EARTHQUAKE IN HAWKE’S BAY

Southland Times, Issue 23693, 16 December 1938, Page 6

EARTHQUAKE IN HAWKE’S BAY

Superficial Damage To Buildings SUPPLY TANK BURSTS AT HOSPITAL (United Press Association) HASTINGS, December 15. An earthquake felt in all parts of Hawke’s Bay at 9.10 p.m. caused a good deal of damage at Waipukurau, Waipawa and Dannevirke. No one was injured. Stocks in shops suffered and superficial damage occurred to buildings. Plate glass windows were broken in all three towns. The earthquake was preceded by a loud rumble, followed by a swaying motion, which increased until it terminated with a violent jolt. Lamp shades swung for nearly 15 minutes after the disturbance. A big supply tank at the isolation ward at the Waipukurau Hospital burst, causing a good deal of damage. Quantities of plaster fell from the walls and ceiling of the main hospital building and crockery was thrown from the shelves in the kitchen. The patients remained calm throughout, and there was an entire absence of panic. Two plate glass windows were broken in the Waipukurau township, and people ran from buildings into the roadway. Most Dannevirke shops suffered damage to stock, McKenzie’s and McDuff’s being the heaviest losers. At McDuffs a large display of crystal ware collapsed and was reduced to shattered fragments. .In Dannevirke theatres, women screamed and buildings were quickly evacuated. In Hastings the plate glass window of a shop in Heretaunga street was smashed, but although the severity of the earthquake caused much alarm, there was no further damage. Disturbances were felt, also at Napier and Palmerston North, but no major damage was reported.