THE RING OF HAMMERS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 69, 19 September 1932, Page 9

THE RING OF HAMMERS

REPAIRS AT GISBORNE

(By Telegrapn.—Press Association.)

GIBBOKNE, 18th September.

On Saturday afternoon rain fell at frequent intervals, and before early evening had developed • into a continuous drizzle. Hundreds of families as a consequence faced a cheerless weekend, for chimneys are down in all diree-. tions, and a warning had been given that in ease of fixe due to a damaged

chimney the insurance policy would not apply. . Therefore it was considered better to take no risks.

Numerous shakes occurred on Saturday, two being heavier than usual. On both occasions customers and shop assistants rushed from the shops into the middle of the road.

The structural damage is found to be more . serious than at first anticipated. The chief post office is now surrounded by ropes and timber to prevent approach. A gang of men to-day began to remove the badly cracked parapet over the back entrance.

The Native Land Court building in Palmerston road has also been barricaded off, being considered unsafe.

The continuous shakes are also gradually weakening buildings which formerly were considered only slightly damaged. One badly damaged twostory business , premises in Derby street, containing three shops, flats, studios, etc., was inspected this afternoon by a competent engineer, who stated that the shake at 10.45 this morning had shifted the whole building one inch further out of plumb. . CHURCH SERVICES, The church services to-day were rather more largely attended than usual, -and 'references were made in practically all churches to1 the earthquake. A note of thanksgiving waa emphasised that no, lives had been lost. _ Owing to structural damage, no service was held in Holy Trinity Church, the usual services being held in the Parish Hall, a wooden building in the grounds of the church. The Salvation Army Citadel also was not used, the services' being held in a smaller hall at the backof |the citadel. ■ ; After an examination of. the education _ buildings by an architect this morning, a special meeting of the Gisborne Main School Committee was held and it was decided that the upper story of the main school a large structure built in brick, should not be used in- the meantime. The children will be removed to the wooden technical school and the infants' wooden school in the same grounds. To-day was a perfect spring day, and scores of householders took advantage of .the weather to remove cracked chimneys, sounds of hammering on brick and plaster being hea-.i in all directions, particularly in the suburbs.