SEVERE EARTHQUAKES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20867, 8 May 1931, Page 12

SEVERE EARTHQUAKES.

'ALARM AT GISBORNE. DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS. / 500 CHIMNEYS COLLAPSE. STREETS AS PLACE OF REFUGE. </' , [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COIUIE S PON DE NT. J GISBORNE. Thursday. A severe earthquake was experienced in Gi/>borne at 2.28 this morning, causing considerable alarm. Several minor earth tremors were felt this afternoon and wero followed by a fairly sharp shock at 4.25 and another at 9.15. The heavy shock early this morning was preceded by a loud rumbling noise and u short, sharp shock. When it reached its greatest intensity, people hurried out into the streets, in which the only light, owing to the temporary failure ot' the electric supply, was that afforded

/by motor-cars. It is estimated that in the main streets of the town over 1000 persons, clad in a miscellaneous array of garments, sought refuge. Plate-glass Windows Broken. The principle damage occurred at Hall's Buildings at- the corner of Peel Street and Gladstone Road. These premises suffered during the great shock on February 3, but this morning's earthquake brought down a length of parapet about three times as long as that which crashed on tho former occasion. Between 70 and 80 plate-glass windows ■were more or less damaged in the business area. A great many were completely wrecked, while others wero severely cracked and strained. Petties' business suffered most in this respect, seven of tho big windows being destroyed. Havoc was also wrought among stocks in shops, while throughout tho town there ore at least 500 chimneys down. It is estimated that tho total damage will exceed £SOOO. At the Cook Hospital, which stands on a hill, patients took the shake very calmly, and there was no panic. All tho nurses reported immediately for duty. No structural damage was done. Country reports show that tho disturbance was more severe to the south and eouth-west. Te Karaka, 20 miles north of Gisborne, felt nothing, and in northern coastal areas the shock was not Fcvere. Nuhaka and Wharerata experienced 17 tremors in the first half-hour.

Damage in the Country. Tirinoto, 55 miles south-west, reports that the shocks were 6evero until 6 o'clock, and then /easca off, but continued mildly every quarter of an hour this morning. Chimneys there are down, tanks are burst and crockery smashed, and the interior of the general store is in great disorder. According to a later report the residents of Tirinoto spent the night on the hotel verandah. Thoy declare the shakes were as severe as any previously felt. All chimneys are down, some having been rebuilt several times since February 3. All crockery wasy broken, and everything on the shelves of the hotel bar was thrown down. 'Waerengaokuri, near Gisborne, reports that although chimneys are down and crockery broken, the shock was not exceptionally severe. Bartleet's camp, on the Wharerata hills, 20 miles south of Gisborne, reports that there were 32 shocks between 2.30 and 7.30 a.m.

MANY SHOCKS AT HASTINGS. / UNEASINESS AMONG RESIDENTS. [BY TEI.EGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] HASTINGS. Thursday. Seven earthquakes, all of considerable intensity, were felt here yesterday. The most intense was at 5.8 p.m. It lasted one minute, and, according to a seismograph in the possession.of Mr. Henry de Denne, went to the full width of the chart, but did not throw the needle off. It had a heavy rolling motion. A more frightening shock occurred at 2.27 this morning, and the seismograph shows that it lasted a full five minutes. Seismographically, it was not so intense as yesterday's earthquake, but its long duration and tho early morning hour made it the more alarming. No damage is reported, but tho continuance of tremors is naturally causing uneasiness.

WAIROA PEOPLE PERTURBED. BREAKAGES INSIDE HOUSES. [by telegraph.—press association.] WAIROA, Thursday. An alarmingly severe earthquake was experienced throughout the district at 2.30 this morning. Jt was followed by numerous tremors hours afterwards. Practically no damage has been reported from business premises and houses, but there were many breakages indoors. ' Many people rushed outside in their right attire. The shock wi.a of the heavy, rocking type. / EXPERIENCE AT OPOTZKI, SEVERAL SLIGHT TREMORS. [BY TET .EM: API I.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] OPOTIKI. Th iircdiiy. A fairly severe earthquake shock was felt at 2.30 a.m., lasting fully 30 seconds. It w;is followed by several slight shocks, and there was another slight shock at 4.20 p.m. No damage was reported. The early morning shock was also felt at Whakatane. 'j

ORIGIN OFF THE EAST COAST CALCULATIONS / AT WELLINGTON. (by TEI-EGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. | / WELLINGTON, Thursday. Instruments at the Ivelburn Observatory sliuw that the earthquake this morning obviously was one of considerable magnitude. The oscillations continued for more than an hour. preliminary calculations point to the centre of origin being off the east coast, about six degrees from Wellington, and north-east of the centre of the great earthquake of February 3. A further shock of lesser intensity was recorded at 5.23 a.m. It is calculated that it was 127 miles from Wellington, probably in tbo Murcbison area.