A STRICKEN TOWN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8180, 23 July 1912, Page 1

A STRICKEN TOWN

GUADALAJARA IN RUINS RESIDENT OP THE MEXICAN CITY INTERVIEWED. SPECIAL TO THE “TIMES.” AUCKLAND, July 22. With reference to the earthquake in Mexico, which is reported to Jiav,. laid the town of Gaudaiajara in ruins, a resident- for thirty years of tin stricken eity fthc “J - ’ is pronouncet. as an aspirate), Air David B. Russell, is at present Jiving in his birthplace, Auckland city, and ho gave some interesting details of tho town of hn. adoption, where ho still possesses larg,. interests if tho ’quake has left anything intact. Mr Russell received letters from Guadalajara last month, in which it was stated that tho town had had a had shaking up on May, Ist last. Tho Grand Palace was damaged, and the bishop’s palace so damaged that the archbishop vacated it and declined to reside there any longer. He has since been living is a house in the suburbs. Guadalajara is the capital of the State of Halisco, tho largest and most progressive State in Mexico, and its population is nearer 200,000 than the hundred’ thousand given in the cable, which would seem to indicate that not all tho town is in ruins. The city contains many fine buildings, including a splendid cathedral and the Do Gollado Theatre, built by tho State at a cost of a million and a half dollars. 'This building was closed some time ago owing to a crack developing in the proscenium arch, but Mr Russell, who is an engineer, persuaded the Government to. let him try his hand at repairing it. Ho put in a steel arch, weighing 8V tons, and, m return, received the use of the building free ot all rent and charges for seven years. The work stood the strain of the May ’quake excellently, no sign of weakness appearing. _ The last severe earthquake experienced in the tpwn occurred some fifteen years ago, and was connected with with the violent awakening of Ooltma, a volcanic giant_ some 150 miles away. On that occasion a number of buildings were damaged, but there was no loss of life.

Guadalajara is with the' port of Manzanillo, Upon which the Government has spent, twenty million dollars in shipping f acilities. . The port is the nearest point on the North American Pacific coast to Auckland, -and Mr Russell thinks; that it will : figure largely in the progress of this city when thePanama' .OanaJ,.-i«. through. They, need coal and ■firebricks there, and wo sho dd sf'hply their' wants iii" tkcio and other directions. ’ • ■ On Mr Russell’s ranch, twenty-five miles outside Guadalajara, is a minia-. ture Rotorua, half a' mile square; and containing boiling springs, fumaroles; geysers, and other of the features' which have made the thermal districts world-famous. ■ ' '■