TOLL OF HUMAN LIFE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 225, 19 June 1929, Page 12

TOLL OF HUMAN LIFE

A DISASTROUS EARTHQUAKE FIFTEEN DEATHS RECORDED GREAT DESTRUCTION ON WEST COAST Ten more deaths are recorded this morning as a result of the earthquake. This brings the total to date to fifteen, which is double the number of fatalities that have occurred under such circumstances over the last eighty years. According to refugees who reached Nelson last night, Murchison experienced a “night of hell.” Graphic stories are told of hills flattening out, .of homesteads being engulfed, and of families being wiped out In addition to the tragedies at Murchison two miners and two roadmen were killed. Westport is still isolated, and aeroplanes have been brought into commission to supplement the radio service. Tremors continue to be reported.

A TRAGIC SEQUEL

TEN DEATHS REPORTED

FAMILIES WIPED OUT

HOMESTEADS ENGULFED AT MURCHISON

Yesterday was a black day in Murchison’s history. Several homesteads were destroyed, and terrible scenes of desolation were witnessed. Six people were killed in two homesteads which were overwhelmed by landslides.

The Acting-Secretary of the General Post Office late last night received the following information from the postmaster at Murchison: s "Murchison awoke to a scene of havoc and devastation after a night of terror, due to the constant detonations, mostly in, the west, and earth-tremors. The Matakataki Valley, three miles from Murchison, beggars description. The gorge is filled bank to bank half a mile wide, with debris one mile in length. The Matakataki river is now forming a lake, which, it is feared, will break away and flood the town of Murchison, as it is unknown what quantity of water is held further up. This river has already dammed in three places. > The block nearest Murchison, caused by the hill on the west bank behind Mr. Busch’s farm, was blown clean out, burying the homestead and the occupants:—

MRS. MISS BUSCH. RON BUSCH. This burst was so terrific that it overwhelmed a homestead on the opposite side of the river and caused the deaths of: — MR. CHARLES MOREL and MRS. MOREL. In lower Maruia (Arikl), the top of the hill west of Mr. Walter Holman’s property turned over and buried his farm and homestead under thousands of tons of earth, the victims in this case being:— MRS. HOLMAN. A CHILD. This fall of earth has also dammed the Maruia River. At Fern Flat the banks on both sides of the Buller River and the Murchison side of the Buller bridge tumbled into the river. The road is completely blocked from four miles south of Murchison to the Buller bridge. The road has not been traversed further than this, and considerable anxiety is felt for Lyell. A public meeting this morning decided to man pick and shovel the open road to Nelson and get the women and children out. The road over the Maruia Saddle has fallen away, and from eights miles to Matakataki is blocked. Detonations and tremors are continuing. Later. Over two hundred inhabitants left for Netlson. Gibson’s farm in Maruia Valley, Glenavy, was overwhelmed and the following were buried beyond recovery: MRS. GIBSON. MASTER GIBSON. LEO WESTBROOK. MISS FERGUSON. Twenty refugees from this valley are endeavouring to reach Murchison tomorrow. Tremors and detonations still continue two very violent shocks being experienced about 6.30 p.m. It is reported that residents of Matakitaki and Upper Matakitaki were stated yesterday to be safe. No communication has been established with the Upper Maruia Valley and Springs Junction by road or telephone. “A NIGHT OF HELL” By Telegraph.—Press Association. Nelson, June 18. Tn regard to the death of Mrs. Holman and child, killed in the second slip m the Marakataki Valley, spectators state they saw the hills flatten out in front of them. Hodgson’s store was said to be lying over at an angle of forty-five degrees. The police stopped people entering. Volunteers, however, went in this morning to secure bread. Most of the inhabitants, including all women and children, were brought down by motor-lorry and special train to-night. A few men are remaining in Murchison. Further danger is feared from the blocked Matakataki and Buller Rivers, which have been backing up against the huge slips for thirty-six hours. If the water breaks suddenly Murchison will be swept away, with probable disastrous results. In the Buller Valley an everjnereasing lake is being formed by the banked-up waters. Although many buildings are still standing, most are untenable. A Horrifying Experience. S. Busch, whose wife, daughter, and son were killed when their house was engulfed by the falling hillside in the Matakitaki Valley, had a most horrifying experience. He was some distance from the house working in the paddock, when he was the stricken spectator of the awful scene. Hearing a roar, he looked up, to see thousands of tons of rocks and earth falling on his house, which was buried many feet deep. Attempts at extrication were totally out of the question. A refugee informed Pressman that last night was a night of hell —one long series of detonations and violent shocks. The shocks continued this morning, culminating in a violent one, accompanied by a huge slandslide, just before the main party left for Nelson. MINERS KILLED Advice was received in Wellington last night that a miner named William Chamley was killed in the Cardiff mine, Seddonville, and another miner named RobMriAlllsise et CUmae mica.

MURCHISON REFUGEES

EVIDENCE OF TRYING ORDEAL.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Nelson, June 18.

The train which, packed up with refugees at Kohatu, arrived at Nelson at about 8.30, was met by the Mayor and councillors, and arrangements were made for sleeping accommodation for the night. The haggard looks and general appearance of the refugees supplies ample evidence of the trying ordeal through which they had passed. For a fortnight residents of Murchison have heard the noise of-> explosions, which they put down to someone blasting, but they have now come to the conclusion they were of subterranean origin. Monday afternoon and night and until the party left to-day, was just like one continuous thunderstorm. In places there were huge landslides, but terrific explosions which lifted the hillsides right out, hurling enormous masses across wide valleys. Residents felt the earthquakes least when the explosions were greatest Mr. Morel, who was an elderly. man. saw the hillside on the opposite side of the valley, over half a mile distant, bursting out, and seizing his wife they ran hand-in-hand for safety, but were caught by the falling mass, Mrs. Morel being buried up to her neck. She got clear, but Mr. Morel was badly wounded by fragments of rock and bled to death before assistance could be rendered. OPEN FOR CARS GLENHOPE-MURCHISON ROAD The Acting-Secretary of the General Post Office, received the following further report at 2.15 p.m. yesterday from the Chief Postmaster, Nelson: — “1.45 p.m.—The road is now open for cars between Glenhope and Murchison. The position of Murchison is still serious. Persistent tremors and severe shocks occurred this morning. Fifty or sixty people are leaving there to-day to connect with a special train at Kohatu for Nelson. Glenhope is still having frequent earthquakes. There is still no further news south of Murchison. Mr. J. Newman leaves for Nelson in an aeroplane at 2.30 p.m. to investigate the, position between Murchison and Lyell.’’ From the postmaster, Motueka, the following report was received : — “There were numerous tremors throughout the night. No further damage is reported. The main road at Riwaka subsided approximately six inches, extending for about a chain and a-half, with cracks appearing in several places.” SERVICE CAR SAFE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Nelson, June 18. The road to Murchison is now passable. A large number of men from the railway works have been transferred to the road with the result that a way has been cleared through. , . . c Newman Bros.’ service car, with live passengers, which had not reported since the earthquake, was found to-day tore® miles on the West Coast side of Lyell. All were well. TOWN HALL ORGAN SLIGHT TILT TO EASTWARD On examination and measurement yesterday morning it was discovered that the rude shaking of the Town Hall by Monday’s alarming earthquake had affected the grand organ. r ~ It was stated by Mr. T. W. Leslie (custodian) that during the earthquake the great diapason stops —huge metal cylinders of great weight—had moved visibly on the wooden supports on which they rest, and when it was found that three of the stops refused to respond to the action of the keyboard, it was at once obvious that the mechanism had received a jolt that threw some of the stops (pipes) out of alignment. On measurements being made it was discovered that the organ had tilted some three inches towards the cast (Cuba Street), and an adjustment would have to be made. What that means in the way of work will depend on the organ expert (Mr. Tustin), who is at present away from Wellington. i

As is pretty well known, the organ pipes are held in a vertical position, mostly by a wooden frame of oak, which, on its appearance, is not intended to withstand violent lateral thrusts that may be made by the larger stops, so that it will be necessary for a thorough examination to be made by the expert (who came to Wellington, representing the makers, Messrs. Norman and Beard, to erect the organ). A TILT TO THE EAST WHAT THE RECORDS SHOW One interesting aspect of the records made by the main seismographs at the Dominion Observatory before they were thrown out of action is that they show that a short time prior to the earthquake the earth gave a slight tilt to the east. Whether there is any significance in this remains to be seen. Similar tilts have been recorded on previous occasions when nothing in the way of a subsequent earthquake happened. The old Milne seismograph withstood the shake and made as complete a record as its limited capabilities would allow, but the shake was so severe that some parts of the record have been lost. However, when this record and those which will be subsequently obtained from other observatories are analysed more details will he available as to the nature of the earthquake. “PERFECTLY PLUMB” HOPE GIBBONS BUILDING. As considerable public interest has been taken in Messrs. Hope Gibbons’ building, and as the individual estimates of the amount It is out of plumb vary from 9in. to 3ft., the owners have dropped a plumb line over the western front corner. This shows’the building to be perfectly plumb, and the line will be left in position for some time for tlie benefit of those insaraatedl

A GRAPHIC STORY

NELSON'S EXPERIENCE

SLIPS AT TARAKOHE TREMORS CONTINUE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Nelson, June 18. Earthquake tremors continued during last night and this morning, though the shocks were not of very great severity. The community has had a most trying experience. An examination of some of the business premises which suffered most severely shows that extensive, repairs will be necessary. Communication beyond the Owen Junction is still blocked, and it is likely to be some time before it is renewed. _ All the way from Glenhope to Owen the roadway is in a wrecked state, particularly towards Owen, where immense falls of earth and boulders cover the roadways in various places. At this part the men engaged on the road im. provements and the railway daily put in blasts, and this has had the effect of loosening the earth all round. Gibb’s service car left for the Coast at the usual hour yesterday morning, and (the driver was destined to undergo an experience which he has no desire to have repeated. Stones, boulders, and trees were falling in all directions, and before Owen was reached further progress was found to be utterly impossible, and the car returned to town at 8 o’clock last night in a very battered condition, and with the engine damaged. At Glenhope (1250 feet above sea level) the shocks experienced were most terrifying. Not a chimney has been left standing, and all the crockery was dislodged from the shelves and dressers, and smashed on the floor. Most of the inhabitants erected tents and tarpaulins, being afraid to spend the night in their homes. A graphic description of the experiences at Tarakohe was given by the members of the crew of the steamer Orepuki, which was resting on the bottom alongside the Tarakohe Wharf. The vessel wobbled about during the shake and the wharf swayed to such an extent that the workmen had to lie down to prevent being thrown into the sea. A four-ton lift on the wharf was hurled into the water, and the steel girders of an uneonstructed crane were strewn about. The swaying of the high cliffs and rocks in the vicinity of the cement works had a paralysing effect on those who witnessed it. Everyone on the wharf and in the works had a terrifying experience when the swaying cliffs near the power-house began to slip away and thousands of tons of earth slid with a loud roar to the level ground below. It is estimated that 6000 tons fell near the power-house. One great block estimated to weigh 500 tons, was hurled down witbout breaking. Several people on the road around the cliffs had the unenviable experience of seeing the road and cliff part about four feet and join again, and then part, leaving a gaping fissure between the road and the cliff. The road between Pohara beach and Tarakohe is blocked by slips and fissures. Arrangements are being made to bring fifty or sixty of the homeless Murchison residents to Nelson. It will be a difficult matter, owing to the state of the road.

MINISTER LEAVES FOR NELSON. The Minister of Education (Hon. H. Atmore), who is also Minister in Charge of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, left for Nelson last night to inspect the damage which has been done to the Nelson Boys’ College.

TWO ROADMEN KILLED

DAMAGE AT NELSON BOYS’ COLLEGE

Dominion Special Service. Nelson, June 18.

Conditions in the city to-day assumed a more normal appearance, and “business as usual’’ was the slogan, but the nervous strain under which most of the people are suffering was more or less manifested.

Tremors continued up till the afternoon and some of the shocks were sufficient to induce the more nervous people engaged in damaged brick premises to make a quick exit to the streets. Many homes are without fires owing to all ehimneys being down, and it will be quite a considerable time before all are repaired. It is quite possible that some of the brick premises in the city will have to be pulled down and reconstructed. The hundreds of people who have viewed the scene of desolation at the Boys’ College, marvel at the escape of the scholars. Some portions of the structure beat all the appearances of a bombardment. There is a gaping hole in the west wing; the front of the building is badly torn and shattered, while heavy falls, of masonry went clean through the ceilings to the floors of the classrooms. It could surely have been nothing less than providence that averted considerable loss of life. At the Reservoir no damage W’as done, but there was considerable wave action in the big dam. Every portion of the district appears to have suffered. . In addition to the fatalities at Murchison, it is also reported, that two roadmen named Middleniass and Hill have also been- killed. MARLBOROUGH REPORTS SHAKE SEVERE AT TOPHOUSE By Telegraph—Dress Association. Blenheim, June 18. Earthquake investigations reveal that the first estimate that the damage was comparatively slight was accurate. Tremors of varying intensity but mainly very slight were felt during the night and continued until noon. They kept nervous people on the qui vive, but did not cause any serious disturbances. Telephonic inquiries disclose no important additions to the list of damage, all parts having come through the ordedl fairly safely. The postmaster at Tophouse reports a really terrifying experience throughout the whole countryside. Apparently that territory was fairly near the centre of the origin of the disturbance, and was very severely shaken, while loud rumbling added to the eerieness. The first shock was felt at 7.22 a.m. yesterday, and the main quake at 10.20 a.m. Between 7.22 and 11.18, when the postmaster was called out on line duty, no fewer than 14 distinct shocks were felt. From 8 p.m., when the officer returned, until noon today there had been six further shocks. All the minor tremors had been of a duration of practically six seconds, and all had ■ been accompanied by noises like distant thunder. It is estimated that the heavy shake occupied 80 seconds. Buildings and trees swayed and trembled, and all chimneys in the district were levelled. Trees nnd buildings swung at least 18 inches out of plumb. The shake appeared to be travelling north to south. At the time of the heaviest vibrations there were loud explosive noises, coming seemingly from the direction of the West Coast.

Huge masses of the hillsides slipped into Lake Rotoiti during the big 'quake, setting up a great rumbling and crashing noise. A warning of the approach of the main disturbance was provided by the rumbling noises which preceded it. The road from Tophouse to Kawatiri is strewn with boulders and debris brought down by the shake, and care had' to be exercised in travelling the road by car. All along the roadside fillings have subsided, leaving barely sufficient traffic room.

Reports like muffled explosioins were heard in all parts of Pelorus Sound. They were especially distinct at Manaroa, where the settlers had a terrifying experience. and feared a repetition of the north shock*,

ON THE WEST COAST

GREAT HAVOC WROUGHT “WORST IN HISTORY” STATE OF ISOLATION The latest reports from the West Coast tell a sorry tale of the toll taken by the earthquake. Greymouth had a dreadful experience, while Westport, which is still isolated, is reported to have been almost wrecked.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Greymouth, June 18.

Greymouth had a terrifying experience; the earthquake was the worst in its history. A lighter shock about 7.25 a.m. lasted about twenty seconds. The main disturbance was at 10.19 a.m., continued with the utmost violence for fully a minute, and it was succeeded at very short intervals by smaller vibrations for the best part of an hour, while further tremors continued during the afternoon. Houses rocked like ships in a stormy sea, and chimneys crashed in hundreds all over the town, and the ceilings of numerous buildings broke, and in one or two instances large pieces of cornice and external masonry fell to the ground. In the hotels extensive losses resulted from the throwing of bottles from the shelves, and the chemists fared equally as bad. In places clouds of flijst mingled with the smoke -from fires, which were agitated by the jolting and swinging, but there was no call for the services of the fire brigade. The creaking and rattle as the buildings strained under the upheaval, and the rushing noise which came from the great slide of metal at the Cobden quarry, made the phenomenon more alarming than anything of the kind ever known here. Women in houses and girls in the schools fainted, and there was a general stampede into the streets. In dozens of places chimneys came through roofs, and several very narrow escapes are reported. Dozens more chimneys were left in a dangerous state.

Fissures a Yard Wide.

The footpaths on the seaward side of the town now exhibit fissures in all directions. There are long narrow ones along Richmond Quay, one extending for over afty yards, but the most remarkable result was in Blaketown, adjacent to the beach, where a deep crack opened in a garden, through which there welled up creamy silt and salt water, spreading a deposit over an area of about twenty or thirty square yards. Every footpath in Blaketown had its asphalt cracked. The main traffic bridge leading to Blaketown was rendered impassable through the road falling at either end, the drop on the seaward side being about two feet. Three deep fissures, extending each a distance of nearly a hundred feet and widening in places to more than a yard, opened up in the road, and there is a narrow one on the landward side. The bridge itself was evidently pushed westward fully a foot, causing the caps on the piles at that end to split and turn over. . Fissures also opened in the road at Omoto, near the racecourse, and also near Victoria Park and at Nelson Creek.

Bridges and Railways Damaged.

The railway lines heaved up for threequarters of a mile on the western side of the Blackball bridge, in which the piles of the central span have sunk several inches. The lines were heaved up and down also north of Ngahere, and bridges between there and Reefton were rendered unsafe for traffic. Three bridges between Stillwater and Moana are also unsafe. The result was almost a general stoppage of train services. In the afternoon the only trains operating were those on short runs to the State Mine district and to Ngahere. Passengers to and from Otira were taken by motor-car between the Ngahere and Kaimata. Subsidences are reported nt six places on the Hokitika line, while there are many serious ones on the line between Reefton and Inangahua landing. It is not yet known what trains can be run to-day, but some will begin in the morning. A slip at Kotuku, on the Otira line, has stopped train traffic. It is hoped that it can be resumed to-morrow. Submarine Origin? Observers report the sea to have been in unusual commotion at the time of the beginning of the main shock,_ which may have bad a submarine origin. The exact time at which the big shock began was recorded at various post offices, and a comparison indicates the direction from which it started. It was felt at Greymouth at 10.19 a.m., just two minutes later than it was reported at Reefton, arid a minute sooner than the Hokitika officials noticed it. That might indicate that the centre of the subsidence was in a northerly direction. It has been said that it was felt at Blaketown slightly before it reached Greymouth, but that cannot be proved. There were minor tremors early in the morning, the first one about 12.50 a.m., and for at least an hour afterwards there were others, quite small, but easily discernible. Then at 7.25 a.m. there a shock was felt by a great many people. The shake after midnight was similar in intensity to that at 7.25 a.m., but of shorter duration, and both were followed by slight tremors until the big shake came with startling suddenness at 10.19 a.m. . Shocks continued in the evening. Two well-defined shocks occurred a few minutes before 7 o’clock. Earth tremors continued at fairly frequent intervals throughout the night and as late as 7 a.m. to-day. „ , First Reports Upheld. All the mines are working to-day except the State mine. An investigation of the damage proves yesterday's reports not to have been exaggerated. The Worst Sufferers. The places in Greymouth to suffer most have been Kim Williams’s mercery, at the junction of Mawhera Quay and Taintii Street, where the masonry fell in big blocks, the Albion Hotel (a large brick structure), the Catholic Presbytery, the Convent Chapel, and the Hospital, where the dispensary was badly wrecked. The patients at the hospital behaved wonderfully. though several had narrow escapes from falling plaster and ornaments. A huge chimney stack in the hospital grounds was badly cracked at the top. and a smaller one at the gas works suffered similarly. The Greymouth Town Hall apparently suffered considerable damage across the central part, while cracks are visible alongside the tower. The parapet was fractured and lumps of masonry were hurled into the street. Some ornamental masonry also fell from the top of the tower. The machinery at both newspaper offices was displaced. The Afarist Brothers’ brick school was damaged in several rooms and a corridor and the iaboratorv was partly wrecked. The boys in c1"»= hurried out by the fire escapes. The damage in the town must run into many thousands of pounds. At Paroa a fountain made its appearance from a fissure. A Spectacular Incident. The most spectacular incident was the falling of a hundred thousand tons of rock at the Cobden quarry, where fifteen men, working at the face hud time barely to get clear. Pieces of rock weighing many tons rolled across the road. The fall is far greater than has ever been secured by means of explosives. One workman, named Kelly, was struck on the leg by a stone. Cobden lost a great many chimneys. At Nelson Creek houses fared badly. Hokitika reports extensive damage. Earthquakes were felt at Reeftoil at 12.45' a.m., 7.20 a.m., and 10.17 a.m. The last, of several minutes’ duration, ami accompanied to much aoiae, did

great damage. Chimneys are down everywhere. The hotels had shelves cleared, and goods in the stores were thrown to the floor. The shocks continued there all day.

Down in the Mines.

The coal miners generally had an awful experience. Fearing that they were entombed, all rushed for the pitheads, and emerged white and shaken. The roof of Armstrongs Co-operative Mine collapsed, but the men were all Two miners were injured in the Biandale Colliery through striking props Three miners were buried in the Blackball Mine, but were quickly rescued One miner was injured slightly on the head at the Rewanui State Colliery. The Brunner district and its mines escaped lightly. Most chimneys collapsed in Blackball, where the main road is blocked by the collapse of a hillside. Water nnd gas mains in Greymouth were broken in several places, but the flow was quickly checked by the staffs. Up till 6 p.m. yesterday the West Coast was cut off telegraphically from the rest of the country.

Buller River Low.

The following message was received yesterday by the acting-secretary of the Post Office from the Chief Postmaster, Greymouth: “The Buller River, though very low at the Junction, appears to be flowing slowly through landslides at Fern Flat, and the danger to Westport and shipping is not considered great. Slips in gorge will stop all road transport for some days and hinder line repairs, but I am endeavouring to get a gang through from the Junction. Minor shocks and tremors are still occurring, but no further damage is reported.” “Linemen are unable to traverse the gorge below Inangahua Junction owing to slips .No communication is obtainable beyond the Junction. Every endeavour is being made to get men through to Westport. The prospects do not appear favourable to-day.” WESTPORT ISOLATED COMMUNICATIONS BY WIRELESS ASSISTANCE FROM THE AIR Telegraphic communication is still interrupted to Westport. Messages of an important nature are being transmitted when possible by wireless via the Union Steam Ship Company’s Kaitoke at Westport. As the prospect of the restoration of lines was unpromising, the PostmasterGeneral, after conferring with the Minister of Defence, arranged to have two expert radio-telegraphists conveyed by aeroplane from Christchurch to Westport. The aeroplanes left Christchurch at 9.20 a.m., and on arrival at 11.25 a.m. the telegraphists took over the wireless installation on the Kaitoke in an endeavour to maintain the best possible service with the radio station at Awarua. A telegram and a letter mail from Christchurch was carried by the aeroplanes, and similar arrangements were made from Westport on the return flight. A launch is being used for communicating with the shore. Captain Buckley returned to Sockburn at 1.30 p.m., and Captain Burrell and the harbour board engineer commenced a survey of the Buller River and dam in the afternoon. They will report later on the prospect of flood. All ships were ordered away from the wharf by the harbourmaster as a precaution in case of the dam breaking. Organising Assistance.

Further advices from the postmaster at Westport state that the electric light and water is cut off, and that buildings in the town, including the hospital, are badly damaged. The Borough Council convened a public meetinf, which resulted in the formation of a builders’ committee, who have undertaken voluntarily to effect temporary repairs to business premises and dwellings in order to ensure they are watertight. Citizens are also grouping themselves for the purpose of mutual assistance. Government assistance is to be asked for. The Public Public Works officers blasted the dangerous portion of the Post Office frontage. The earthquakes still continue at frequent intervals, but are of a less severe nature. There are numerous slips in the Buller Gorge, and there were many miraculous escapes. A line party was out all night endeavouring to establish communication. It was estimated up to yesterday morning that the dam at Fern Flat contained half the volume of water compared with the 1926 flood. It is not at present known what additional amount of water the dam would hold before overflowing. Many residents slept in cars, and in open last night. Communication has been established as far as Te Kuha, in the Gorge. It was hoped to ggt one telegraph line through last night. REPAIRING THE DAMAGE A party of Post and Telegraph employees left Wellington yesterday for Westport to repair the damage done to the local Post Office. They took with them sufficient eauipment for the establishment of a telegraph office and telephone exchange. WESTPORT’S TERRIFYING . EXPERIENCE STORY RECEIVED BY AEROPLANE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, June 15. (By Aeroplane from Westport.) On Monday Westport passed through a most terrifying experience, when the town was severely shaken by the earthquake. Chimneys toppled down in all directions, hardly one building if any escaping without one or more chimneys being toppled over. Many passed through roofs of the buildings, adding to the damage done. The Post Office clock tower was one of the first places to go. A few pieces of masonry came tumbling down, and then the whole of the top, clock and all, crashed to the ground. Indeed, it was found advisable to blast away some of the looes pieces. Houses in the vicinity of the clock were roped off and the staff speedily deserted the building, which has not yet been retenanted, as. earthquakes, some very severe ones, continue. The brick walls on either side of Bett’s garage collapsed, bringing the roof down with a crash. Six motor-cars, including new ones, were overwhelmed by the debris. One of the brick walls on Gough’s side did considerable damage there, while a brick wall on the other side of Enright’s also collapsed, adding to the disaster. The Albion Hotel, a brick building, lost its heavy top portion, which crashed on to the footpath. The brick walls of F. S. Wood’s building also collapsed, ■ one wall on to the “Times” office, doing considerable damage there, and making publication for some days improbable. The heavy frontage ot Ward s building also crashed on to the footpath. Right down the front street footpaths were littered with broken plate glass. In Mullan’s pharmacy scarcely a bottle or an article remained on the shelves. Part of the Fire Brigade’s brick wall also fell, and the heavy stone masonry of the railway workshops wall came crashing into Adderley Street. The school was very nearly the scene of a tragedy, a little girl, Ola Dent, being struck by a falling brick from a chimney, sustaining severe injuries to her head and loot Part of the belfry crashed into a hallway as children were emerging. Miss Minnm and a kiddie being caught in the debris and extricated with very light injuries One chimney crashed through the roof near' where u teacher, Miss Norrie had been standing. At the Technical School eight chiin- i noys are down.

There were stirring scenes at the hospital when a chimney came crashing down. Patients were hurried out, and some were taken to the Old People’s Home, a wooden building. Down at the wharves the lines are bent and the wharf itself is knocked out of alignment. The railway down to the tiphead is severely bent, and right down the side of the line are huge fissures. News from the country generally tells of fallen chimneys, land slips and two deaths. William Chamley, a widower, 55 years of age, was killed in the Cardiff Bridge mine, Seddouville, and Robert McAllister, a miner, in the Glasgow Mine, Seddonville. While county lorries were at work on the Stockton track big slips came down, overwhelming two of them and narrowly missing the men. The road overland via the Buller Gorge is blocked with slips, while Birchfield, Denniston, Waimangaroa, Ngakawau, Granity, Stockton and Hector all report general crashes of chimneys and other damage. FURTHER TREMORS MANY SHOCKS AT REEFTON By Telegraph.—Press Association. Greymouth, June 18. A serie sof tremors has continued here and in neighbouring localities since the big shock at 10.19 a.m. yesterday, but no further serious damage is recorded. The majority of Greymouth chimneys require renewal. Train services partly were restored to-day, and the express to Christchurch will run to-morrow. Two aeroplanes passed over, Greymouth to-day, having visited Westport, where one is stated to have left a radiosending set. One came from the Marlborough Aero Club under charter to Newman Bros., and the other, in charge of Captains Buckley and Burrell, from Sockburn, with mail and a wireless operator for Westport. The Greymouth gas mains are considerably damaged, and the water matins need repairs in several places. At the south of the Grey Lagoon mud and sand exuded during the big shock have formed little hillocks on the grasscovered areas. The fluid is straw-col-oured, while the sand is of a different kind to that in the vicinity. One vent forced out a fence post . The Grey Valley miners remained idle as some of the pillars have been work--1 south of Hokitika the effect of the disturbance has been distinctly less than in the country northwards. One sawmill at South Beach was damaged and put out of action. Up the Grey Valley the quake was of great severity along the railway, but not so in the hilly region round Waiuta. Women have remained nervous since the main shock, but beyond some remaining up last night, there have been no other signs of alarm. The Reefton correspondent ■ of the “Argus” reports that one hundred and twenty tremors and shocks have been recorded since 10.18 a.m. on Monday. The Buller Gorge fared very badly, and there is no sign yet of resumption of communication with Westport. The Buller River is blocked above the Lyell and has fallen about ten feet on the south side of the obstruction. Reefton people remain much unnerved,. The Buller river to-day was carrying logs at great speed past Inangahua Junction, but the rush is not considered great enough to cause damage in the lower reaches of the river. The roads all round Reefton are cracked. At Lankey’s Creek hills subsided into the valley. The Inangahua Junction Hotel suffered badly. Cracks in the ground fronting the hotel exuded dirty water, while the shock there threw men to the ground. Two bridge cylinders there were cracked, one shifting out of position. Paddocks at Three Channel Flat are covered with white sand, and at Flaxbush Creek a whole hillside fell. The railway at, Inangahua Junction resembled the waves of the sea. A train from Greymouth reached Reefton to-night. Two roadmen at Lyell were injured, one suffering a broken leg and the other a broken jaw.

RAILWAY DAMAGE POSITION AT REEFTON By Telegraph.—Press Association. Reefton, June 18. Slight shocks of earthquake were felt nil day yesterday, and during the night. Much damage is reported. The Inangahua Valley railway line to Inangahua Junction has been twisted and raised in places. All chimneys have been levelled at Inangahua Junction. Two cylinders of the bridge are cracked, and the running hoards were wrenched off, and are lying face downwards. The road at Dee Hill is reported to have slipped away, and there is a slip on the hill at Rocklands. RAILWAY SERVICES Advices received by the Railway Department yesterday stated that the line between Reefton and Inangahua was damaged, and it was estimated that repairs would probably take some weeks to effect. An embankment between Aloana and Kaimata was broken for a distance of 60 feet and to a depth of 15 feet. It was expected that the interruption between Aloana and Kaimata would be cleared by 5 p.m. yesterday, that the Re wanui line would resume ordinary running at 3 p.m., and that the HokitikaGreymouth service would be restored by noon. Ordinary traffic had already been resumed between Greymouth and Blackball, via Ngahere, and it was expected that the section between Ngahere and Reefton would be clear, and running resumed. Alail trains would run between Christchurch and Otira yesterday, and through to Greymouth to-day. STATE MINES IDLE The Alinister of Alines (Hon. AV. A. Veitch) received a telegram from the superintendent of State coal mines, Greymouth, about 1.10 p.m. yesterday stating that the State mines were idle owing to continued earthquakes, and interrupted rail services. The mines were expected to resume operations to-day. WRECKED BUILDINGS AN URGENT APPEAL FOR BRICKLAYERS As a result of the damage suffered at Westport, Air. H.- E. Holland, A1.1’., and the Alayor (Air. J. H. Harkness) sent a radio telegram to the Prime Alinister (Kt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) stating that bricklayers were wanted, as scarcely a chimney in Westport had escaped, and all brick Buildings had been damaged. Sir Joseph Ward immediately communicated the contents of the telegram to the secretary of the AA r cllington Bricklayers’ Union.

Air. 11. Hanton, secretary to the Bricklayers! Union, informed a “Dominion” reporter yesterday that he had been search ing for bricklayers, but had not been able to secure any. Aleanwhile, be was telegraphing to the Alayor of Westport for particulars as to wages and X-'itions The Labour Department was a,.>o mak ing inquiries for bricklayers, and the question of transport was in the hands of the Department. An advertisement for bricklayers appears in another column. Application should be made to the secretary of the union from 10 to 10.30 thia morning.

CORPORATION BUILDINGS UNDAMAGED

MINOR CRACKS IN LIBRARY The Wellington City Corporation got off very lightly as regards earthquake damage. No noticeable damage was done to the Town Hall, whilst in the Free Public Library only a little plaster fell, and a few cracks appeared in the plaster here and there to denote that the old place had suffered a shaking. A few cracks also appeared in the city engineer's block, but none that would impair that structure's usefulness. People in the vicinity of the old Mercer Street power-house witnessed the 80tt chimney stack swaying in mid-air, and wondered vaguely if it could withstand the untoward motion. This stack is now one of the unwanted monuments in the middle of the city. Some ten years ago it was considered none too safe, and collars of iron were bolted round the stack every six feet or so to strengthen it; but Monday’s 'quake proved that, it is still a stable structure. The question as to its demolition must now arise, even if it be only in the interests of public safety. A similar stack, which was an adjunct to the old destructor, was demolished at Clyde Quay about six years ago- __ BEYOND PREDICTION MINISTER’S REASSURANCE With a view of allaying any anxiety that might exist in the public mind regarding the possibility of further severe shocks, the Minister in charge of the Scientific and Industrial Research Department (Hon. H. Atmore) stated yesterday that the consensus of scientific opinion was that earthquakes could not be predicted. If reasonable precautions were taken in the construction of buildings by the use of suitable reinforced material no great danger was to be apprehended. _ „ „ , , Mr. Atmore added that Dr. C. E. Adams had suggested that if a committee of seismologists, architects, and builders, with representatives of local and general authorities, were convened, a class of building suitable to New Zealand, and designed to withstand the effects of earth tremors, could be specified. The Minister emphasised that all irresponsible predictions should be disregarded. 1 NORTH ISLAND CLEAR TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION. “Everything is all right in the Wellington district and the North Island generally so far as telegraphic communication is concerned.' It has not been interfered with by the earthquake,” stated the chief telegraph engineer of the P. and T. Department yesterday. “The main north line from Christchurch has not been cut off altogether, though it was broken in several places; but the breaks have been restored to a considerable extent, and we hope soon to be in full cimmunication with Christchurch. Communication with Westport is still being worked by radio, by means of the ships there, telegraphic communication not having been restored yet. But the line from Inangahua Junction to Greymouth is now all right, and we are restoring the line from Inangahua Junction down the Buller Gorge to Westport “There is a break in the communication with Takaka, but it is nothing serious. The linesmen are at work, and communication will soon be restored.”

ONLY MINOR DAMAGE CHRISTCHURCH ESCAPES LIGHTLY By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, June 18. Only minor damage is reported in the city to-day. Several chimneys in a house in Bealey Avenue fell, smashing the roof, but no other houses appear to have suffered anything worse than cracked chimneys. Two or three brick walls in old buildings fell, but no big building suffered except for a few broken windows. Insurance men say they will settle all claims under the risks held by them for a very small sum. An early report that the Cathedral spire was put out of plumb is contradicted after a surveyor’s examination. The cross at the top appears crooked, but the masonry and steel structure which form the top of the spire are apparently stable. Trains from Christchurch to Greymouth have been cancelled for today, owing to a slip having carried away a sixty-foot embankment near Moana, but this will be cleared by this evening. Arthur’s Pass escaped damage, and the tunnel is intact. Country towns in Canterbury report having felt a severe shock, but little or no damage was done. FURTHER SHOCKS A SOUTHERN FORECAST Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, June 18. From an examination of the seismographic records taken at the magnetic observatory during the last two days, Mr. H. F. Skey stated to-day that in his opinion the origin of the earthquake lay a little west of the north of Christchurch. Further shocks could be expected for at least a fortnight. Up to 10.30 a.m. to-day thirty-three “after” shocks had been recorded. Now that the northern part of the West Coast and Nelson had proved themselves earthquake areas, people should not be in any hurry to repair the damage done. Any future construction should be solely of ferro-con-crete, Mr. Skey added. SHAKE RECORDED AT OTTAWA Australian Press Association. Ottawa, June 17. A severe earthquake, believed to have occurred in New Zealand, was registered at the Dominion Observe tory on Sunday at 6.9 p.m. The distance was calculated as 8100 miles away, and the time at the local epicentre as 10 a.m. on June 17.

LONDON MERCHANT ANXIOUS Dominion Special Service. Dunedin, June 18. Evidently expectant of the worst is a London produce merchant, who has cabled to a local produce firm: “Telegraph full report of earthquake. IV ill it affect dairy supplies?”

The lesson to be learned from the recent earthquake is that rigid structures are not safe habitations in New Zealand. Nature has declared in no uncertain terms that such structures are death-traps. Why incur additional expense by building in brick when a safer, cheaper, cleaner, healthier home can be built in New Zealand timbers? —P.B.A.