BROUGHT UP BY ’QUAKE

Hawera Star, Volume L, 18 February 1931, Page 5

BROUGHT UP BY ’QUAKE

WEIRD SIGHTS AT GISBORNE GEYSERS ON THE FORESHORE SUBMARINE FOREST RISES. (By Telegraph—fresa Association..; GISBORNE, Feb. 17. Half-way between Taumotu Island and Pah Mill, about a mile and a-hali on tlie eastern side of Gisborne bar hour, the raising of the foreshore by eight to 10 feet, dozens of small geysers with water that tastes fresh Put is vomiting inflammable gas, and the upheaval of a submarine forest, were revealed tins morning as a result of tlie big earthquake on Tuesday week winch rocked Gisborne, fortunately without any lives being lost. ►■soundings in the harbour itself and in tlie roadstead show no change. The locality alfected is close to an inlet known as feponge Bay, where most remarkable changes have occurred. For a distance of about two miles the foreshore has risen up between eight and 10 feet. Half-way out to the i s)i an a is a reef that was ioimerly covered at low water, it is now visible at high tide. At the southwest end of this reef is a large pool about 50 yards by 20 yards, or dirty, milky-coloured water which, at low tide is one mass of small geysers and springs front which gas is issuing. A match applied to this gas instantly ignites it. Strange to say, the water when tasted ts hard to distinguish from rresih water.

All round the reef is, fearsome-looking mud and stone combined with, seaweed and papa, the whole bearing the appearance of having been squeezed up Horn iai; underground. Low tide uncovers a large number of stumps of trees which appear to have been cut oh or broken oh when far under the sea.. Some of the stumps in tins uncanny forest are four or hve leet high, and are embedded in black, sticky, messy mud. strangely enpugn, campers along Kaiti Beach between Sponge Bay ana Gisborne hardly felt the big eartnquake. Dr. Henderson, Director of Geological survey, reports there is no apparent uplift at Wairoa. A great slip one mile 'south of Mohaka lifted the sea lioor locally 70 feet.

REPATRIATION POSITION. RAILWAY TICKETS RESTRICTED. HASTINGS, Feb. 17. in connection with the general repatriation to the devastated area the Bastings authorities state that permits to return through the police pickets and other permits now in existence do not entitle a refugee to a free railway journey back. The railway will accept oniiy special permits issued for the purpose.

QUIET NIGHT AT NAPIER.

NO' SIGN. OF EPIDEMIC.

NAPIEIR, Feb. 17. Last night in Napier was fairly quiet, with only occasional shocks. One was of fair strength, about 10 a.m. Today was fine and sunny, and the sea was calm, with little wind. There is still no sign of an epidemic and the Health Department is doing wonderful work in the inspection, of premises and in connecting up the sewerage system, which is likely to he a lengthy business. Precautions are still being taken by boiling all water for ur miring purposes. 'i'he Rearing up of all the areas is proceeding apace, and already a considerable space on the Hyderabad and Taradale Road comer has been filled up with spoil from the devastated area, unloaded from lorries.

The “Daily Telegraph” re-oommenoed publication on Saturday with a fourpage sheet. It is now publishing daily in temporary quarters at the Vulcan Foundry.

DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS

NAPIER CITIZENS CONFER.

NAPIER', Feb. 17

A meeting called by Mr. C. O. Morse (chairman of the Citizens’ Committee) for the purpose of discussing demolition and clearing work and the proposed rebuilding of Napier was very iargely attended. The chairman said it was desirable that citizens should come to an agreement regarding the demolition of buildings and also agree to clean up all the debris comprehensively. It was not fair to expect the Public Works Department to undertake the job. The committee wanted those present'to make arrangements in respect of mortgages and other restrictions as soon ”as possible so that the work of demolition might be attacked comprehensively. It was decided that the Government be requested to carry out the clearing of the devastated area and charge it to individual property owners, the Government to take up the question of payment later. A resolution was also passed leaving in the hands of thp Relief Control Committee for immediate action the matter of choosing a suitable site for the erection of temporary tin premises to house the retail shopping centre. The weather to-night is fine. Occasional earthquakes are experienced, hut none of any alarming magnitude.

PROGRESS OF INJURED

ADMISSIONS AND DISCHARGES

PALMERSTON N., Fob. 17. , No further cases from the earthquake area were admitted to the Palmerston North Hospital yesterday. The following were discharged: Archibald McGregor, 22 A igor Brown Strete, Napier. Laurie Murphy, 177 Waghorn Street, 'Napier. The following were omitted from previous hospital lists: Jack McConnell, child, admitted on February 9 from the Showgrounds 'Camp. Courtenay Wilson. child, transferred from Napier Hospital. The following were admitted to the 'Masterton Hospital and their condition is satisfactory: Mrs Marv Tait. Twyford, Hastings. Mrs Nora O’Neill, 81 Churchill Street, Hastings. Harold Marqnand, 310 Queen Street, Hastings. . Alexander Clark, Aratak: Road, Havelock North. Raymond Leslie Kilford, Takapau. Mrs Theresa Cambridge. 512 Burnett Street, Hastings. _ Mrs Margaret McKenzie, 905 Willow Parle Read, Hastings. TREMORS ~AT~HASTINGS SUDDEN BUMP YESTERDAY. HASTINGS, Feb. 17. Hastings has felt two or three minor tremors during the last 24 hours, including a swift and sudden hump at 12.55 p.m. to-day.