THE JAMAICA EARTHQUAKE.

Waikato Independent, Volume V, Issue 326, 19 January 1907, Page 5

THE JAMAICA EARTHQUAKE.

GREAT DESTRUCTION AND LOSS OF LIFE. TERRIBLE STATE OF AFFAIRS AT KINGSTON. [by electric telegraph — copyright! (per press association.) London, January 17. The earthquake shock lasted four minutes, and several additional shocks were felt on Tuesday. Sir James Ferguson, many prominent merchants and professional men, and a great many natives were killed. Falling masonry killed Sir James Ferguson. Everybody has been warned away from Kingston. The stench is awful, and famine is imminent. Scores of bodies were buried for sanitary reasons without identification, and scores of bodies are still not extricated from the ruins. The city is in ruins, and there are 9000 homeless. Received January 18, 9.23 p.m. London, January 18. The Government of Jamaica reports that the earthquake is confined to the parishes of Kingston, Port Royal and St. Andrew. The fire has practically ceased. The district buried comprises the triangular area between Parade Gardens, the sea, and Duke and Princess streets, comprising one-thirteenth of the city. Many wharves have been burned. Negroes are indisposed to assist in clearing, though they have been offered double wages. Fully 340 bodies were buried up, to noon yesterday. The population is encamped in the Parade Gardens, the racecourse and other open spaces. People are reluctant to return to their ruined houses while the weather is fine. Most of the provision shops have been burned. It is difficult to procure provisions, though some persons are pilfering food. t The population is wonderfully patient, though listless. The direct cable has been broken three miles off the coast. Both telegraph offices have been burned. {Received January 18, 10.46 p.m.) London, January 18. Mr Henniker Heaton, telegraphing to the London Times, says that after lunching at the Kingston Club with the Governor and Sir James Fergusson, who had just arrived after visiting the Panama Canal, he (Mr Heaton), accompanied by Mr Cork (a member of the Privy Council), visited the Post Office ; when returning. the earthquake occurred and directly the ground quaked and thousands of people rushed into the streets. A huge building fell across the street a yard before us and another blocked the street behind, a third fell on the left; then absolute darkness ensued, while great clouds of dust and mortar filled the air for about five minutes. When light was restored we found ourselves as black as negroes with dust and dirt. We had a miraculous escape from death. The scene was a terrible one. Women were to be seen embracing children, others were on their knees crying t( Lord have mercy upon us,” and Christ save us,” while others were fainting and some wildly running after their loved ones. On our return we found the Club in ruins, and the dining-room filled with tons of brick from the fallen walls. Received January 19, 7.38 a.m. London, January 18. Mr Henniker Heaton states that within an hour of his parting with Sir James Fergusson the latter was buried under tons of bricks. His not returning to Government House first aroused fears of his fate. t New York telegrams state that the situation from a medical point of view is improving, since the destroyer Whipple arrived. Owing to the camp hospital having only one exit, it proved a death-trap. Private telegrams state that the shores of Kingston Harbour are sinking, and it is feared the city will slip into the sea. The water in the harbour encroached a hundred feet. The wharves are either sinking or have been burned. President Roosevelt and President Fallieres have condoled with King Edward in the terrible misfortune which has overtaken Jamaica.

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