Tiles Crack, Lift In Chch. Cathedral
CHRISTCHURCH, Mon. (Sp.)—Badly cracked floor tiles, many of which had lifted during the night, were discovered in the main aisle of the Christchurch Cathedral on Sunday morning. The affected area formed an L shape on the pulpit side of the aisle, each arm being about 12ft long and 3ft wide.
The chairman of the Precincts Committee (Mr Charles Bean) said the same thing had occurred about six times previously, the last being about three years ago. No one had been able to give the committee a satisfactory explanation of the trouble, although the precentor of the cathedral (the Rev. W. A. Orange) said he thought there had been some underground disturbance. EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE Damage is estimated at about £SO, and the only remedy is to relay the tiles. An earthquake in 1888 shook do wn about 30ft of the 215 ft high stone spire. Not long after the building was completed the Cheviot earthquake caused fresh damage io the spire. The diocesan authorities then decided to dismantle the upper half and replace the stonework with a wooden structure sheathed in thick copper. The total height was slightly reduced in order to give greater strength, and this arrangement has withstood all subsequent earthquakes.
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Northern Advocate, 12 January 1948, Page 2
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208Tiles Crack, Lift In Chch. Cathedral Northern Advocate, 12 January 1948, Page 2
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