ORIGIN OF 'QUAKE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 36, 12 February 1931, Page 14

ORIGIN OF 'QUAKE

NORTH OF NAPIER

EXPERT'S OBSERVATIONS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIEB, 11th February. That the origin of the earthquake was seaward of Wnikarc, approximately forty miles northward of Napier, is the opinion of Mr. 11. V. Baird, of tho Magnetic Observatory, Christchurch, who has made an aeroplano inspection of tho earthquake area. Mr. Baird's inspection included the whole coast-lino from Cape Kidnappers to Wairoa. Mr. Baird noted all portions of tho coast and hills displaying slips, including small ones at the end of Cape Kidnappers to the largest near Waikare and small ones to beyond Wairoa. He asserts that tho largest one was a mile long, by half a mile broad, and it fell into the sea. It was similar to those at Murchison, which the observer also inspected. From that point the strength of the force of the movement gradually weakened until there were no visible signs of recent earth slides. Inland Mr. Baird found that the greatest force had been exerted near the Inner Harbour, and the Jand there had apparently been raised considerably. The great severity of the movement had failed considerably at Hakowhai, a small picnic spot ten miles west of Napier, and its force rapidly diminished as it spread to the country further inland. Mr. Baird stated that a further considerable lift had been caused in the hills to the west of the Inner Harbour. The country near Waikaka lagoon, on the coast a few miles north of Wairoa, appeared to have fallen, because water from the lagoon was running over grass land. Thero wero considerable signs of depression in that area.