EARTHQUAKES AT WESTPORT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8363, 25 February 1913, Page 7

EARTHQUAKES AT WESTPORT

cannonading noises heard. MINERS REPORT TERRIFYING experience. Ptess Association. WESTPORT, February 24. Earthquake shocks have been practically continuous from 12.36 on Saturday till 8 a.m. to-day. Thor« were pronounced snakes at o.oU a.m. 7.30 a.m., and 7.45, accompanied by a noise similar to cannonading. No damage has been done since tho first big shock, .but the women and the vounger portion of the population are In a state of apprehension. In three or four places m the district narrow fissures have opened in the ground, mostly in ground. Some headstones were displaced m the cemetery, and scores of gas mantles have been broken in the town Quito a “sea” raged in the river. All hands were below on the steamer Karori, and rushed to the deck when the big shake was felt. ... . Arriving steamers report no disturbance at sea. ~ _ , , - It is almost impossible to count the number of chimneys damaged. Nearly every household in the district has had articles thrown down, with extensive breakages in many places. Men inside the collieries report a terrifying experience. It seemed as if a general collapse was imminent, but there was no actual damage to tho mines. Tho plaster in th» ceilings of the State- schools is loose, and being In danger of falling all tho children were dispersed this morning pending repairs. There are slight cracks in the wall of the Westport Coal Company’s laboratory ; also chemicals to the value of £l9 were destroyed. There havo been no further shocks since 7.45 a.m.