THE CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3590, 2 January 1923, Page 56

THE CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE.

WEIRD EFFECTS AT lIANMER(Fhoji Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 27. Reports received to-day indicate that the earthquake was felt more severely at Hanmer than early accounts suggested. During and after the shake there was considerable activity in the ladies’ swimming pool. The water bubbled up quite a foot, being agitated like violently boiling water. ’The bathers were alarmed, and left the pool hastily. At the original reservoir the uprising of the water assumed the propor tions of a miniature geyser. There was an increasing sulphurous smell from the water, which assumed a black discolouration that was very noticeable, and much gas escaped into the air. Minor damage was done about the township in the way of breakages, the hospital probably suffering the worst. HILL DISTRICTS ESCAPE. CHRISTCHURCH. December 27. It is reported that the damage to Lady Campbell’s residence near Cheviot amounts to £2OOO. Many valuable ornaments have been smashed, and the state room damaged by falling bricks. About two dray-, loads of debris have been removed from the house. .This house was severely damaged in the 1901 quake. Mendip Hills, which was the centre of the 1901 quake, came off comparatively well this time, as also did Parnassus, where no chimneys have fallen, though one or two are cracked.