RAN OUT OF CHURCH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9825, 19 March 1923, Page 4

RAN OUT OF CHURCH

ALARM IH WELLINGTON.

TWO EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS.

SUNDAY NIGHT’S VISITATION.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day.

What was probably the most severeearthquake noted in WeUington fod* some years was experienced a few! minutes after 7 o’clock last night. There were two distinct shocks, the first being the least severe. The second, shock was accompanied by a great deal of noise, and occasioned considerable alarm in all parts of the city, particularly the ohurch.es, where services were • in progress. So far as is known, nosevere damage has been done apart from broken windows, cracked show glasses, and fallen chimneys. Considerable noise and rumbling accompaniedthe earthquake. Many clocks stopped. In several churches women fainted, and had to be carried out. In atleast one church there was some danger of panic, but the minister soon quelled it, though some of the congregation made for the door with all speed. Books clattered from theshelves in the public Hbrary, amdlgoods fell in many shops. In St., Paul’s Cathedral the organ rocked to 45 degrees. The Royal arms on the Justice Department’s building iniLambton Quay crashed to the ground. Fortunately nobody was passing itti the immediate vicinity at the time.