YESTERDAYS EARTHQUAKE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 137, 9 December 1908, Page 7

YESTERDAYS EARTHQUAKE.

A. SEVERE SHOCK. [BY TELEGRAPH — PKES3 ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Bth December. Although the earthquake just before noon to-day was hot a violent one, nor was It preceded by« any appreciable rumble, as is often the case, yet it was very marked, and indicated the probability of having been felt over a large area. The earthquake had a northeasterly and south-westerly direction, but was preceded by a less distinct tremor in a north-westerly and southeasterly direction, which gave an elliptical vibration at the start. The more prolonged and severely-felt disturbance was estimated to have been of nineteen seconds' duration. The proceedings at the meeting of the Presbytery were interrupted by the earthquake shock to-day. The clerk was reading a letter when St. Paul's Schoolroom began to rock violently and the windows to rattle. The shock lasted for several seconds. The Star's correspondents at Sumner and Rangiora telephoned that an earthquake was experienced at both places shortly before noon, and was of exceptionally long duration. The earthquake caused a momentary cessation of the work of the Arbitration Court at the irrovincial Council Chambers. The building shook considerably for several seconds, apparently from north to south, accompanied by creaking noises, and the sound of small pieces of falling mortar. Shortly before noon to-day a sharp, short earthquake shock was felt at Lyttelton. It only lasted a couple of seconds on so, but it was violent enough to rit>g the bell of the town clock. Two sharp shocks of earthquake were felt at Hanmer Springs at 11.55 a.m. No damage has been done.

A sample brick, the result of much experimenting by the inventor, Mr. W. Hayter, of Taumarumii, and formerly of Hamilton, is described by a northern exchange as a product of pumice, of which there is an unlimited supply in the interior of the North Island, and is tapped by the newly-opened Main Trunk line. The brick is stated to be of splendid texture, being almost as solid as quartz, and capable of receiving a, good glazed surface. The marvel is that so light and snuffy a substance can be so compressed. The sample shown is hard enough and apparently as durable as franite. It is claimed that bricks can c manufactured at fifty per cent, below the cost of clay bricks. The pumice brick can be put through all the stages of manufacture and be remdy lor use within a few hours.