AN UNEASY NIGHT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 13 November 1926, Page 9

AN UNEASY NIGHT

EARTHQUAKES AT MORRINSVILLE i SOME DAMAGE DONE. HY TKMtGRAffI PRESS ASSOCIATION 1 AUCKLAND, Nov. 13. The Auckland Star’s Morrinsville correspondent says: Residents spent an uneasy night. There were earth quake tremors all night and up to t> this morning. Many people are planning to desert the town if the shalo continue. Many people did not go bed and many more slept or tried to sleep fully clothed. When a ’quake oe curred at 6.40 p.m., the people ruslu out of the houses. Some women faint ed. On re-entering their houses, many people found the floors strewn with wreckage of broken bottles, clocks, pictures, etc. In- some houses the plaster had come from the ceiling a' walls. Mrs. Sarich was struck on th, head by a brick and other people sus tained minor injuries. Several brick buildings show distinct cracks, and one wall of the Morrinsville Joinery Company’s store had to be supported to prevent its collapse. In many shops practically thrown from the shelves. Mr B. J. Sarich, a grocer, estimates his. loss at £IOO. Another grocer suffered nearly as badly. There have been twenty shocks since 9 a.m. yesterday. NO RECORDS RECEIVED. WELLINGTON, Nov. 13. Dr. Adams, Government seismologist, said to-day that no records had yet been received by the Dominion observatory of the earthquakes at Morrinsville. Until they were, it was premature to comment on the severity of the shock. He cordially agreed that the most widespread distribution of seismological instruments, as suggested by MrFord at Auckland, was desirable in the Auckland district. The farther north one went, the fewer the earthquake centres. Very few earthquakes had been recorded as having Morrinsville as a centre. EARTHQUAKES AT HAMILTON. INCIDENTS AT MORRINSVILLE. HAMILTON, Nov. 13. Two further shakes were felt at Hamilton last evening. Although the latter was somewhat severe, no damage was done. Widespread damage was done at Morrinsville yesterday, but the surrounding districts suffered less severely. It was the severest earthquake in memory. The number of shocks was unprecedented. The roof of the infant school was damaged, rendering the building unsafe for occupation. A barber and his customer ran into the street, one with the razor in his hand and the other with his face lathered and towel round his neck.

NUMBER OF SHOCKS DECREASING. AUCKLAND, Nov. 13. The latest message front the Star \s special correspondent states that business, which was completely disorganised at Morrinsville yesterday, is now returning to normal. No shocks have been felt since B.4o.this morning. Ho also notices that they had been decreasing in severity, there being five hours’ intervals in the early morning without tremors.