MORE QUAKES

Grey River Argus, 20 September 1932, Page 5

MORE QUAKES

INCREDIBLE EFFECTS IN WAIROA DISTRICT SOME PLACES ESCAPE. (Per Press Association). WAIROA, September 19. There were two major shocks felt here to-day. One was at eleven in the morning, and the other at four in the afternoon. They caused no concern. 'lh e district experienced a fairly quiet night, only two heavy jolts being experienced, at about five ibid .-even this morning. Numerous minor tremors occurred, none sufficient to cause concern. The weather is now fine and warm, making conditions a little more pleasant than i reviotisly. The town schools re-opened this morning. A temporary building has been arranged at North Clyde, tn avoid the necessity for children using the punt which still remains a twenty-four hour service. The gen erous oiler was accepted for Richard-;

on ’s Shipping Coy. to mak P no freight ha.rge for materials for earthquake re-

pairs, or relief purposes. Gangs are out in all parts of the borough, on restoration work. Good progress is being made with the restoration of the water service. The end of the jweek should see a temporary scheme in operation. Business was back to normal to-day and a large number of shoppers were observed.

No statement is yet made regarding what will b P done about the new bridge. Repair work at the hospital is proceeding apace. Large gangs are busily engaged. No reliable estimate can be made till th e experts report on the business premises.

The sudden death occurred on the punt early this morning of an elderly man, Jose; h Brodie, married, with a large family. He was employed on relief work'.

Reliable reports now being received show that the quake veered in its disastrous course in a remarkable manner. It practically missed Alahia, only a chimney being cracked there. Ar Opoutama the damage also was slight. Then coming back to the mainland, the quake caught Nuhaka, Whakaki and Tuhara, which all suffered severely. At the last-named place the schoolmaster’s residence was thrown off the piles and then turned completely over. The nearby residences suffered heavy damage. The railway line from Wairoa to Whakaki was badly buckled in numerous places. The displacement ceases at the latter place, Whakaki. and yet, strange to relate, this is the closest part of the district to what is termed to have been the centre of the disturbance. At Mangapoikie, the road is covered with landslides over its continuous length. At Puketoi a residence has completely disappeared. Not a chimney or a tank is to be seen at any of the house properties at Mangapoikie and Tukemokihi. There are numerous landslides there. The road is shattered in all directions.

The country nearer Wairoa shows that tremendous damage was sustained at Alarumaru and Opouiti. At the last-named place, two young men had a miraculous escape from death. A roof collapsed completely, coming to rest on the heads of each of their beds. Had they been out of bed, they would have stopped the full weight of the falling ceiling. The farms in the Alarumaru locality give the impression that they are now ready for the planting of crops, the soil having been broken up that finely. The grass growth has disappeared. In the Ruakituri Valley the road is completely blocked by boulders of immense size, which have fallen from the nearby hills. It will take at least a month before the road there is again open for traffic. Further investigations in Wairoa show Goodley Hale (tailors), Hannam’s (stationers), and Grout’s (novelty shop) have suffered a big loss. At the first-named place the parapet adjoining the building collapsed, completely demolishing the plant. Had the quake occurred in the daytime it is certain that fatalities would have resulted.

The work in the restoration of the various public services is being rapidly carried out. The health services are now good. An ample supply of chlorinated water is now available, it being pumped from wells. The health officer reports there is no danger of an outbreak of disease. MR COATES’S SYMPATHY. WELLINGTON September 19. Th? following telegram has been sent to the Alayor of Wairoa, Mr H. L. Harker, by Right Hon .Air Coates: — “O n my return, T learned, for the first time of the extent and violence of the r' cent earthquake. Coming, as it has, on top of the 1931 disaster, and before the country has emerged from the general depression, this is a severe test of fortitude and a call to the sympathy of all- Alay I join in expressing my own personal sympathy to those who have suffered injury and loss'?”