SEVERE SHOCK.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19852, 13 February 1930, Page 10

SEVERE SHOCK.

EARTHQUAKE IN HAWKE'S BAY.

DAMAGE AT PORANGAHAU.

(PB3SS ASBOCII.TIOK TBLIOKAK.)

NAPIER, February 11

An earthquake starting gently and increasing to a considerable swaying motion, caused people in Napier and Hastings to run into the streets about 6.24 this evening. The tremor lasted about half a minute, and was followed six minutes later by another less severe shake of shorter duration. The first shake rocked buildings, and caused hanging lights and telegraph wires to sway a good deal. So far no damage is reported. The shock was also felt severely at Woodville.

GISBORNE, February 12

A slight earthquake shock was experienced at Gisborne at 6.33 to-night. A short, sharp earthquake was f ;!t at Opotilci at 6.15.

Scarcely a chimney is left standing in Porangahau township and district (on the coast east from Waipukurau) and those which did not fall are cracked. This area was the most severely affected by the earthquake, at least so far as Hawke's Bay is concerned. The shock, the most severe experienced for over 40 years, was accompanied at Porangahau by a distant roar and a severe jolting, which continued for four or five minutes. Residents were greatly alarmed, and rushed into the streets for safety. Hundreds of pounds' worth of damage is said to have been done to houses, and crockery and furniture were thrown to the floor with great force and smashed to pieces. Several large trees were uprooted, arid small cracks have appeared in roads.

The local stores and the hotel are the heaviest losers, and it will be samp time before thing-s are righted again. Several email shakes were felt this morning. No cases of injury have been reported.

Waipawa and Wainukurau people vnre also alarmed at the shock, which was quite severe in those towns, but ro serious damage is reported.

AT MASTERTQN.

(pbess association telegbam.) MABTJ39TQN, February }2. A fairly viplent phqek of earthquake wag felt here at 6.23 p.jn. A series of rather jerky shakes lasted fe? about half a minute, followed by fainter tremors dying away. The bells of the Post Officei clock were rung lightly. No damage appears to have been dope.

AT WANGANUI. (PR*S» ASSOCIATION TSLtSBAIt.) WANGANUI, February 12. A rather severe earthquake was felt at Wanganui at 6.22 this evening, followed eight minutes later by minor shakes. The sway was east to west. No ,damage is reported.