EARTHQUAKES AT GISBORNE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25271, 25 August 1947, Page 6

EARTHQUAKES AT GISBORNE

Seventy Shocks During Week-End

MANY CHIMNEYS DOWN (P.A.) GISBORNE, August 24. Several jolting earthquakes, the worst of which occurred about 2 o’clock, were felt in the Gisborne district early yesterday morning. The worst effects were in the vicinity of Matawai and Motu, where several chimneys were damaged and jars and ornaments were dislodged from shelves. Rumblings preceded the shocks. In Gisborne and on the east coast the earthquake was of a swaying nature but no damage has been reported. The series of earthquakes continued throughout the week-end. From midnight on Friday till late to-day, 70 were recorded in Matawai, some of which were severe. Two severe earthquakes shook the area before midday yesterday. All the shocks were preceded by heavy rumbling. Practically all the chimneys in the Matawai district are either down or badly cracked. No casualties are reported. The shocks were felt in the adjacent townships of Motu and Otoko, but they were not of the same severity. The disturbances were also felt slightly at Opotiki and up the East Coast at Tokomaru Bay.