FURTHER ’QUAKES FELT AT ARTHUR’S PASS YESTERDAY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6857, 12 March 1929, Page 7

FURTHER ’QUAKES FELT AT ARTHUR’S PASS YESTERDAY

Dislodged Rocks a Danger

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL CHAMBER DAMAGED

HISTORIC CHRISTCHURCH EDIFICE Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. Earth tremors still occurred at Arthur’s Pass during to-day, with a heavier shock at 3.55 this afternoon, though it was not comparable with the severity of the shock of Saturday night. There is still danger of dislodged rocks and boulders rolling down the hillsides. The shake in Christchurch cvn Saturday was not severe. Mr. H. F. Skey, director of the magnetic observatory, declares tbc earth movement did not exceed one millimetre. The only building damaged in Christchurch was the historic provincial council chamber, a stono structure of fine architecture dating from tho time of Provincial government in New Zealand. Tho key stone of the big doorway arch dropped an inch, which moans that the side walls were pushed out and cracks have appeared in tho wall inside the gallery, while a stained window has been displaced. When the building was opened this morning, the floor was litered with rubble and dust which had fallen from the roof. It is suggested that a committee of experts should jbe set up immediately to report on the extent of the damage. Tho nature of the earthquake, according to geologists, suggests it was due to a geological fault or subsidence in tho region of Arthur’s Pass and a movement in the Southern Alos. Earthquake maps do not class the Alps as within the seismic areas but it is held they certainly should bo, because there have been disturbances at points along the entire length of the chain.

Extent of Damage is Smaller Than Expected

AIL WOMEN LEAVE PASS. ‘ CHRISTCHURCH, March 11. Ono hundred and forty distinct shocks were felt at Arthur's Pass on Saturday night. The actual damago to the buildings seems to bave been smaller than tho violenco of tho earthquake threatened, mainly becauso all tho houses of the settlement are built of timber, but many were badly wrenched and not a brick chimney was left standing. The comparatively slight damage to tho buildings is more astonishing in view of the fact that the bridges have been thrown out of line, and half a milo of railway track has beon rendered useless by subsidences. Even the posts carrying the automatic signals have been thrown down. In the railway yard the lines in several places were left in zig-zag course. The tissues extend down one side of the main line for two miles. The relief train yesterday morning brought away a large percentage of the residents. About twonty women stayed at the Pass. They decided not to leave their husbands. However, the tremors continued, and a particularly sharp shock at about 2.15 n.m. resulted in the men asking the department for another special train to take the remainder of the women away rather than have them spend another fearful night at tho Pass. A second lot of refugees travelled by train to Springfield, and will como on by motor bus to Christchurch. There are no women at Arthur’s Pass now, though tho railway staff is still thore. A big gang is repairing the lines.

Faults in'{ho Mountains

SHAKES NOT UNCOMMON IN UPPER RAKAIA REGION.

CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. Tho Otira tunnel was not damaged in the slightest by the earthquake. The full train servise has been restored. Earthquakes of a minor sort are not uncommon at Arthur’s Pass. Professor R. Speight said that tho region of the Southern Alps was well known to bo subject to earthquakes, which wercrecorded fairly frequently at Arthur’s Pass, in the Upper Rakaia region, and, indeed, right down the lino of mountains as far as Te Anau. These shocks were not big enough to affect Christchurch, and consequently passed unnoticed. Professor Speight explained that although people in general supposed tho Alps to bo in a state of quiescence, geologically speaking, that was not -their actual condition. Like every mountain fold, they involved faulting, with consequent stresses. ALARM AT HOKITIKA. HOKITIKA, Last Night. The heaviest earthquake experienced in forty years occurred at 10.50 on Saturday night. It lasted fully half a minute. Several other lighter shocks occurred during the night and on Sunday. No damage has been reported locally, but considerable alarm caused.