SUBTERRANEAN NOISES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21053, 16 June 1930, Page 10

SUBTERRANEAN NOISES.

LOW RUMBLINGS AND TREMORS. WIDE AREA DISTURBED. DIFFICULTY OF EXPLANATION. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, June 14. Residents in the districts between Te Awamutu and Rukuhia, near Frankton, are at loss to explain dull subterranean rumbles which were heard at 6.30 last evening. It was described as being like a series of explosions a long way off and sufficiently heavy to rattle windows'in .the houses. Residents in Uio districts where the subterranean noises were heard were inclined to associate the happening with Arapuni, but nothing further of an untoward nature has been reported from that locality. On inquiries being made this aioruii.'s, it was ascertained that the strange noises were heard over a wide area about '3.30 o'clock last night. Loud rumblings were heard in Ohaupo which sounded like distant thunder. These were accompanied by a vibration, and it is assumed that there was a rather severe earthquake. The rumblings continued for five minutes, and residents over a wide area heard them. •, Ohaupo is halfway between Te Awamutu and Frankton, and a considerable distance from the Arapuni hydro-electric works. While sitting at lunch at Arapuni about 1 o'clock to-day various Government officials thought they felt a slight \ earth tremor'. The shock, if it could be so described, was only momentary, but it was the subject of general observation. It caused Mr F. W. Furkort to ask, What’s that? ” Whether this has any connection with the Ohaupo rumblings last night, or . whether it indicates - some general subterranean disturbance it is difficult to say. “ The rumblings seem almost definitely to be connected with an earthquake disturbance, apparently of local origin,” said Professor J. A. Bartrum, professor of geology at Auckland University College. He added that he ,could see no cause for the disturbance. As far as Arapuni was concerned that was quite out of question. There were no known earth faults near Ohaupo, the professor explained, but much of the district was cohered by alluvium which in some places was of considerable! depth.