HENEWED SEISMIC ACTIVITY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 June 1929, Page 7

HENEWED SEISMIC ACTIVITY.

Murchison Experiences Several Severe Jolts LANDSLIDES AND RUMBLINGS SUBSIDENCES ON RAILWAY NEAR GLENHOPJC. I , NELSON, Last Night. News from Murchison to-day is not reassuring. Last night’s ’quakes were very severe ' and were considered to he nearly as had as the hig shake on Monday last. The front of Hodgson’s store came out. Landslides and rumblings in the “hill 3 have continued during the past two days. More settlers from the Maruia and Matakitaki valleys were brought into Murchison to-day. An urgent request for a special train to convey 100 to 150 refugees from Kohatu to Nelson was received from Murchison and train arrangements were immediately got under way. Last night’s shocks, which were felt in Nelson with considerable severity, caused subsidences in the railway line four miles on the Nelson side of Glenhope and refugees will have to come on to Kohatu by motor to connect with the train. The Hon. J. G. Coates arrived at Nelson early this morning and left by car for Murchison in company with G. C, Black M.P. and is inspecting the neighbourhood to-day. He is expected to return to Nelson to-night.

Flames Rose as Sides of Hills Slid Away FRICTION OF THE ROCKS. UNAVAILING SEARCH FOR TWO MISSING PROSPECTORS WESTPORT, Last Night. ’Quake? continue, ten fairly heavy and numerous slighter ones occurring between noon and 7 p.m. This afternoon, water lorries paraded the town, providing water for the inhabitants, who got" busy with buckets and other receptacles. Captain Burrell flew to Karaniea with diphtheria scrum, as many cases of diphtheria are reported. He also took mails. A Corby Vale resident states that flames were flying, caused by friction, as huge blocks of land went sliding down the hillside. There is still no ovord of Mr. Russell and his sou, who, it is feared, have been buried in a landslide at Mokihir.ui, as horse tracks were traced pas* two slips up to a big slide and beyond that no tracks are soon. Search is also being made for Mr. W, Bean, who was T»ip on Tait’s farm ,1(5 miles above Seddonville. Two of tiie guides who led the party to the mountain top say they had a clear view of the country through lioid glasses stretching back to Murohison and the slopes were denuded of trees. Wireless * Operators Work Round Clock

GETTING THROUGH THE NEWS.. WESTPORT, Lust Night. Messrs Fahey ami Fowko, the wireless experts who arrived from Christchurch by aeroplane on Tuesday, have been working watch and watch right round the clock on s.s. Ivaitoke, most ■of the time being spent at sea and partly under cyclonic conditions. Within two hours of arriving, they had boarded Kaitoke in the roadstead rand established communication, which was maintained until Friday morning, Svhen the land lines were restored ana ■carrying traffic. Hundreds of messages were received from Awarua wireless ■station at Bluff and the Commercial Radio station, Wellington and transmitted ashore to Eartigi at the wharf and others were sent ashore by launch and tug. Since the closing down of the wireless' on Kaitoke on Friday, Messrs Fahey and Fowko, who have hj|d very little sleep, arc now assisting tirelessly in despatching a fid receiving telegrams on the land lines, their houses rattle and shake without getting out of beds. ’ . Last Monday's outward mail ym Nelson is still stranded between slips near LyelJ. Water cars were out again this morning but rain tell pretty heavily later and household--''supplies have rthus been well catered for, except ol .course for the sewerage system, which is not vet workable, owing to the high pressure water system not yet having been linked up. Earthquakes, like wars, have their humorists. One of the men working under the danger of farther falls from the Post Office has a notice outside his protected 'posic; "Topple Over Inn. Shakedowns only. Book early to avoid ihc rush."

Worst Shake Since Monday’s Visitation ON WEST COAST YESTERDAY. SERIOUS EFFECT OF 'QUAKE ON GROWING TREES. GREYMOUTH, Last Night. After the longest intermission since the earthquakes began last Monday, there was this morning a renewal in Oreymouth of severe shocks. The firs, was at 2.20 a.m. and 40-minutes later, it was followed by a shorter one, then at three o'clock, there came the most prolonged 'quake since the biggest shock, which it nearly equalled in duration, though its amplitude and violence were appreciably less, a fourth shock was recorded at 6.11 a.m., J as Ehg about 15 or 16 seconds. A further shook occurred at 11-40 a.m. The biggest 'quake to-day was succeeded by three well-defined tremors and before 9 a.m;, eight further tremors were felt , , The effect of the shocks, however has been nowise serious and chimneys siitfered little or no: further damage but the fact of the disturbance occurring at night was responsible for much alarm -among residents. Bushmen point out that extreme

swaying of the trees during the 'quakes will probably mean a general increase in what are known as “shakes” in timber hereafter, as the Jolts will create numerous cracks in the trunks, which become filled with resinous deposit. “Tin tops” are becoming the fashion with chimneys. There is now a need for quick replacements, obliging people to use metal instead of bricks in many cases. The relief fund locally now totals about £SOO, among the donations being £IOO each from the Grey Licensed Victuallers, the National Tobacco Co., Ashby Berg and Go.; £SO from John Burns and Co and two anonymous local citizens; £25 each from Bishop Brodie, of Christchurch, ami Commissioner Hay, of the Salvation Army and £lO 10s each from the Mayor (Mr. J. W. Grcenslade) and Messrs Boustridge and Hall. .im A committee has been set up of local body and Church representatives to allocate relief throughout the Grey county among necessitous cases. Damage to Roman Catholic properties will call for an expenditure of over £IOOO. The Town hall damage is more extensive than was at first thought, whilst the extent of the chimney destruction, upon closer examination, proves also to be in excess of what was first anticipated. It remains uncertain, after the latest shocks, whether the mines which last week were idled by the ’quakes, will resume to-morrow, as intended. The Blackball railway line was not. workable on Saturday morning, due to-sub-sidences, while lines elsewhere, though slightly affected, are workable. Ships in port are experiencing delay in securing bunker coal.

Manila Expected to Break Through Soon POSSIBLE EFPECT ON BULLER. POSTMASTERS REPORT GENERAL DISTURBANCES. WELLIINGTON, East Night. The General Post Cilice has received the following advices regarding the earthquake on Saturday from the Postmaster at Murchison: “It was reported at 5 p.m. that the Maruia river will cut through the slip in about three days’ time, and may cause the Newton Plat slip on the Buller river to give. The Matakitaki river is normal. “Refugees from Maruia (Paenga) have reached the Ariki schoolhousc, and should reach Murchison tomorrow. ” The Chief Postmaster at Westport reported at 8 p.m. that very few minor tremors had occurred ijl the last 24 hours. The Medical Officer of Health from Christchurch, has assumed control of utility services affecting public health. Difficulty is being experienced in locating breaks in the water mains to the reservoir. If repairs are not effected shortly, it is proposed to pump water by the harbour tug into the mains. It was raining on Saturday night and the weather was threatening From the Postmaster, Murchison, at 9.30 p.m. on Saturday: “The Matakitaki river is still running normally. I do not anticipate any immediate change. There is no change in the Maruia river. Minor ’quakes and detonations still continue at less regular intervals. Light rain has set in but I think it will clear by the morning. The main road to Nelson is still open. A pack track was opened to the Upper Matakitaki to-day, and the men are clearing the road to Putaki to-morrow. Everybody is well.” The Murchison Postmaster reported at 9.30* a.m. to-day: “Shocks and detonations continued throughout the night. Two very heavy ’quakes occurred at 3 a.m. and 5.50 a.m. The Matakitaki river dam is 'running slightly above normal, but there is no cause for alarm.”

From the Chief Postmaster, Westport: "After a very quiet day, somewhat sharp shocks occurred at 9 p.m. and 2.30 a.m., while at 3.5 a.m. the main one occurred. No further damage has been reported. Heavy showers fell throughout the night. Much water was collected from the down pipes and stored in a motley collection of utensils. Hospital patients are being removed to the wooden building to-day."

From the Postmaster, Takaka: "Severe shocks still continue. The most violent and of longest duration since Monday morning was experienced at 3.5 a.m., preceded by loud detonations in the vicinity of Cook Strait. Farewell Spit lighthouse reports that the light was extinguished by shakes at 3.5 a.m. and 6 a.m."

Two Further Violent ’Quakes at Westport CONTINUOUS MINOR TREMORS. RAIN REPLENISHES SUPPLIES OF WATER. WESTPORT, Last Night. Apart from two violent ’quakes, one at 3.5 a.m. and another at 6.11 a.m., with less violent shakos almost continuouslv, the day has been uneventful. Most of the people realise that wooden buildings arc safe against even the most violent of shocks and many let levin feelstwodistinct VIBRATIONS. AT THREE AND SIX A.M. Levin, in common with a great many other places, was subjected to two further earth tremors yesterday morning. The first, at 3.? a.m., was a series of jolts quite sufficient in intensity to shake most people from slumber. It lasted nearly a minute. The second occurred at 6.11 a.m. and was similar in effect, though shorter and more severe. It is not reported that any were disturbed enough to leave their beds. MOUNTAIN RANGE SPLITS AND FILLS UP VALLEY. RANGE 4000 FEET HIGH. EVERY MOTOR-CAR IN MURCHISON TURNS OVER. A graphic and interesting story of the Murchison disaster was related by

Mr. A. D. Baggs, the District Telegraph engineer, and Mr. W. M. B. Vcitch, who is to succeed him on his transfer to the Auckland district.

Mr. Baggs explained what had happened by stating that just below Murchison, which is situated near the left bank of the Buller river, the Matakitafci river joins.that stream about eight miles further south, the Maruia flows roughly parallel with the Matakitaki to also join the Buller. Between the Matakitaki and the Maruia there is a high mountainous ridge running up to a height of from 0000 to 4000 feet, ami tins ridge appears to have been the centre of the disturbance, for at the height of the big earthquake, in response to some terrific subterranean upheaval, it split in the centre and the northern half fell right across the Matakitaki valley, blocking it completely in at least three places, while the southern side fell across the Maruia valley, practically wiping it out of existence. Simultaneously the end of the ridge overlooking the Buller river fell into that stream, which it also blocked. The homes of Messrs. Gibson and Holden, which are engulfed in these landslides, were on the Maruia side, and those of Messrs. Busch and Morel wore on the Matakitaki side of the ridge.. Messrs. Baggs and Veitch stated that Mtuchison to-day beggars description, as there is not a single house left lit for occupation. It is safe to say that there is not a pane of glass left intact in the whole township. They saw wooden houses which had had the walls turned completely out, and others had boon split open. In almost every case verandahs had been wrenched apart from the main buildings. At the post office the chimney had been thrown right across the roof and jnto the street without the bricks touching the root. The, only brick building in place, an hotel, was a shapeless mass. During the big earthquake, every motor-car in the town was thrown on to its side, and in one case a cat was thrown completely upside down. People wore flung olf their feet by the force of the disturbance, and in some cases sustained minor injuries. At the Glenhope railway sheds a locomotive, left with the brakes on, was moved twelve feet.

Huge Cracks in Solid Foundations of Hock DANGER AT DENNISTON. FEARED PART OF TOWN WILL SLIP OVER CLIFF.

A Lyttelton Times reporter who was the first person from outside Westport to get through to Denniston mine since the big ’quake says the damage seen there exceeds anything else noticed in the vicinity of Westport. Huge cracks two and three feet wide have appeared in the solid rock on which the town stands'. At what is known as the brakehead a huge mass of rock has fallen down against the engine house, the whole cliff being held up by a brick chimney, which will probably come down in the first heavy rain. A few yards from the top of the incline a large slip has tilled the cutting with huge slabs of rock, and althouga the miners arc busy trying to clear it that job alone will probably take some weeks. A boardinghouse which stood on the solid rock was jolted off the piles and now is a complete wreck. Huge cracks have appeared in the rock under several houses, the main crack being three or four chains in length. The miners and their families arc frightened that if heavy rain gets into these cracks the whole of that portion of the town will slip over the cliff dropping a thousand foot into the valley below. A peculiar thing is that only in certain sections were brick chimneys broken. It is conjectured that the various formations of rock accounted for this.

Christchurch People Aroused from Sleep

NO DAMAGE IN CITY. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. Two shocks of earthquake, severe enough to awaken all but the heaviest sleepers, occurred shortly after three o’clock and six o’clock this morning. The shakes were the severest since the first big ’quake of Monday morning but no damage was done in the city. Wanganui Wilts Under Early Morning Shake WANGANUI, Last Night. Two shocks of earthquake were felt in Wanganui early to-day at 3 a.m. and 6.10 a.m., the second being heavier than the first though of shorter duration. Shocks and Sounds at Murchison Much Milder MATAKITAKI GETTING AWAY, WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Post and Telegraph department received the following message from the Postmaster at Murchison at 5 p.m. ” Minor shocks and detonations continue, though they are of a much milder character than last night. The rivers running slightly above normal, due to a heavy shower of rain this afternoon but arc clearing rapidly now. The Matakitaki river is reported to be getting away nicely now. Refugees from Manila valley, Matakitr.ki valley and Murchison are leaving here for Nelson this afternoon per car and special train.”

Engiands Admiration and Sympathy NEW ZEALAND’S FORTITUDE. Times Cable. Received Sunday 7.0 p.m. LONDON, June 22. The Times, in a reference to the New Zealand earthquake, says: “The menace of death, the destruction of property and the loss of years of work has been faced with characteristic fortitude. There have boon individual

acts of daring and heroism, quiet patience and nowhere a sign of panic. That this would be our kinsmen’s response to the disaster was taken for granted here, but it dot's not lessen our admiration ami sympathy.”