DAMAGE BY EARTHQUAKE.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14483, 15 August 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

DAMAGE BY EARTHQUAKE.

f United Press Association.]

Masterton, August 6

One of the worst earthquakes experienced here was felt at 3.15 this morning. Damage was done in various parts of the district by failing: chimneys. There were several minor shocks after tho big shake.

Another shock was felt at 9.5 this morning.

Hundreds of pounds' worth of damage has been done in some parts by the big shake.

In East Coast districts much damage was done as regards chimneys and furniture.

The Tau^ru Hotel was almost wrecked, the damage amounting to''£2oo. In several places the earth opened. Tho Castlepoint lighthouse was affected, the lantern being put out -of gear till daylight.

August 8. Further reports are to. hand of the effects of yesterday's earthquake. At Blairlogie a chimney smashed through the loof, just missing a bed in which Mr Morrison's Children were sleeping. A piano was thrown across the room, an.d pictures were torn from the walls. The roof was so badly knocked about that It. wili have, to ha replaced entirely.

Every chimney was levelled at Taueru. and the bridge over tho Tauerti rrver has been strained so much as to be unsafe for heavy traffic.

■It is a curious fact that no damage was done in some localities adjoining those where serious devastation was wrought. Jn Cartertoi: there is,an Instance of this. In some of the streets houses and chimneys were more or less wrecked, and in streets nenr oy, hardly an" ornament wa? displaced. Another sharp quake was felb at 11.57 a.m. to-day.

PahFafua, August 6. An earthquake of exceptional severity -occurred at 3.20 a.m. There was a wolonged shock. Buildings rocked violently. There were several smaller shakes at intervals up to 5 o'clock. Tho direction appeared to be from north to .south.

Chiinnevs were razed to the ground and windows and glass*" doors broken. Brick walls suffered. Lavatory cisterns were emptied sancl articles m" private bouses and business places were smashed.

Several narrow escapes are reported

The earthquake was severe in other '.arts of Wellington province and in Hawke's Bay. t' At Ohristcnnrch the earthquake was. nc-t^felfc by the residents, but was registered on the instrument at the Observatory. There v/as :t very large motion, which lasted for 3 minutes. The total duration of the tremor was one hour, beginning at 3.21.