SHARP EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 758, 10 September 1886, Page 30

SHARP EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS.

Two of the sharpest shocks of earthquake felt for a long time in Wellington occurred last Friday—probably the most severe since those experienced on the evening of Good Friday of 1884. The first shock came just as the Post Office clock had sounded the second stroke of 12 o’clock. The. shake was accompanied with an unusually loud subterranean rumbling, which, with vibration of the earth, continued till the second and severer shock came. The seismometer at the Museum showed . that the first shock was from the north-east, and after an interval of twenty seconds there was an east and west oscillation, lasting for a minute. The first shock affected the north and south recorders - 008 of an inch, and the east and west movement was shown on the recorder to the extent of *OS of an inch. These registered marks are extremely slight, considering how intensely the earthquake was felt an all parts of the city, and for some reason the actual movement cannot have been fully indicated by the instrument. On the wharf the shocks were felt with great force, and it was thought that a steamer had struck it. Some little alarm was created in the Supreme Court when the libel case was being heard. Even in the open air the earthquake was distinctly felt, and people walking in the streets saw the walls of buildings move. There was a good deal of timidity among those occupying brick buildings, but we have heard of no damage beyond small parts of ceiling plaster here and there being knocked down. It will be seen that in Christchurch and Greymouth the earthquake was felt at two minutes later than the first shock in Wellington. It will be interesting to know whether the clocks differed or whether the shock took so long a time to pass the distance. Another shock of earthquake was felt at eight minutes to 7 on Monday morning, fnllowed shortly afterwards by a slighter shock. A rumbling noise was heard before the earthquake. A slight motion from eaßt to west is shown on the seismometer at the Museum.

(united press association.) Westport, September 3. There was a strong shock of earthquake here at noon.

Blenheim, September 3. A very severe shock of an earthquake was felt at noon to-day. The Government Buildings and other structures rocked considerably, and great alarm was occasioned. The shock lasted seven or eight seconds, and was proceeded by several seconds of loud rumbling. No damage is reported. The shock was felt generally throughout the province, and was the heaviest experienced for many years. Christchurch, September 3. A slight shock of earthquake was felt here about two minutes past noon. The duration was and the direction apparently from north-east to south-west. It was felt at Lyttelton, on the Peninsula, and in North Canterbury. The shock appears to have been more severe northwards, but there are no reports of its having been experienced in South Canterbury. At Rangiora it was described as rather smart, while at Waiau it is said to have been very severe. It lasted quite a minute, a slight trembling continuing for some time longer. The reports as to its direction are, as usual, conflicting. Greymouth, September 3. A very sharp earthquake shock was felt here at two minutes after twelve. It lasted over a quarter of a minute, and was preceded by a rumbling sound. The severest part of . the shock was in the middle, the vibration gradually dying away. Several persons on the quay who did not feel the quake saw the houses shaking. The glasses and bottles rattled in the public houses, and the windows and crockery in private houses. There is no common opinion as to the direction, the sensation amongst observers being opposite to each other. One who was in a good position to feel all the vibrations describes the motion as that of a dog shaking himself after coming out of the water. The bar became rough all at once about the time.

Nelson, September 3. A severe shock of earthquake was felt at noon to-day. Patea, September 3. A slight shock of earthquake was felt here at noon to-day. lasting four or five seconds. No damage or alarm. Hawera, September 3. A sharp and prolonged earthquake was felt here at noon to-day. Kaikoura, September 3. Two earthquakes were felt here at midday. A tremulous motion was first observable, and a slight shock then took place, followed after an interval of a couple of seconds by a very smart one, about the heaviest experienced, the direction being N.E. and S.W. Nelson, September 7. A slight shock of earthquake took place at five minutes to 7 this morning. Blenheim, September 7. There was a sharp shock of earthquake at nine minutes to 7 this morning.