EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16239, 24 November 1914, Page 7

EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS

LARGE AREA AFFECTED.

SEVERAL CHIMNEYS LEVELLED, (Pkb United Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, November 23. A slight earthquake shock occurred here about 7.30 on Sunday night. HAMILTON, November 23. A fairly severe earthquake occurred here last night.

GISBORNE, November 23. An earthquake caused a stampede from the churches, but the services were resumed afterwards.

At Tokomaru Bay the shake was more severe at the northern end of the town than the southern end, which felt it so Severely before. The business people had been prepared against loss, having their shelves wired, and they therefore did not suffer to any considerable extent, but several chimneys which had only just been built after the quake a month ago again suffered. DANNEVTRKE, November Z3.

At 7.47 on Sunday, evening the most severe earthquake since August, 1904, experienced here. It lasted for a consider able time, but beyond alarming the people and levelling a few chimneys little damage was reported. Portions of the congregations in the churches sought safety in the street, while the householders also sought the open. PALMERSTON N., November 23.

The earthquake was very severe in this district. A number of chimneys were levelled, and damage done in various business premises. MASTERTON, November 23. Two shocks of earthquake were experienced here last night. WELLINGTON, November 23. An earthquake, which seemed to have been serious further north, found its way to Wellington at 7.46 last night in a modified form. There were two rather prolonged shocks which alarmed the people in the churches and caused them to run out in some instances, but as usual the shake was more threatening in appearance than in reality. A little plaster fell in one or two buildings, but no damage so far has been reported. BLENHEIM, November 23.

A very severe and prolonged earthquake was experienced here at 7.47 last night. This was followed in a second by a shock even more severe. Buildings shook and clocks stopped, and the people were somewhat scared.

CHRISTCHURCH, November 23.

Christchurch was shaken by an earthquake last evening. The re was a slight tremor at 7.45, accompanied by a rumbling noise, preceding a fairly sharp shock, which lasted half a minute. It was in the direction of north-west to south-east.

Chrietchurch was thrown into a state of consternation shortly before 8 o'clock on Sunday night (says the Press), when a violent earthquake was experienced. Tile first shock., winch came at 15 minutes to ts, \vafi only a mild affair, and caused no particular alarm. Many people, in fact, did not even notice it, A ininuto aiterwards, however, a second shock came, and that lett no room for doubt. It lasted some seconds, and seemed much longer, especially to those people who were indoors at the time. As far as can be ascertained, no very material damage resulted. The Telephone Exchange felt the shock severely, and suffered for a time a serious interruption. All the shutters 'indicating connections were thrown down, the consequence being that for the timo being the wnole service was cut off. The earthquake was felt very severely in the Post Oliice buiiding, ar.d all cloaks stopped ticking at 13 minutes to 8

The congfregsition at St. Paul's was completely bewildered by the sharp and sudden shock, which was :elt towards the close of the sermon. There were two distinct shocks, the Etxjond following about two minutes after the first. The lirst quake was noticed by only a Jew, but the second shook the whole building violently, am.: almost tho entire congregation rose in their scats. There would undoubtedly have been a rush for the doors, especially amongst the occupants o'f tho gallery, where the shock was morn severely felt, had it not been for the promptness of Mr Reese in abruptly closing h>s sermon and annouhcing a hymn. His Majesty's Theatre was packe-d with people when the shock came. Those in the gallsry felt it the worst, and a few of the women were very much upset, and had to be led away. Otherwise there wim no inoonvenienco.

Telephone messages received at the Pres3 office indicated that both shocks were felt throughout the Canterbury province. No damage was reported, but in several places a good deal of alarm was caused.

Mr H. F. Skey, of the Magnetic Observatory, says that an examination of the seismograph shows that the origin of the shock was on'y about 100 miles away—probably to the east of the Christchurch meridian.