NO LIGHT OR WATER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 142, 18 June 1929, Page 9

NO LIGHT OR WATER.

EARTHQUAKES CONTINUE.

GOVERNMENT AID • ASKED.

SHIP SAILED THIS AFTERNOON,

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.")

WELLINGTON, this day.

The postmaster at Westport has reported that the ele'ctric light and water are cut off.

Many buildings in the town, including the hospital, are badly damaged.

The Borough Council convened a publie meeting, which resulted in the formation of a Builders' Committee, who have undertaken voluntarily to effect temporary repairs to business premises and dwellings, in order to make them watertight. Citizens are also grouping themselves for the purpose of mutual assistance. Government assistance is being asked for. Public Works officers blasted the dangerous portion of the Post Office frontage. The earthquakes still continue at frequent intervals, but are less severe. There are numerous slips in the Buller Gorge and there have been many miraculous escaped from death. A telegraph line party was out all night endeavouring to establish communication. Wireless Gear Shipped. The steamer Kartigi was to leave Wellington at 1 p.m. for Westport, carrying complete telegraph equipment and a telephone exchange for 400 subscribers to replace the Westport installation, if needed. The Postal Department is sending a staff, and, as a precaution against continued interruption of communications, it has shipped an emergency wireless installation, capable of being operated by batteries. Line gangs, working from north and south, are endeavouring to restore the land wires wrecked by slips in the Buller Gorge. The worst trouble is at Westport end. Telegraph lines are also faulty north and south of Kaikoura and between Cheviot and Kaikoura.

The steamer Kaitangata, which left Westport at 6 a.m. yesterday, felt the earthquake at sea at 10.15.