ALARMING EARTHQUAKES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 3, 9 February 1914, Page 8

ALARMING EARTHQUAKES.

Press Association. WELLINGTON, February 8. A very heavy earthquake, the most severe since 1904, occurred at 11.35 a.m. to-day. The tremors lasted for fully five seconds, one being particularly violent. The post office clock chimed and stopped, and many other pendulum and electric clocks in various parts of the city stopped. In some business premises windows were damaged, and people left the churches' in alarm. People on the wharves and ships also got a scare, and made in some c*ases record time for terra firma. The wall of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart was cracked, but the congregation remained quiet at the exhortation of the priest. PALMEESTON N., February 8. A severe shock of earthquake was felt here at 11.30 this morning. With the exception of knocking some bottles off the shelves iii a chemist's shop, no damage is reported locally. Several people in the churches rushed for the doors.. ■ WANGANUI, February 8. There was an unusually severe shock of earthquake at twenty-five minutes to 12 this morning. The shock, which is the strongest felt here for a long time, lasted several seconds, and caused houses to rock at a great rate. In some instances crockery was thrown from the shelves, and considerable alarm was felt in some households. It was some minutes after the shock before doors ceased swinging. BLENHEIM, February 9. A severe shock of earthquake was felt here yesterday at 11.30 a.m.

SEVEREST SINCE 1904. WELLINGTON, February 9. Yesterday's earthquake >vas followed by a light shock in the, afternoon and another about 7 o'clock this morning. The shock was the severest since 1004. " - WORSHIPPERS STARTLED. PAHIATUA, February 9. A severe and unusually prolonged shock of earthquake yesterday morning at 11.30 was preceded by a'jipud rumbling, which startled •■ church Worshippers. The direction, of the shake was from the west.