SEVERE EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1035, 25 May 1894, Page 6

SEVERE EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS.

There was a slight shock of earthquake at Wellintton at about 4.30 on Monday, ac--companied by sound like a sharp explosion. At 9.40 there was another shock, the most prolonged and vigorous that has been felt there for years. It caused people to run from their houses into the streets in all directions, but so far as can be gathered, the people were quits for their fright, and no actual damage was done. There was more noise^ than anything else. Persons in the open say there was a loud crash, as though the hills were coming down bodily, and the noise of the buildings rattling together and the rustling of the trees was tremendous. In some of the taller wooden buildings the swaying was violent, and women fainted. The brick buildings do not appear to have felt it so much. Sir James Hector says that the seiso* meter at the museum showed a vibration of §in, and the shock which lasted 6sec, was the most vigorous in his experience. The direction was from north-west, and he thinks it was connected with some disturbance in the central region. The shock in the early morning was preceded by a loud concussion, which led many to believe there had been an explosion somewhere in the town. Wellington was agitated to its depths, and many of its inhabiaants felt more seasicky for a brief space as they hurried into the open than ever they did on board a Union Company's steamer, and it was astonishing to observe how many people seemed to prefer to await developments in the open 'air. The fine pile of brick buildings that houses the Public Library for a second time shows signs of strain and weakness that will mean costly anxiety to the trustees and otherr. The Public Library got a bad wrench from the earthquake. An old crack, which was caused over a year a<;o in a similar manner, opened out again and extended a little. The plaster fell largely from the ro*f in the hall and cracked on the walls. There wa« also a slight shock of earthquake on Monday morning! No damage of any account reported, except that a chimney top or two were shaken down. Shocks were also felt at Greymouth, New Plymouth, Christchurch, Nelson, etc.