A SENSATIONAL OCCURRENCE

Feilding Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 244, 16 May 1906, Page 2

A SENSATIONAL OCCURRENCE

> Subsidence of a Hill. Houses and Ground Cracked in All Directions. Telegraph Press Association Copyright. Received May 16, 9.10 am. Sydney, This Day. A sensational subsidence occurred at Newcastle last night at Shepherd's Hill which forms one of the most favored residential sites, and occupies a position . adjacent to the under' ground workings of the eeapit. It ia surmised that a oreep had taken place m some portions of the workings, causing the surface to be ring-buckled. About 800 aores suffered. A terrace and street were considerably affected by the subsidence. The bouses are mostly brick, and every one of them is more or less damaged, while the water and gas mains were twisted and broken. The residents of the hill felt the earth trembling, the effect being most severe., about half way up Terrace Street. The -walls of the houses were thrown out of plumb. The lawns and back yards were lined with crevices, The residents quickly evacuated their homes, many seeking refuge with relatives or in houses in the City, The masonry in the forts cracked in places and much injury was done to the gun mounting*. > Viewed from any point it seemed as if the whole bill hadjtost its foundations and subsided fora couple of inches. A "rupture in the water mains drained a high pressure tank containing several thousand gallons on the apex of the hill. The water did notcome to the surface, but found its way under ground. A further subsidence is feared. Newcastle, This [Day. The water is escaping fast from the main reservoir at Newcastle. Gangs of men are endeavoring to stop the overflow. ; • . .