MORE EARTHQUAKES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20302, 9 July 1929, Page 12

MORE EARTHQUAKES.

'ORDEAL ON WEST COAST.

HEAVY SHOCK AT WESTPORT

I'EOPLE RUSH TO STREETS

TLOOD AT SEBDONYILLE.

'SETTLERS LEAVE TOWNSHIP

[j'.Y TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.] "WF.STI'OBT, 'Monday. The ordeal of residents of Wc~?port continues, and tho worst earthquake since the groat shake on Monday, June 17, was felt at 12.15 p.m. to day. There was no ■warning rumble, and the shake camo with dramatic suddenness. Buildings received a severo buffeting. People rushed into (lie streets and •women screamed.

The earthquake, although very violent, lasted onlv about, three seconds.

Some crockery and goods in the shops came down, but no serious damage is

reported. Small tremors continued for soino time alter the big shake. The heavy shock nearly brought down tho bridgo at Orawaiti, carrying tho •water main to West port. Tho work of straightening up and strengthening the bridge was just completed last Saturday, and the tools and other gear had been returned to town. At present tho bridge is being held up through fastenings on lo the railway traffic bridgo which runs beside it, pending further steps to straighten and strengthen it. It will bo some weeks before the 14-inch main is ready to resume service. Owing to tho fear of another flood, most of the Seddonvillo residents decided to como to Westport. Tho effect of the Hood is worse than was at first anticipated, and the whole township is practically destitute. Food and clothing havo heen sent out, but only about a dozen houses are habitable. About 120 oi the refugees arrived in town this evening, and are billeted out among local residents. '1 hey leave in tho morning for Reefton, en routo to Christchurch, under the care of the Salvation Army, which is arranging for their billeting with a view to giving them a change from their nerve-wracking experiences. Greyraouth and Reefton report further shakes, bub no damage. One shock at .Reefton was accompanied by a loud rumbling, and lasted 12 seconds. • A movement is now on foot in Westport to secure a careful survey of the Buller and other rivers in tho district in which slips have occurred. Prior to the flood Seddonvillo was reported to be quite safe, but the devastation wrought there made the people apprehensivo as to the stability of-the dam in tho Matakitaki River. Tho schools at Westport reopened to-day. ANOTHER DEATH REPORTED. INJURIES PROVE FATAL. A WELL-KNOWN FARMER. (by telegraph.—own correspondent.] NELSON, MondayMr. Georgo Pettitt, a well-known farmer of Karamea, who had his thigh broken on Juno 17 as a result of the earthquake, died last evening. The late Mr. Pettitt, who was a brother of Mr. T. and Mr. F. C. Pettitt, arrived in Nelson in July, 1850, on his second birthday. In his early life he was engaged in the building trado and took part in the erection of many premises, both in Australia and New Zealand. lie had travelled extensively in Australia, Great Britain and on the Continent. Fortyfive years ago lie took up farming, in which ho had been engaged ever since. Mr. Pettitt is survived by a widow, two . daughters and one son. BULLER GORGE DAMAGE. " GREAT AS EXPECTED," ANOTHER SLIP BLOCKS ROAD. lilY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NELSON, Mondaj. Three weeks after the main shako earthquakes continue to be felt generally. Tho shocks in Nelson are light, but there was it fairly sharp ono shortly after noon today. Murchison reported a fairly considerable shock at 12.10 p.m., following severe tremors during tho night. Takaka reports a severe shock on Saturday evening and another at 12.10 p.m. to-day. Tho Public Works engineer, Mr. L. May, who has just completed an inspection at tho foot of the Buller Gorge, telegraphs as follows: "Just arrived. Good trip. Damage as great as expected. . An uplifting movement of 13ft. has occurred on tho fault piano near White's Creek,"" A slip has occurred on the GlonhopeMurchison Road. Tho slip is near the Staircase, and arrangements were made 1o transfer mails and passengers in the event of tho way being blocked this afternoon. Tho Minister in charge of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Hon. 11. Atmore, has been advised that further seismic field observations arc necessary in tho Murchison district, and ho has authorised them lo bo carried out. ' SENDING MONEY DIRECT. ; SCHEME AT WHANGAREI. ; ORGANISING DISTRICT FUND. [UY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WIIANC.AREI, Monday. A public meeting convened by the Mayor and the county chairman was held to discuss thn question of the earthquake relief. Tho Mayor, Mr. W. Jones, who presided, s\d he thought they should organise a relief fund in the Whangarei district. On tho motion of Mr. Jones all present formed thomsclvcs into a committee. Regarding tho disposal of the funds collected the chairman said he was not in favour of sending the money to the central fund. It was proposed that the money collected bo sent direct to the Mayor of Nelson. It was decided that the chairmen of various local bodies and the Chamber of Commerce bo added to the committee. An executive was also elected. Tho Town Hall was filled last evening when a concert promoted by Whangarei Picturo Enterprises on behalf of the earthquake relief fund was held. Tho collection amounted to £36 10s, and will bo paid s»to tho Mayor's fund.