LAST NIGHT’S SHAKE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 80, 16 March 1934, Page 5

LAST NIGHT’S SHAKE

HEAVY IN WAIROA No Structural Damage TELEPHONES INTERRUPTED (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WAIROA, March 16. At 10.47 last night the Wairoa district suffered a heavy earthquake, which caused many to rush into the streets in nifiht attire; but no structural damage is reported. This demonstrates how the town has benefited from past»experiences and has erected buildings capable of withstanding a shock as severe as that of last night, which was placed by authorities as scale five on the Rossi Forel. The ’quake appeared to have its centre in the Whakapunakis. At the time of the disturbance the sky in that vicinity was brilliantly illuminated by a greenish blue tint, which immediately disappeared when the shake ceased. The earthquake was in a north-south direction and its cessation was accompanied by a heavy detonation as if a huge quantity of explosive had been set off. It is remarkable that despite the severity of the shake the shop displays were practically undisturbed and no loss is reported in this direction. The shake could be classed as the third heaviest since the 1931 visitation, and the earth kept on the move for a considerable period after the heaviest point had passed. The only service interrupted is that of the telephones, a number being put out of order due to wires breaking, but afie staff was out early this morning and hoped to have all iu order before to-night. Inquiries made as to how the new bridge stood the shake show that no damage whatever was sustained, the structure withstanding the shock remarkably well despite the severity of the visitation The town resumed its normal activity this morning, it being apparent that business people and residents are determined to overcome all such disturbances and carry on with the same indomitable spirit as they hare displayed on past occasions. FELT AT WANGANUI Slow, Steady Motion (By Telegraph—Press Association J WANGANUI, March 15. A slight earthquake was felt here at 10.43 o’clock to-night, ft was of a slow, steady motion and of longer duration than the others felt since the bigger shake on March 5. REPORTS FROM ELSEWHERE Slight Shock at Tauranga Tauranga: A slight shock of earthquake was felt last night at 10.50. No damage is reported. Masterton: Another shock of earthquake was felt last night at 10.50. NO DAMAGE IN HASTINGS Sleepers Awakened A sharp earthquake shock was experienced in Hastings at 10.46 o’clock last night, being sufficiently severe to awaken sleepers, but no damage other than the breaking of a few household effects took place. Mr H. de Denne reports that the shock was too much for his seismograph to record. He states that quite a number of minor tremors followed during the night. At the polo ball some alarm was felt, which, however, was quickly allayed. At the time an “extra” was being given, but the orchestra quickly jumped up and immediately started playing, setting the dancers at ease. Some anxiety was felt in districts near to Hastings when the electric light tailed, but in most cases this was restored in quick time. Slight losses in crockery are reported, but chimneys appear to have escaped damage. MINOR DAMAGE IN NAPIER Slip at Pandora Point A tour of inspection around the borough of Napier reveals comparatively little damage as a result of the earthquake last night. The main damage appeared to Dave been the loss of about £lOO worth of crystal ware in the window of Clausen’s, Ltd., Emerson street. The loss to the firm, however, will be only about £5O, as the goods were covered by earthquake insurance. McKenzie’s, Ltd., Hastings street, lost about £2O worth of crockery and sweets. An assortment of sweets became mixed with broken glass and had to be thrown away. Near Pandora Point, Hyderabad road, a quantity of spoil from the cliff slipped down on to the road, covering half its width. Seven borough workmen got busy on the job early this morning. A slip in that vicinity was to have been expected, as the cliff face was loose. An examination is to bo made this afternoon and further portions of the cliff face removed so as to prevent future slips. riiei'e are two instances of windowglass being broken Punstall’s, Ltd.. Hastings street, lost five panes of glass in addition to having a chimney cracked and hot water service in the ceiling dislodged. A sweets shop in Pickens street, next to the Gaiety Theatre, also had its window-glass broken. Cracked chimneys, broken china-ware and other damage of a minor nature are

reported in various parts of tha borough. In Napier South chimneys id various streets were cracked arid twisted, but no serious damage ig reported. It is probable that the damage in the whole of the borough will not exceed £5OO. SEISMOLOGICAL SURVEY. The opinion of Professor Bartrum of the Auckland University College that further seismological surveys throughout the Domuiion might profitably be made wag considered by Mr W. EBarnard, M.P., this morning to bo an excellent idea. Mr Barnard thought that the people of New Zealand would be reassured and given more peace of mind if some evidence could be procured regarding the possibilities of future earthquakes. “It is evident to me,” he said, “that from the scientific point of view much more might be done to inform the public as to what tq expect in the future. J myself am of the opinion that the earthquakes we have been having are the last of a cycle which began some five year s ago with the Murchison earthquake. “1 honestly believe that the public has no cause for alarm and that before long this cycle will be over and the country will be totally void of. earthquakes for many, many years. Earthquakes usually come in cycles, and New Zealand, I think, is reaching the final stages of this one.” SLIP IN MATAHOURA. GORGE. A service driver who arrived in Napier from Wairoa this morning reports that there i s a big slip in the Matahoura Gorge some four or five miles on the Napier side of Waikare. Traffic on the road had to make a detour, Using the railway viaduct. In other parts of the road there were one or two cracks but not of a serious nature.