Earthquake at Cheviot

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11823, 21 November 1901, Page 2

Earthquake at Cheviot

THE HON. MR HALL- JONES'S REPORT.

(Per Press Association).

Wellington, November 20. — The Hon. Mr iiali-Jorits, m ins import t>tho Premier from Cheviot, says that the chiei sulicrert> are moil witn small holdings up to iiO acict>. Tiusir cob houses aie completely destroyed, and they will require some linancini assistance. He is gutting tents from tho Government works at VVaipafa to lend them, and larger holders will, he thinks, g et along. Two of the bridges are badly damaged timber 12 by 12 being broken tHiOugli: These should be put in hand at once* with th© exception oi the Bluff Road, which ho has not yet seen at time of telegraphing. Thj roads are not much damaged. If no further shocks occur, the people will soon settle down.

Wellington, November 21.— The postmaster at Cheviot telegraphed to the Secretary of tho Department this morning that several sharp shofeks have been feit since I a.m., tho test being at 7.56 a.m., the effect of wHicH has been to renew the apprehensions .Of the people. Six small families are leaving today for homes I ro«.'Hed b.v sympathisers ekt> Christchurch. Ohristchurdh, Ntfvamber 21.— Over a hundred settlers interviewed the Hon. Mr Hall- Jones at Cheviot in connection with pushing through the railway and opening up the Port Road. The Chairman said the completion of the railway was of vital interest to the place/ and the longer it was tfel&yed the longer settlement would be k«fpt- bafck: Mr Hall-JoneS, replying, said the Cheviot people had passed through an experience that no men tit women ;n New Zealand had ever gone through. His visit would be productive of good in the way of hastening the construction.' of the railway, and any/ course decided on by him or his .colleagues' regarding the Port Road vypuld be in their best interests. He'liopid it would not b? many days . before assistance would be, accorded to those who suffered by the earthquakes. Christchurch, November 21.—Renewed shocks of earth'qualce at Cheviot have re-aroused apprehensions of residents, about 40 of -whom left this morning. , Hon. Mr Hall-Jones arranged for free passes' on the railway. . The bridges will b.e repaired by the Government, and the Crown Lands Ranger will spend several days in the district ascertaining the damage tio settlers' houses and' to roads.

, . Later. — Telegraphing at 10.15 a.m: tie"' Cheviot postmaster says the recurrence of shocks has revived the panic. Over forty men, women and children left morning by coach.