“SHOOTING” EARTHQUAKES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 444, 8 July 1922, Page 2

“SHOOTING” EARTHQUAKES.

A PANIC-STRICKEN. COLONY

SIR GEORGE HUNTER’S ANECDOTES

Sir Oeo'rge Ihtnier, at a gathering of the Early ifettlefe: Association, Wellington, iold a'few reminiscences connected with liis pionetjjj!.days: in the Dominion.' lie recalled 'Ufe vVcjVy' serious lire at Wbllingtcn in Mat,-Ts42; .ami ,of the panic into which it threw- die..entire community.

At the 'ueiil City Cbimcil meeting after that lire, .said’Sir George, .Sir William (then plain All') Filzhcrbei'l moved a resolution that it should be unlawful for any per soil in Wellington to light a fire or candle at any lime, after sundown,Needless to ;| state, said Sir George, amid considerable 4 , laughter, that resolution was not- adopted., Earthquakes, also, recalled Sir Goorgej were a great worry to the early settlors, who could not understand them, and could not seem to got used to them. When tiny first earthquake occurred, they thought the Maoris were up to come deviltry, and they all ran out and discharged their firearms, The only occasion, smilingly remarked Sir George, when firearms were ever considered an antidote for earthquakes. Some of the early settlers, continued Sir George, were so very badly soared by these earthquakes Rial they decided to leave the country. They chartered a small vessel, but that- vessel was wrecked at Pencarrow Heads, so they all came back again “broke,” and became subsequently some of (ho most successful settlers New Zealum] had ever had.—N.Z. Times.