[BY TELEGRAPH.] [PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 126, 29 June 1881, Page 3

[BY TELEGRAPH.] [PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. ]

WELLINGTON, Last Ni R ht. A most severe shock of earthquake was felt here at 5.22 o'clock on Sunday morning. The direction was from East to West, and the vibration continued for come time, a smaller shock being experienced about 6.80 a.m. The shock created the greatest excitement in town, and all the brick buildings in the city have been examined, but no perceptible damage to any has occurred. In Wellington one or two chimneys were thrown down. The Government offices also suffered, large pieces of plaster having fallen, and in one office the mantel-piece was carried away. The ceilings of the new Police Station were also cracked, and in the upper story several large pieces of plaster fell. It is known that in several of the mercantile stores damage has occurred, but as all the principal places of business are closed to-day, it is not yet known to what extent injury has been done. A later telegram states that no serious damage is reported from the earthquake, although, in the large warehouses, some light glassware has suffered. The shock was felt at Otaki at 5.25, but no damage was done. At the Lower Hutt, four chimneys in Mr. Biddiford's house were knocked down. PALMEBSTON N., Last Night. A terrible shock of earthquake was experienced here on Sunday morning, at 5.25? which was followed by five or six ' slight shocks. A considerable amount of damage was done. Nine ckiinneys out ,■ of every ten have been carried away, and several windows have been broken. Great excitement prevailed in the town, and large parties visited the ruins. The » Maoris were also greatly excited. fr NEW PLYMOUTH, Last Night. A smart shook of earthquake, lasting

about half a minute, was lelt on Sunday morning) at 516 o'clock. Three clocks ■were knocked off a shelf and broken in Mr. Drew's shon, by the earthquake. Ho other cUmagt is reported.