HAWKE'S BAY AREAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20985, 23 September 1931, Page 10

HAWKE'S BAY AREAS.

HASTINGS SEVERELY SHAKEN. JOLT AND SWINGING MOTION. * NO MATERIAL DAMAGE REPORTED [Br TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] HASTINGS, Tuesday. Hastings was again severely shaken by an earthquake, which lasted just under three minutes, shortly after one o'clock this morning. Because of the hour, its action was particularly alarming, and the climax of the movement was such as to give fears that it was about to develop into something more or less like one of the three major earthquakes of February. According to Mr. Henry de Denne's seismograph, the earthquake was of an intensity about equal to that of the shake on September 12, which lasted over four minutes. Mr. do Dcnno said the movement was local. Its points of origin lav about 20 to 25 miles from Hastings and Napier. About half-way through the earthquake there was a lull, and then the movement gradually swelled again in strength, and slowly died away in a swaying movement. People who were awake at the time report that the earthquake began with a fairly severe jolt, and then, after about half a minute of a swinging motion, developed another jolt. The same motions were repeated before the movement died away. There are no reports of any material damage in Hastings. FAIRLY SEVERE AT NAPIER. GOODS AND FITTINGS FALL. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] NAPIER, Tuesday. A rather severe cathquake shock occurred at 1.5 this morning. Its direction appeared to be south-west to northeast, and its total period was probably a minute and a half. The onslaught was fairly severe, and as it died down the force suddenly increased again, and then gradually ceased. No damage was done, although" some ill-supported shop 'fittings and goods fell. WAIROA RESIDENTS ALARMED. MANY LEAVE THEIR HOUSES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WAIROA, Tuesday. One of the heaviest earthquakes experienced here since the February disaster occurred shortly after one o'clock. It consisted of two heavy shocks in close succession. People were greatly alarmed, and rushed out in their night attire. No damage lias been reported. VVIGOROUS SHAKING." MOST PEOPLE STAY IN BED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DANNEVIRKE, Tuesday. A noisy, prolonged and severe earthquake was felt this morning. It started gently, practically subsided, and theu increased in intensity, and gave town and country a vigorous shaking. Had it been davlight there would have been a scamper for the open, but most people stayed in bed and hoped for the best. It lasted for an unusually long time, and considering its severity, it is surprising that no damage has been reported. EXPERIENCE AT WAIPUKURAU. NOISE AND VIBRATION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —rRESS ASSOCIATION.] WAIPUKURAU, Tuesday. The earthquake was mainly characterised by noise and severe vibration. It commenced with a slight shock, which woke most people. Then there was a pause, followed by noise, which preceded a second shake, greater in intensity and length. Although clocks stopped, no damage is reported from Waipawa, Waipukurau or Porangahau districts, and the general opinion is that the earthquake was not so severe as the shake of September 12. ORIGIN OF DISTURBANCE. 240 MILES FROM, WELLINGTON. [by XEI EGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. J WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Records of the earthquake at the Dominion Observatory, Kelbiiru, show that its origin was about 240 miles from Wellington. It was probably of very deep focus, hence the widespread effect and deeper focus of the earthquake in the wide area over which it was felt. In Wellington the shock was felt as distinctly north to south, the effect of a pronounced jolt being followed by a prolonged tremor, which lasted from 20 to 30 seconds before finally dying down. No damage was done locally. Accompanying the beginning of the earthquake was distinct subterranean rumbling.