Westport Post Office In Ruins.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18787, 17 June 1929, Page 11

Westport Post Office In Ruins.

EVERY CHIMNEY DOWN, SAYS RADIO MESSAGE SENT BY STEAMER.

(Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, June 17.

Telegraphic communication by land being impossible the Chief Postmaster at Westport utilised the steamer Trewyn's radio to inform the Secretary of the Department as follows: “A disastrous earthquake demolished the Post Office tower about 10.15. Other parte of the building collapsed. No one was injured. The works engineer considers that the building is damaged beyond repair. Much damage was done to property in the town, practically no chimneys being left standing.’*

RAILWAY DAMAGED AT GLENHOPE STATION. Per Press Association. NELSON, June 17. There are big fissures in the ground at Glenhope and the railway line is twisted in all directions. AT OTHER PLACES. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, June 17. A sharp earthquake was felt at 10.20, but lasted only a few seconds. No damage is reported. DANNEVTRKE, June 17. The longest and most severe earthquake experienced in Dannevirke for very many years started about 10.21 this morning and lasted about three minutes. The oscillation was fairly severe and the rocking motion was like being at sea. People vacated places of business and watched them perceptibly rocking. Fortunately there was no jerk and no damage is reported. PALMERSTON NORTH, June 17. An earthquake of unusual length and type occurred at 10.20. Buildings commenced to sway, and then the sway developed in intensity and gradually lessened. The ground had a perceptible movement. The clocks were stopped but no damage is reported due to the absence of violent oscillation. Workmen on scaffolding buildings left, while many people vacated their homes and business premises. AUCKLAND, June 17. A prolonged earthquake in the city and suburbs at 10.20 a.m. caused oscillation in all large buildings, but no damage. NAPIER, June 17. At 10.20 this morning, Napier experienced a prolonged rotating earthquake of several minutes’ duration, the effect being like the movement of a ship at sea. No damage is reported. PUKEKOHE, June 17. A sharp earthquake was felt at Pukekohe at 10.21 this morning. A number of people report having experienced a sickly feeling a few minutes beforehand. TAURANGRA, June 17. An earthquake shock was felt at 10.30, with a prolonged, gentle swaying movement. OTAKI, June 17. An earthquake lasting some time occurred at twenty past ten. There was a big swaying motion. Electric machinery was put out of action. OAMARU, June 17. There was a slight earthquake tremor here at 10.30. ASHBURTON, June 17. A pronounced earthquake, lasting forty seconds, with a direction of north to south, occurred at 10.20 this morning. No damage is reported. CARTERTON, June 17. A very long earthquake was experienced at Carterton at 10.25 this morning. There was a slight tremor at first, and then it worked up to a fairly strong movement, gradually dying away. There was no damage. WHANGAREI, June 17. A slight earthquake tremor was reported this morning, approximately at the time that the 'quake occurred in other parts of New Zealand. This is the first time that such an incident has occurred in the north. HAMILTON. June 17 An earthquake with a long, swinging motion was felt in Hamilton at 1021 this morning, and lasted over a minute. The rocking gave many people a feeling of sickness. No damage is reported. Many townspeople rushed into the streets. WAIPUKURAU, June 17. An exceptionally severe and prolonged earthquake shock was experienced at 10.19 this morning. Many people left their homes and shops, rushing into the streets, where the earth appeared to heave convulsively. Street lamps, etc., swayed violently. WOODVILLE. June 17. An earthquake of fully one minute’s duration occurred at Woodville at 10.20 this morning. The movement was of sustained violence, and buildings and motor-cars swayed to and fro. Residents rushed into the streets. No actual damage is reported. HASTINGS, June 17. At 10.20 this morning a steady swinging earthquake from north-west to south-east was experienced, lasting about two minutes. The Post Office and some other large clocks were stopped and water swished over the railway tanks. The top of the mast at the Post Office tower seemed to swing a foot on either side. People ran into the streets from shops and offices, more through curiosity than fear, as the movement was rcguTar No damage is reported.

NEW PLYMOUTH, June 17. The most prolonged and severe earthquake for many years shook New Plymouth and district for about three minutes, commencing approximately at 10.18 a.m. It began gently and increased to a force which made the earth heave and buildings sway alarmingly. A number of chimneys fell and other minor damage Was done. It came apparently from the south. Inglewood reports a similar experience, 10.17 being given as the time of the commencement. Waitara was also severely shaken. ROTORUA, June 17. A slight earth tremor was felt at Rotorua at 10.20, and there was considerable disturbance on the Utahina Stream, two miles from the town. No damage is reported. Taupo reports a mild shock lasting eight minutes. MARTON, June 17. An eerie sensation was experienced at about 10.20, when an earthquake rocked buildings for over a minute. A very faint rumble was heard. The shaking was continuous, and the ground seemed to roll like the deck of a ship in a slight swell. Shopkeepers and occupants of houses gathered on the streets. NORTH CANTERBURY. No damage is reported from Kaiapoi or Rangiora.

EARTHQUAKE DID NOT DERAIL TRAIN.

ENGINE CAME OFF AT HORNBY WHILE SHUNTING

This morning’s earthquake has been blamed for many things, but it cannnot be held responsible for the derailment of a railway engine at Hornby. This engine, which was drawing the Southbridge passenger train to Christchurch, came off he rails during shunting at Hornby. A delay of half an hour took place, but the engine was soon jacked back on to the track. The accident happened fullj r an hour before the earthquake occurred, the time being 9.10 a.m.

200 SACKS OF PEAS FALL IN GRAIN STORE.

Electric current was cut off at Lyttelton for about half an hour. The running of the electric trains was not affected.

A labourer who ■was working at Messrs Rhind and Co.’s store in Norwich Quay reported that the ’quake shook down a stack of about 200 sacks of peas. “The beams and supports creaked and shook so much that I was glad to get out of the show,” he stated.

So far no reports of any broken sewers have been received, but the Lyttelton borough engineer (Mr H. H. Barnard) stated this morning that he fully expected some of them to be damaged after such a severe shake.

Damage at the Normal School. The children attending the Normal School were very frightened, and some of them were so ill afterwards that they had to lie down, being unable to continue their work. When the shock began the teachers, at first, refused to let the children go out, but when it continued they were allowed to go. Cracks appeared in the plaster of - several rooms, and bricks fell from the wall. A number of windows were broken. The children were most frightened when the plaster cracked, and fixtures to the walls fell down. In some of the rooms all the blackboards and pictures fell, and the boys had to assist in clearing up the mess. The roof made a most terrifying noise with ominous creaks that drowned the shrieks of the girls. In one case at least a door jammed so tight that considerable difficulty was experienced in opening it to let the pupils out.

The telegraph lines to the south were unaffected, but the north line, between Amberlev and Kaikoura, was damaged. A substitute line was put into action, and faulty telephone communication was established. The telegraph lines between Grey mouth and Nelson were also put out of action, and damage was also done in the Blenheim district.