RECORD OF ’QUAKES

Hawera Star, Volume L, 4 March 1931, Page 6

RECORD OF ’QUAKES

TALLY BY SEISMOGRAPHS DAILY SHOCKS OF THE MONTH HAWKE’S BAY AND ELSEWHERE. (By Telegraph —Pres 3 Association.) WELLINGTON, March 3. Further details of the seismograph records of SSB earthquake shocks from February 3 to the end of the month show that, following the 151 during the first 24 hours, the next nine days totals were 55, 50, 20, 23, 22, 12, 17, 9 and 7, bringing the date to Friday, February 13, when the second shock occurred. This Was in the middle of the day and was felt quite strongly in Wellington. Fresh after-shocks followed tire new disturbance, and the day’s total, which had been falling steadily since February" 3, jumped up again to 83.

Subsequently daily totals to the end of the month were 21, 19, 20, 8,9, 5, 10, 7, S, 4, 10, 5,1, and 3. These numbers refer only to shocks originating from the Hawke’s Bay district, and are independent of a number of shocks of local origin which occurred toward the end of the month.

The latter began on Wednesday, February 25, at 11 a.m., and a, number of shocks originating compai*?i,tiv'ely close to Wellington were recorded. Two of these were felt in the city. It is hoped that the origins will he tracked clown by means of records made at New Plymouth. Another local shock was felt on the next day, and its origin has. been located in the Wairarapa. Another shock was felt here at 6.49 a.m. on February 27, and it- was well recorded at Kelli urn. In conjunction, with records made on t-hei instrument at Takaka. the origin of this shock has been located on the West Coast of the South Island, a little south of Lyoll. The earthquake was fairly severe at Murchison, and did some damage. With regard to the Hawke’s Bay earthquake on February 13, as com-' pared with the first big shock on February' 3, the official preliminary' report of the Dominion Observatory for February. draws attention to a difference between the two. “The Jagger shock recorder at Hastings,’’ says, the report, “showed a. marked increase in the distance of epi-centres of after-shocks compared with the after-shocks of the earthquake of February 3. This may indicate that the origin of tlie present. shock was at greater distance than that of February 3, a fact also borne out by its more widespread effects.”

RE-BUILDING PROPOSALS DEPUTATION FROM TR ADES WELLINGTON, March 3. A suggestion that the Government should carry out the rehabilitation of Napier, Hastings and other towns in the earthquake area, under the co-oper-ative system of labour, so doing away with profits for middlemen, was made to the Hon. R. Masters to-day by a deputation representing the allied building trades.

Mr Masters said that the Government was at present considering the whole question of rehabilitation. The Premier was determined to ;be as generous as possible to the people affected, ancl the Government would shortly announce its intentions in connection with raising a. loan, and so on. Many: suggestions had been made as to the'best method of carrying but rehabilitation, and the deputation's representations would he carefully considered when the final plan c*f action was being decided l .

HITCH IN FINANCE. RESTORATION OF STOPBANKS HASTINGS, March 3. A. .hitch has occurred at Napier in financing the R.iv'ersi Boards efforts for restoration of stoplbanks damaged by the earthquake. The Hon. R.. Masters, when in Napier recently, gave approval for the immediate payment of £2(>()0 and the Premier bad promised a Government grant c,f £IO,OOO for the work, which is considered of paramount importance. The position now is that the Premier has advised the board that the financing question is in abeyance pending the report of the Treasury official who examined the board’s affairs. In the meantime £3OOO is required next Sat-' nrelay to pay a fortnight’s wages to the men engaged. A meeting of local bodies will he held; to-morrow to discuss the means of continuing a work which is necessary for the safety of the district.

FOUR HUNDRED OUT OF WORK. STRANGERS NOT WANTED. NAPIER, March 4. The weather has taken a decidedly cold turn which makes living conditions without fires in or out of doors unpleasant. Yesterday’s rain fortunately stopped early, J>ut the conditions ruling are not promising and heavy rain will cause considerable discomfort.

Ninety-eight teams and scoups arc working on the river bank which was thrown down by the ’quake. All branches of the Post Office are being accommodated in the Hastings Street School although temporary premises are being rushed up. Four hundred men are re»ported unemployed, the employers in some cases dismissing outsiders in favour of Napier men. Consequently strangers are ill advised to come in. The repairs of houses, sewers, etc., is proving a greater task than ivas anticipated. Many roofs are still showing gaping holes.