EARTHQUAKE EFFECTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8652, 10 February 1914, Page 8

EARTHQUAKE EFFECTS

DAMAGE AT TOWN HALL. The nature of the earthquake which occurred on Sunday is indicated by observations carried out by Mr G. Hogben, Inspector-General of Schools, who has made a study of this subject. These show that the shake was more protracted than was at first supposed. The preliminary tremor took place at 11.33 a.m. and continued for three seconds; after a brief interval came tie principal shock, which occupied eight seconds, and finally there was a (series of tremblings spread ever a space of twenty seconds. The total time of the earthquake was therefore over half a minute. Slight shocks also occurred in tho evening and later at night. The results of the visitation were rather marked at the Town Hall, where various cracks in the interior were discovered. In the Mayor’s room •and (several other and also in tho main corridor on tho first floor? a number of cracks appeared in the ceilings, and it may be necessary to remove the plaster in places to find out just what damage has been done. Th© ceilings are of embossed steel in tho main hall, the Concert Chamber, Council Chamber, town clerk’s office, and No. 1 committee room, and no damage has been shown in those portions of the building. The effects of the jolt extended to the city organ, several parts of which became jammed. A day or two must elapse before tho necessary readjustments can bo made, but the instrument will be fit for use at the recital on Saturday night. The public library, which was reinforced after the ’quake of 1904, withstood Sunday’s shock quite satisfactorily, and it is evident that the work of strengthening the walls and foundations was efficient.

Messrs Odlin, Ltd., suffered a loss of about £2O through the breaking of mirrors, marble slabs, and tiles, at their warehouse, and damage was also sustained in various crockery and fancy goods shops.