THE EARTHQUAKE PHENOMENA IN WESTLAND.

North Otago Times, Volume XI, Issue 344, 8 September 1868, Page 3

THE EARTHQUAKE PHENOMENA IN WESTLAND.

Tho Westporfc "Evening Star" reports as follows : — " Several of the phenomena which usually accompany earthquakes were observed here on Saturday (August 15), and it was at the time stated by the Harbor Master and others by whom they were observed, that news of an earthquake in some part of New Zealand would soon be received. Their speculations prove to have been correct. At Westporfc about the time of low water, several • bores' or waves of unusual size presented themselves in the river, running rapidly in from the sett, and towards high water the tide made with unusual rapidity. Usually the tide rises in the Bullcr without any observable inward current, but on Saturday it ran in at considerable speed ; and, even at the highest wharf in the river, there was at one time a enrrent of at least two knots per hour up the river. The largest and heaviest ' bore 1 occurred between five and six o'clock in the evening. It was from four to five feet in height and, eb it pressed up the river with considerable velocity, it led to the John Penn breaking her moorings at Stanley wbai'f. Similar phenomena were observed along the coast. By those who were travelling by Cobb's coach, the sea was seen to recede for a considerable distance, and unusually large waves then broke upon the shore, and advanced considerable distances up the beach. This morning, according to the testimony of a number of the inhabitants, a shock of earthquake was distinctly felt at "VVestport. Time is not very accurately kept in this town, but the shock or shaking seems to have been felt about ten or a quarter past ten o'clock. Several persons who were at the time writing at counters, desks or tables state that they felt the trembling motion very distinctly, and in one instance the table was both seen and felt to move, while there was a visiblo \ibration of other articles of furniture in the room. At the Caledonian Terrace similar observations were made." The same journal, under date Tuesday, August 18, says : — " The shock of an earthquake was felt yesterday morning in Hokitika, at two minutes to ten o'clock. The shock, which lasted twelve or fourteen seconds, appeared to come from the westward, and passed to the north-east, and was accompanied by a slight rumbling noise, which was most felt in the neighborhood of Gibson's Quay, as we are informed thut tho vibration was plainly felt by perBons in the houses in that locality. Some persoriB employed at tho Government buildings also felt the shock, and ran into the open air in consequonce." The " Grey lth er Argus" of the 18th August writes : — " The Middle Island of New Zealand appears at the present time to be undergoing some elemental process, which is rather alarming, and not at all plenBant. On Saturday, it was rumored in town that Lyttolton harbor had been visited by a large tidal wave twenty feet high, which did great damage to the shipping. At the time, the weather here was beautifully fine, the sea smootli, and no unusual rise took place in tho rivor ; but in the evening a sudden rise of ceveral feet was observed to tako place in a few minutes, and as rapidly to subside. We have this on the authority of a number of persons whose veracity we can relv on, but whether or not their imaginations wero excited by the news from Lyttolton, we cannot say. That some nautical phenomena are afc work, was proved yesterday morning, when a slight shock of earthquake was distinctly felt here at about 9.50 a.m."