EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 46, 24 February 1913, Page 7

EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS

CONTINUE AT WESTPORT FOR TWO DAYS MINERS' ALARMING EXPERIENCE. Ist Tfit*(SRAP«— PBE3S ASSOCIATION.) WESTPORT, This Day. Earthquake shocks have been practically continuous from 12.36 on Saturday till 8 a.m. to-day. There were pronounced shakes at 3.30 a.m., 7.30 a.m., and 7.45, accompanied by a noise similar to cannonadihg. No damage has been done since the first big shock, but the women and the younger portion of the population aro in a state of apprehension. In three or four places in the district narrow fissures have opened in the ground, mostly in "made ground. Some headstones wero displaced in the ceirietery, and scoreft of gas mantles have 066*11 broken in tho town. Quite a "sea" taged in the river. All hands were below on the steamer Karori. and rushed to the deck when the big shake was felt. Arriving steamers report no disturbance at sea. It is almost impossible to count the number of chimneys damaged. Nearly every household in the district has had articles thrown down, with extensive breakages in many places. Men inside the collieries report a ter' rifying experience. It seemed as if a general collapse was imminent, but there was no actual damage to the mines. Later (11 a.m.) The plaste-r in the ceilings of the State schools is loose, and being in danger of falling all the children were dispersed this morning pending repairs. There are slight cracks in the wall of the Westport Coal Company's laboratory; also chemicals to the value of £19 were destroyed. There have been no further shocks since 7.45 a.m.