SUBSIDENCE OF EARTH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 August 1926, Page 9

SUBSIDENCE OF EARTH.

IN BRICK-FILLED WELL

PECULIAR HAPPENING

A peculiar instance of an earth subsidence was reported: tills morning by Mr F„ IT. Trim, of 34 Disraeli Street, Hawera. It appears that a number of years ago, a deep well, situated at the rear of his house, was completely filled with bricks and mortar from a building which had been pulled down. As was only natural, the weight of the bricks caused a gradual continual sinking, and from time to time 3lr Trim found it necessary to fill in the depression which formed in his lawn. This 'morning, however, he was astonished to find that instead of a slight depression. which had for some time been forming, a large gaping hole yawned in his back lawn. The hole had the appearance- of a well, the, sides being straight- and obviously: cut, as the old well was. and to some five feet within ground level was filled with muddy water.

An examination of tlie subsidence was made this morning by a representative of the Star, .and it was found that there was four feet- of water in the hole, the, bottom being soft ami muddy.

It has been suggested that the slight earthquake experienced last evening was responsible, for the subsidence, and while this is probable it is not thought that tlie subsidence of bricks and mortar oc.ctirredi last- evening, but that, with the passage of time, this heavier deposit might, have sank considerably below tlie; accumulation of earth, leaving an underground cavity, and the shock last- evening, slight though it was, was sufficient., to precipitate, tlie top’covering. It is noteworthy that 3tv Trim’s- two sons were playing about the; lawn: in. the early evening, and it is indeed fortunate that the subsidence did not occur at that- time. The surrounding earth did not appear to be solid; this morning ,nnd any shock near the edge, of the bole, caused bystamping, was followed by a, further slight fall. Mr Trim does not- now propose to refill with bricks' and mortar, but lias placed an order for the spot to he concreted.