HAWKE’S BAY EARTHQUAKE.

Matamata Record, Volume XIV, Issue 1193, 5 February 1931, Page 5

HAWKE’S BAY EARTHQUAKE.

FELT SLIGHTLY HERE. No Damage Reported. Relief Fund Opened.

Minor earth tremors were felt at Putaruru, Matamata and Morrinsville on Tuesday morning at the time of the earthquake which brought disaster to Hawke’s Bay towns. Judging from reports from other parts of the Auckland province it appears that the earthquake was not felt as severely in the district from Morrinsville to Putaruru as in other localities, nnd no damage has been reported. The earthquake was felt in Mata-, mata on Tuesday morning at about 10 minutes to 11 o’clock. There was no preliminary warning or shock, and the first tremor, which lasted about a minute and a quarter, was of a gentle kind which became more pronounced after 10 or 15 seconds. Beyond the gentle swaying of electric lights and some doors there was little further evidence, and some people who were walking about did not know a shock had occurred. On the other hand, several people who happened to be sittir% in offices dr leaning on counters felt ill when the first tremor occurred, and a number went outside expecting to be sick, until they realised what was happening.

The second noticeable shock occurred about a minute or two after the first, and though not quite so

. pronounced it was slightly longer / 'but was only noticeable to those who were intent on noting anything likely to be moved by the tremor. At Putaruru two earthquake shocks, similar in motion to those felt at the time of the South Island earthquake in 1929, were felt, and electric light globes continued to swing for some time after the last shock. A report from Arapuni describes the tremors At Morrinsville the shocks were so slight that many people were not aware of them. It was shortly after 1.30 p.m. that information was received through the post .office 'that damage had been done, the first news being that Opotiki had suffered severely. Shortly afterwards other news filtered through the same source until it gradually dawned on the town that a national disaster had occurred, immediately every effort was made to get into touch with the stricken areas by friends and relatives of those living there, but no eommuni,c§ttion could be established. At night every wireless set in the town was surrounded by a subdued coterie eager for news, which came through piecemeal all night long. Great sympathy is felt throughout the town and district for the stricken inhabitants, and many offers of help have been forthcoming.

On Wednesday morning a party consisting of Sergeant Adams and Privates Reed, Swmbourn and W. and H. Settle, of the Matamata branch of the St. John Ambulance Association, set out by car for the V "Hawke’s Bay district to ; assist in rer Hef W ork and succouring the injured. It is understood that, Dr. Laurenson, of Matamata, and Dr. Lawrence, of Te Aroha, offered their services early on Tuesday. Relief fund lists are now open at the Record office, the Town Board office and elsewhere.