EARTHQUAKES IN SOUTHERN EUROPE,

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7340, 6 April 1887, Page 2

EARTHQUAKES IN SOUTHERN EUROPE,

TEJRRIBLE SCENES AND GREAT LOSS OF LIFE.

Nice, in Italy, and Cannes, in France, as wsll as several other points in both countries, were visited, by severe earth- . quakes on 23rd February. In the former city 60 houses were left in a con 'ition to fall at any moment, and many others are' - much damaged. Some wells dried up, while others increased in volume. Another shuck was felt on the 25th. 20,000 persona left the place, and a chasm opened in the ground near tho city, from which a stream of hot muddy water bubbled up. Notwithstanding the fright ana tar^e- desertion of Nice by its inhubhants,- the theatre opened on the night of the 26th, and the College also "resumed, and concerts were given in the public gardens. ££fhe effects of the earthquake at Mentono were more terrible. Everything was reduced to ruins," and the staircases cf the few houses that remained standing were pronounced unsafe. Large crevices were disclosed in the cemetery, and the cupola of the Cathedral, as well' as the vault of the White Penitents, wer_e deatroyed. The building inspectors condemned two-thirds of the picturesque old terwn as unsafe. A stiff wind prevailed on the 27tb, making it very unsafe to walk about the streets. Several fires occurred, but were speedily extinguished, and the military guards on duty prevented pillaging of the -wrecked houses. Monte Carlo suffered less than any other place. Scientists say this is due to the fact that it is built on the rock. There was a tejrrible state of affairs at a place called. Diana Marino, which was visited on thu t?6 h by Signor Genala, Minister of Puli'c Worts, General Di Sonnasa, ~nd a nuailj r or deputies from tho' district).' ravagt-d by theeartliquake. The'bodici.of 24 persons wore taken from the ruins on thatduy, and 64 more are reported under the fallen buildings. A child of 12 and her father were taken from the debri*, when the latter expired on tha spot. A woman and child were taken out aliveafter bein^ entombed three days. The' survivors s;ty that the majority of victims were killed by the second shock, many people haviDg re-entered their houses to procure clothing. The bodies, wrapped in shrcuds, lay in the middle of tho streets, and groans were heard ia tho ruins, especially in the Via Garibaldi. At a house nuar th^ city a ball was in progress, and when the (shocks came the buiWing wafl entirely wrecked, a terrible* loss of life resulting therefrom. The dancers lay dead in heaps upon the ground. Many houses' which were destroyed had large tank& underneath filled with olive oil, intended for exportation to France and Germuny. This has all disappeared, and tho loss is placed at 500,000 dollars. Almost the entire population is encamped on the seashore.

During the time all the Volunteers are at the Easter Encampment the catering will come to about £250 a day, and the number of cooks and other hands employed ia preparing meals will be about fifty. During the three months of this year 89 vessels entered at the port of New Plymouth, or an average of about one a clay. Last year the number entered during the corresponding period was 75. None of the #9 *ere boated this .year; whilo last year two oi'the 75 had to have recourse to that mean's. o£ communication with the shore. The question of the survey of a line of ■road to Auckland was under consideration at the County Council to-day, and the Chairman was asked whether anything had been done in the" matter by the Government. The Chairman said that no reply had been received to tho last resolu tion. Mr. Smith : "I suppoflo the Government are looking for a third road." " No," said Mr. Eolly., " they ar« f>oly looking for a wcy oixt of the difficulty."

% At tho last meeting of tho Harbour Board a' committee was appointed to consider the question of the conversion of the loan in order to reduce the rate. A report wa3 to have been brought up to-day, but as Mr. Samuel, who is ttikinsj great interest in the -natter^was.out.ol town tho reauH.of the deliberations was not disclosed. The " report, however, will be tothe ef&ot that Board considers that it c<m carry .on . for. rjr eighteen months . without any default in the paymonta of interest, and it is understood that action in tlie direction of conversion will be indefinitely deferred. ' "