A STATE OF PANIC.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9304, 18 November 1901, Page 3

A STATE OF PANIC.

THE POSITION TRULY ALARMING. CHRISTCHURCH, noon. According to telegrams, daylight found Cheviot more demoralised than ever. The residents were m the open air all night. Several more shocks occurred this morning, and a general exodus of women and children to Christchurch, Waian, and other places took place, the strain being too much for them. Many were hysterical. From the districts around Cheviot news continues to be received, of devastation and loss. „ The tremendous shock this morning caused a panic, people preparing to leave m large numbers. The shock threw people off their feet. No further damage is reported. Paii^al scenes are being witnessed m the township. Smaller shocks 'and earth tremors are felt every few minutes, intermingled with more severe convulsions. The position is becoming alarming. Fresh cracks and fissures are continually opening up m the ground. A petition is m .circulation asking the insurance companies to assist the settiers, and an appeal to the Government is suggested. ;' PECULIAR WATERSPOUTS. Settlers from Waiau report that cracks two feet wide have appeared m a paddock and are full of wateY. The river presented a strange spectacle on Saturday morning. As the shock progressed great cracks opened m its bed, jnto which the water poureVl. Presently the cracks closed suddenly and shot volumes of water a hundred feet high m the air.