EARTHQUAKE'S VAGARIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18355, 22 March 1923, Page 6

EARTHQUAKE'S VAGARIES.

HOLIDAY MADE FOR CLERKS.

SAFE-DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN

[BT TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. Eathquakes occasionally play strange pranks, but not often are thay the means of giving clerks a holiday. This, however, was the case in Wellington on Monday when the heads of departments and office clerks . assembled to resume work in the office of the Australian Mutual Provident Society at 9 a.m. on the day following the last earthquake. It was found that the strong-room door could not be opened. The massive steel barrier refused either to be coaxed or forced into opening by the combined and individual efforts of the staff. • • After all the " first-aid " methods applicable to strong-room doors had . been exhausted ( it was concluded that there was nothing for it but the professional locksmith. The expert came along with the outfit and tried all manner of means io liberate'the door. It was then clear to everyone that it was a long job, and those of the staff who were concerned with" the books in the safe were informed that their services would not be required' for . the rest of the day. After the door had been fought with for nearly the whole of the day it was concluded that there, was no way out but to burn the lock with the acetone flame. The night was spent on the work, and it was accomplished by 10 a.m. yesterday. At a house in Brougham Street four doors were found to be jammed after Sunday evening's earthquake, and each will need the carpenter's attention before it is able to swing easily on its hinges.