EARTHQUAKE SHOCK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25090, 4 December 1942, Page 2

EARTHQUAKE SHOCK

DAMAGE IN WELLINGTON MANY BUILDINGS ENDANGERED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 3. Up till a late hour this afternoon more than 20 complaints had been received at the Wellington city engineer’s office respecting the buildings deemed to be dangerous through damage caused by Wednesday’s earthquake. The majority were buildings which had been damaged or strained on August 2. In some instances the complaints were labelled “chimney in dangerous condition,” and in one case only was there a report of a chimney having fallen through a roof. Some buildings reported as dangerous were known to be so from the wrenching received in June and August, but, through no fault of the owners or the city authorities, it has not been possible to secure sufficient skilled labour to do the necessary repairs. Numerous after-shocks are being recorded at the Dominion Observatory, and there were 114 registered up to 8.30 a.m. to-day. Six of them were quite perceptible. A noticeable tremor was felt shortly after noon to-day, and another at 5.17 p.m. The epicentre of seismic movement has not yet been definitely determined. THE WAIRARAPA DISTRICT SEVERAL CHIMNEYS DOWN (P.A.) MASTERTON. Dec. 3. Though no earthquake damage was done in the vicinity of Maslerton, chimneys came down in the Taueru, Gladstone, Te Whiti, and Longbush districts, and crockery and glassware were smashed. Sharp shocks were felt yesterday afternoon and last night. Reports of undue alarm in the Wairarapa are unfounded. There was no alarm in Masterton. and residents, who are becoming accustomed to the shakes, were extraordinarily calm. In most of the shops and offices the employees remained at their work, and others gathered out of curiosity in the streets.