“ THE FLOOR ROCKED IN COURT TO-DAY.”

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

“ THE FLOOR ROCKED IN COURT TO-DAY.”

MAGISTRATE DECIDES TO LEAVE BENCH, SO OTHERS QUIT ROOM.

There was surprise, and consternation written on the women's faces in the Magistrate’s Court, where Mr H. P. La wry, S.M., was engaged in hearing a long list of maintenance and affiliation cases. Looks of interest, curiosity, amusement, and, in a few cases, of apprehension changed to startled surprise as the floor rocked and the chandelier pendant from the ceiling began to swing backward and forward in quick, jerky sweeps.

“Earthquake!” was heard in startled whispers from the back of the court, and people began to remember that stone buildings with high walls are not the safest havens when the earth begins to. rock and tremble. Instinctively those in court looked to the' Magistrate Mr Lawry, when he realised what was amiss, smiled. He then arose unhurriedly and quietly left the court, followed by the court orderly. The people in the crowded benches at the back of the court behaved very well Following the lead of the Magistrate, they arose and left the building, in excellent order. A sprinkling of solicitors and pressmen stayed in the court right through the ’quake. As soon as the tremors died away the court was resumed as though nothing had happened. v While the shock was in progress the river bank and the road outside were lined with people from the building, who enjoyed the unusual scene of a stone building rocking, cars running a few feet back and forth apparently of their own volition, and, last but not least, the effect that the occurrence had upon the people round about. The only evidence remaining in the Maintenance Court when the shock had passed was provided by the clock, which stopped at the first tremor, the hands pointing to 10.18.