’Quake hits Gisborne

Press, 5 March 1982, Page 3

’Quake hits Gisborne

PA Gisborne Large buildings swayed and power was cut off to a wide area when a strong earthquake struck. Gisborne about 11.35 a.m. yesterday. No injuries or serious damage to property were reported. The earthquake was recorded at 5.5 on the Richter scale and was the biggest felt since 1966, when an earthquake caused several buildings to be demolished, including the city’s chief post office.

Yesterday’s ’quake was centred about 30 kilometres south-east of Gisborne, somewhere off the Mahia Peninsula. Power to the city area and much of the Poverty Bay flats was lost for about 15 minutes. A power board spokesman said the main 50kV line into Gisborne had apparatus which automatically “tripped" in an earthquake. Power was restored manually 23 minutes later. An llkV line serving other areas; was not affected.

Some crockery and other ■ fragile items were broken in Gisborne shops. The swaying in some of the larger buildings was enough to move filing cabinets. Traffic lights throughout Gisborne were put out of action and at least one shop closed while the power was off. The city’s water supply at the Mangapoike dams, about 50 kilometres west of Gisborne, was checked after the jolt. Pumping from the headwaters ceased briefly while the power was cut.