greatest prosperity.