EARTHQUAKE AT WAIROA

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21116, 17 March 1934, Page 14

EARTHQUAKE AT WAIROA

♦ NO DAMACK RKI'OKTI-l) -- irnr.3s wjoiutiok ih.kgram.) WAIROA. March 16. At 10.47 o'clock last evening the Wairoa district experienced a heavy shock of earthquake, causing many to rush into the streets, but no structural damage is reported. This fact demonstrates how the town has benefited; rrom past occurrences and erected buildings capable of withstanding a shock as severe as last nights, which is placed bv the authorities as equa to five decrees on the Rossi-Forel scale. The earthquake was in a north to south direction, and its cessation was accompanied by a heavy detonation as if explosives had been detonated. It was remarkable that despite the .severity of the shock, shop displays were virtually undisturbed and no loss is reported. The shock could be classed as the third heaviest since the 1931 visitation, and the earth kept moving for a considerable period after the heaviest point had been passed. The telephone service was interrupted, due to the wires breaking, but the stall was out early this morning. The new bridge was not damaged. The earthquake which was felt severely at Wairoa on Thursday night was recorded at the Christchurch Magnetic Observatory. The reading showed that the earthquake was a severe one, though not as intense as that felt in the Wairarapa and Hawke's Hay districts earlier this month. The reading extended over an hour, but as the waves were very lone it is improbable that the shakmu would have been noticeable in the city. I'AIUA'ITA LOSSES trur.ss AS--OI i.\ [ :on iei.o,i;au i WELLINGTON, March Hi. j The situation in the Pnhiatua district I and the damage caused by last week's earthquake were discussed at a meeting of the Cabinet this afternoon. The Minister for Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom), whose ele borate includes the town of Pahiatun, and the Minister for Industries and Commerce itlie Hon. R. Masters) visited the district last Monday, and heard representations from a committee of citizens. At the conclusion of the Cabinet meeting the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) slated that it had been decided to ask local bodies in the districts affected to collect in- : formation in regard to losses, so thai the Government would then be in a ' position to consider what assistance i should be given.