SWAY WAS FROM EAST TO WEST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18787, 17 June 1929, Page 1

SWAY WAS FROM EAST TO WEST.

MR H. F. SKEY SAYS IT WAS SEVERE ONE. The director of the Observatory in the Gardens, Mr F. H. Skey, viewed the earthquake as a trained observer. He said that he was in the vicinity of Victoria Lake (in Hagley Park) when he became aware that an earthquake was in progress. It began, according to his watch, at nineteen minutes past ten. A minute later the trees began Xf' sway, the motion apparently being from east to west. The next thing was that the wild ducks rose from the lake, being disturbed by the little waves that ruffled the surface of the lake. When he measured the waves they were half an inch high. “The main feature of the earthquake was the swaying of the trees,” Mr Skey added. “It was more severe than the last one in March. People would have f und some difficulty in standing on one leg, but there was no reason why they should not be able to stand on two.” “It was the worst I have felt here, said Mr Skey. “ There was no sudden impulse with it, but the longtitudinal amplitude was very considerable dur ing the maximum. The plains acted as a kind of weaker spring as compared with the more solid ground of the higher country, and the degree of sway was therefore greater.”