EARTHQUAKE SHOCK

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26031, 7 February 1950, Page 4

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK

NO DAMAGE REPORTED

TREMORS FELT IN NORTH CANTERBURY

A slight earthquake was felt in Christchurch and country districts to the north about 10.41 p.m. yesterday. No damage has been reported. The earthquake started as a shudder, followed by a slight swaying movement, and was of sufficient force to set lights swaying. As the earthquake was not felt far south of Christchurch nor many miles inland, it apparently had its centre north of Christchurch and some miles out to sea.

At Cheviot there was quite a sharp jolt preceded by a rumble. There has been no report of any damage there, although it was described as the most severe since 1948, when considerable damage was caused at Waiau.

There were slight but appreciable shocks at Culverden, Kaikoura, Amberley, Waiau, and Akaroa. The earthquake was not felt at Hanmer Springs. Ashburton, or Timaru. The earthquake was an unnerving experience for a new Lyttelton Harbour Board signalman, Mr L. J. Toms, who was in the signal tower on the Gladstone Pier. “I only came out from England in September,” he said, “and it was the first one I have ever felt. I didn’t like it a little bit. Up here the signal tower swayed for about five minutes. I put it down in the# log. My hair stood on end and shivers' ran up and down my back.”