SHARP EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9303, 16 November 1901, Page 2

SHARP EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.

a, DAMAGE TO CATHEDRAL SPIRE. CHEVIOT POST OFFICE WRECKED. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. One of the sharpest shocks of earthquake felt here for many years was experienced at 7.47 a.m., lusting over half a minute. Tlie Cathedral spire was cracked m two places, and part of the spire under the cross has been shifted about a foot. Beyond the injury to the Cathedral spire, the damage to other buildings is not considerable. Several house chimneys fell, and the tank under the roof of the Direct Importing Company overflowed, and damaged goods two storeys below. It was feared that Wardell's new building at the corner of High and Cashstreets Mad gone out of plumb, but experts state this is not the case. The only apparent dsunage is a crack m a small chimney at the Normal School, which is built on peaty ground. Several cracks are noticeable on the outside walls. . One crack m the northern gable, though not serious, seems to show that, but for the buttress, the whole wall would have fallen. Leading builders estimate that it will take £800 to repair the Cathedral spire, the same amount practically as on the previous occasion. WELLINGTON, this day. The Postal Department is advised that the Cheviot post office was completely wrecked by this morning's earthquake. Everything was dismantled, and every jar m the office broken. One death, that of a baby, is reported, and two accidents occurred. Cheviot was m a state of collapse, business being suspended. Damage was also done to the post office at Waiau. A sharp shock of earthquake was felt at about ten minutes to eight this morning. OAMARU, this day. A slight shock of earthquake occurred at 7.45 this morning. TIMARU, this day. A shock of earthquake was felt here this morning at 12 minutes to 8: The shock caused a distinct trembling, lasting about thirty seconds. ASHBURTON, this day. A sharp shock of earthquake was felt here at 7.48 this morning, lasting several seconds. One or two clocks stopped. NELSON, this day. A prolonged shock of earthquake was felt at 7.45 this 'morning, lasting over half a minute. The direction was north to south. Buildings rocked and groaned, and the church clock stopped at the exact minute. Doors, crockery, pictures, etc., swayed for several seconds after the shock ceased. A marked feature of the shock was its duration, and the gentle swaying and undulating motion. Severed , people got quite scared, and some rushed out of their houses m alarm. Happily, , though one of the longest shocks ever , felt here, the motion was not severe, and no damage is yet reported. BLENHEIM, this day. A prolonged, but not very severe earthquake, was felt here at 7.45 this morning. WESTPORT, this day. A heavy, prolonged .earthquake was felt at 7.50 a.m. GREYMOUTH, this day. A sharp shock of earthquake, lasting over ten seconds, occurred at 7.45 this i morning. ■ : (Special to Herald.) ! DUNEDIN, this day. i A sharp shock of earth quake occurred i here at a quarter to eight this morning. The most violent shock of earthquake I experienced at Masterton for many years ' occurred at 6.37 on Thursday evening. The ' shake was preceded by a loud i rumbling noise, and the tremor rattled windows and doors, and threw down pictures and crockery-ware. Many people ■ rushed outside m alarm. The duration of - the shake, which appeared to be from ■ north to south, was about ten seconds. _________-__-_~--»---