THE EARTHQUAKE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17527, 2 May 1925, Page 5

THE EARTHQUAKE.

SEVERE SHOCK FELT IN CLARENCE DISTRICT. CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE DONE. (Special to “ Star.”) KIAIKOURA, Alay 1. Two severe earth tremors occurred last night, the first at 9.35, the second at 10.30. There was a little rumbling with the first shock, which continued for about ten seconds, but the second shock caused walls to bend, crockery to shake and chimneys to sway So far only one chimney is reported down here, at Air James Leitch’s, but considerable damage was done in most pantries. Further north the ’quake seems to have been more severe. From HalfMoon Bay to the Clarence Bridge trees have been uprooted, slips of rock brought down and cracks formed in the road from two inches to eight inches wide. Chimneys are down at Alessrs E. Harris’s, Parker’s and Todhunter’s and at Woodbank. Slips occurred on the Pulii Puhi Road, and a temporary blockage of traffic was occas’oned. Telephone communication with Christchurch last* - night was interrupted At Clarence the tremors occurred tlnolghout the night. Residents state that che second shock was the most severe felt in the district. AN UNEASY NIGHT. (Special to the "Star.”) BLENHEIM, May 1. Two earthquakes occurring just within an hour of one another startled the residents of Blenheim and district last night, but although one of them was something more than an ordinary ’quake, no dam-age was created except to set jangling susceptible nerves. The first shock was felt at approximately 9.35 p.m., but the tremors were not characterised by any marked severity. Just about fifty-five minutes later the second and heavier shock occurred. This was noteworthy for the prolongation of the vibrations for quite an appreciable number of seconds, but the shake was not accompanied by the jerky movement which made the recent heavy ’quake, in Blenheim a rather terrifying experience for some people. The East Coast experienced the shocks to a much greater extent. Conversing with a reporter, Air J. W. Trolove, of The Shades, said that three distinct earthquakes were experienced, the second one at ten o’clock, while there was a series of jolts. In addition, some damage was done to Airs Trolove’s crockery. Further down the coast, in the neighbourhood of Clarence Bridge, over forty shocks, large and* small, were counted by one settler during the night, and it is reported that one or two residents left their houses. The driver of a car which arrived in Blenheim this morning stated that he had observed several cracks in the road, which he attributed to the earthquakes.