Forty-Three Shocks

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XV, Issue 125, 2 May 1925, Page 5

Forty-Three Shocks

Earthquakes in South Island DAMAGE ABOUT CLARENCE RIVER. RESIDENTS’ UNEASY NIGHT. (Per Press Association.) Blenheim, May 2. Round about Kaikoura and in the vicinity of the Clarence river bridge tho residents had an uneasy night on Thursday during a series of earthquake shocks which were more severe viiero than in the Blenheim district. It is said that 43 shocks were counted on Thursday night, the worst one occurring at 11.30. The shakes were felt at intervals also throughout yesterday, and two shocks last night. Reports from the Clarence state that chimneys came down in all directions. The opinion of residents is that the disturbance is centred in the ocean off the coast.

A mile south of tho Clarence a crack opened along the coast road, and the land on the seaward side of the crack appears to have subsided. The telephones around the Clarence bridge are out of order. RESIDENTS CAMPING OUT. Christchurch, May 2. Kaikoura messages state that an earthquake last evening shook down chimneys at several residences, while near Clarence bridge trees were uprooted and cracks formed in the road from two to eight inches wide. Slips caused a blockage of traffic on the Puhi Puhi road. Telephone communication with Christchurch was interrupted. At Keherangti, half way between Kaikoura and Blenheim, tremors have been experienced ail day, 47 being recorded up till a very late hour to-night and residents are camping out in the open. At Woodbank station the family of the owner are bivouacked in the drive, the persistent tremors having forced them to the conclusion that it is a safer spot than the house.