Earthquake

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXV, Issue 4696, 11 August 1904, Page 1

Earthquake

An Unprecedented Shock. Great Damage to Property. Latest Details. WAIPAWA DISTRICT. Latest reports to hand from the surrounding districts show that Tuesday’s shock was severely felt and that great damage was done to chimneys, which have been levelled in all directions. Fortunately no accidents have occurred. The full force of the shock was experienced in the Blackburn district, where the buildings suffered considerable damage. Several persons were hurled to the ground and bricks from the falling chimneys were thrown a great distance.

NAPIER. (Own Correspondent) At 10.23 on Tuesday morning Napier experienced the sharpest shock of earthquake that has been felt for many years. The shake wa3 quite startling in its effects. Beginning with a slight movement the force grew in intensity until the town was rocking and swaying, and it seemed as thought a catastrophe was imminent. The duration must have been fully two minutes, and the direction from north-west to south-east, while a dull rumbling sound accompanied the general upheaval. The main streets were quickly filled with people, a general exodus being made from the buildings. The prolonged shake rudely interrupted business, and the schools were quickly emptied of their inmates. Tennyson-street was blocked with people, and the shaking buildings and quivering humanity was distinctly weird. The hundreds of people who were on the Marine Parade when the shake was in progress saw a portion of the Bluff cliff a little distance from the drill-shed fall, and a great cloud of dust arose from the debris. On turning in the direction of the Kidnappers clouds of dust could be seen ascending all along the beach from Clifton station to the point, showing that there also large quantities of stone, etc., must have fallen. At the very end of the Cape an enormous amount of spoil must have been dislodged by the shock as for fully ten minutes after the commotion the rising dust gave the impression that a new volcano had sprung into existence at this spot. A number of people who were on the breakwater road at the time of the shake will never forget the sensation which they felt, particularly those who were in close proximity to where the fall of earth occurred. Several persons in the immediate vicinity—a cabman named Mclvor, a cyclist and three or four pedestrians—were extremely fortunate in escaping with their lives. The cabman was just approaching the place where the fall occurred when he saw a stone coming down, but his horse being a young one, he was unable to pull it up and turn back. Frightened by the stone the animal commenced to play up and when the debris started to come down in real earnest its plungings were so violent that the driver was thrown on to the kerb of the footpath and the wheels of the vehicle passed over both his ankles. The pedestrians and cyclist at the first sign of coming danger took to their heels, leaped the wall, and got as near the sea as possible. The reports received from all quarters show that damage amounting to hundreds of pounds has been done, but it is impossible to enumerate or give all the details. The principal damage resulted to chimneys in all parts of the town, a large number of which came down, in some cases falling through the roofs, while hundreds which were not demolished sustained cracks and other damage which will necessitate them being pulled down and reconstructed. Probably the most extensive loss in this connection occurred on the hills, where according to the occupants the residences rocked like ships in a storm. At many of the houses on Colenso Hill the chimneys have been completely destroyed, while in the town numerous instances of similar damage are recorded. One chimney on Nesbitt and Co.’s shop attracted considerable attention. Prior to the shake it was facing Hastings-street but afterwards it had a complete half turn, presenting a very odd appearance. The large smoke stack at Holt’s mill suffered, there being a crack about 12 feet from the top. Mr Henry Williams’ residence at Ashridge, Taradale, is reported to have been very hardly dealt with. Every chimney in the house was razed, while even the fireplaces were displaced by the force of the shock and falling bricks. The proprietors of establishments containing anything of a breakable nature will have cause to remember the occurrence, as their stocks were considerably diminished by breakages. Messrs Warroll and Co. were, perhaps, the greatest sufferers in this respect, a large quantity of their crockery and glassware being smashed to atoms, but the grocers, chemists, and hotelkeepers all sustained damage to a certain extent. Messrs Henry Williams and Sons also suffered severely. Although statements were current that the Cathedral had been damaged an examination of the structure showed that it escaped

injury, while the new Government building successfully stood the severe test. (Per Press Association) DANNEVIRKE. Two terrible shocks of earthquake occurred at 10.22 this morning. The morning was beautifully fine and the sun was shining brilliantly in a clear sky after a heavy frost. The first shock was without warning, and appeared to be of a rotatory character, sufficiently strong to drive people out of their houses. The second shock then came on, and the noise of falling chimneys and glass was heard in all directions. During the shook it was difficult to keep on one's feet, and the earth appeared for a time to have partaken of the nature of a wavy sea. Great damage has been caused. Chimneys are down in all directions. Stocks of a frail character were injured. Brick walls were damaged. So far no accidents are reported, but many persons have suffered from the terrifying nature of the shock. HASTINGS.

Two consecutive earthquakes took place, the latter being the most violent every experienced here. The two lasted one and a half minutes. The direction was west to east. They occurred at 10.21 a.m. People rushed into the streets in alarm. Chimneys cracked and buildings were strained, but no other damage is reported beyond broken windows and crockery. WAIROA. A severe and prolonged earthquake was felt here, lasting from 10.22 to 10.25, with a direction at first north and south and then east and west. The earth and trees visibly rocked and small articles in shops were thrown down. No other damage is reported. ORMONDVILLE. A most terrific shock of earthquake was experienced in the Ormondville, Norsewood and Makotuku districts at about 10.25 on Tuesday morning, whereby a very large amount of damage has been done. Very few chimneys are left standing, and not only in stores but in private houses sad havoc has been caused. In more than one instance narrow escapes from severe injury, if not actual death,from falling bricks, etc., are recorded. WELLINGTON. The most formidable earthquake experienced in Wellington for many years occurred at 10.20. A shake of the usual kind was followed by a vigorous shock that sent people flying out of their houses in dread that there might be worse to follow. Anything loose began to fall, chimneys came down, and the Government Life Insurance building, which has suffered before, sent a shower of stones and bricks from the gables on to the pavements and adjoining roofs The main tower is considered to be unsafe, and the plaster of the interior of the building suffered considerably. The Town Hall and other large edifices in course of erection stood the ordeal well. Smith and Co. had £BOO worth of plate glass smashed in their warehouse. Mills and Co., ironmongers, had a number of ranges thrown down and broken. The water in the harbour was not affected, but vessels quivered a good deal. There were many inquiries during the day as to what might have happened in the Hot Lakes country, especially at Waimangu, and some relief, and astonishment too, were expressed when it was found that the shock had scarcely been felt there.

Latek The damage done by the earthquake was very extensive. The public library building, which was damaged by a previous earthquake, is thrown out of plumb with the adjoining building, and the roof and walls are extensively cracked. It is feared that the greater part of the building will have to be demolished.

Parliament buildings and the new railway buildings suffered damage, plaster coming down. Chimneys are down in scores all over the town. Quite a number of women fainted, and the streets in the residential parts of the town were filled with women and children who rushed out of the houses. Most of the hotels suffered heavily in the bars, bottles being shaken off the shelves. A number of brick houses were cracked, hundreds of windows broken, and considerable damage done to crockery and glassware in private houses. NELSON. A prolonged shock of earthquake, lasting a minute or more, was experienced at 10.25 a.m., the direction

being northerly and southerly. Chimney’s rocked and crookery rattled, but no damage has yet boen reported. The earthquake was preceded and accompanied by a roaring sound. WANGANUI. One of the heaviest earthquakes ever experienced in the memory of the oldest inhabitant was felt here at 10.22 this morning, the direction being from the north-west to the southeast. The tremor lasted at least for three minutes after the first shock, which was preceded by a sound like a heavy explosion. Many people rushed into the streets, expecting the buildings to collapse. A number of chimneys fell and slight damage was done in several shops and private dwellings. The water in the river at the railway bridge rose and receded several inches. BLENHEIM. A prolonged earthquake shock was experienced at 10.22 this morning. NEW PLYMOUTH. A sharp shock of earthquake occurred at 10.25 this morning, the direction being from east to west. HAWERA. A very heavy earthquake shock occurred at 10.22 this morning, lasting half a minute, the longest ever felt here. The town clock stopped. WESTPORT. A prolonged shock of earthquake was felt at 10.25 a.m. WAKAPUAKA.

A sharp shock of earthquake was felt at 10.22 this morning, the direction being north to south. GREYMOUTH. A very severe shock of earthquake was experienced at 10.23 this morning, buildings and crockery rattling to the general alarm, but no damage has been recorded. MARTON. A severe and prolonged shock of earthquake was felt in this district at 10.24 a.m., the direction being apparently from north to south. HOKITIKA. A smart shock of earthquake was felt at 10.30. It was of considerable duration. CHRISTCHURCH. The earthquake shock was felt here at 10.22 a.m., the maximum movement lasting about ten minutes. PALMERSTON N. The sharpest shock of earthquake for twenty-four years occurred at 10.20. The oscillation continued for fully a minute and a half, and as it progressed there was a general stampede from busisness premises to the open ground. Trees, telegraph poles, and chimneys swayed very perceptibly, and earth tremors were distinguishable for some time after the main shock closed. AUCKLAND. A slight shock of earthquake was felt here just before 10.30. GISBORNE. A particularly severe earthquake was experienced here at 10.25. It was of long duration, and the heaviest since 1898. People rushed out of the houses.

ASHBURTON. A slight shock of earthquake was felt at 10.22. TIMARU. A slight shock of earthquake was felt here. TRAINS DELAYED. A subsidence of the approaches on each side of the Kopua viaduct, between Takapau and Ormondville, caused a delay of three hours to the mail train from Napier to Wellington. Telegraphic communication being interrupted, the trains from the south could not be instructed to come on, and therefore waited at the usual crossing places. All the trains were thus proportionately late in arriving. PAHIATUA. Three very pronounced earthquake shocks, preceded in each instance by earth tremors, were felt at about 10.22 on Tuesday morning. People rushed into the streets, so great was the consternation among them. Brick walls were opened in several buildings, and glassware and crockery was smashed. MASTERTON. A heavy earth shake was experienced here at 10.21 on Tuesday morning, alarming the whole community. Chimneys were levelled to the ground in all directions. Grocers’ and chemists’ shops are a confused mass of broken bottles and glass. The post office and a number of other brick buildings have been damaged, some seriously. The shock lasted about one minute. FEILDING. The heaviest earthquake known for many years was experienced here at 10.22, on Tuesday morning. The shock lasted one minute and a half and the direction was east to west. Considerable damage was done to stores. The top wall of Watchorn’s shop collapsed and several buildings were cracked. A general rush was made by the inhabitants for the streets. WOODVILLE. The most violent earthquake ever experienced here occurred at 10.22 a.m. It lasted over a minute and was accompanied by a terrific report, which caused a great panic in the town, people all leaving their houses. Bricks were knocked off several chimneys and windows were broken but no serious damage is reported. The big buildings and chimneys withstood the shock very well. The plaster has come down in almost every upstairs room in our new post office. CASTLEPOINT. The postmaster at Castlepoint reports that within a radius of about half a mile the earth has been cracked as the result of the earthquake, in several directions from an inch to 1J

inches in width. In several places from a bucket to two bucketsful of mud was thrown out, and the natives say it is similar to that thrown up at Taupo. From the mouth of the Whakataki stream for a mile up the water was very thick and disturbed, but beyond that it was perfectly clear. (Own Correspondents) HATUMA. The earthquake was severely felt thoroughout the settlement, and many chimneys were either thrown down or badly damaged. The homestead suffered severely as all the chimneys in the Mansion house, manager’s house and cottage are wrecked. One in its fall smashed the roof and verandah of the Mansion house. PORANGAHAU. The earthquake was the most violent ever experienced by residents here ; only three chimneys are standing in the township. Water tanks were destroyed, and there was general destruction of property. TAKAPAU. The severest earthquake ever felt at Takapau was experienced at 10.21 a.m. on Tuesday. Considerable damage was done to the hotel, two chimneys being dismantled and another badly damaged. Mr Ellingham’s chimney was dismantled, several others in the township were cracked, and crockery in nearly every house was broken. Messrs Prescott, Maudsley, and Blair Buffer considerably. At Oruawharo three chimneys are down.

Interview With Mr G. Hogben. A member of the Herald staff interviewed Mr G. Hogben, Secretary for Education, who is at present residing in Napier. Mr Hogben is an enthusiastic student of seismology, and was for some time a member of the permanent committee of the International Seismological Society. “ Earthquakes,” said Mr Hogben, “ are generally admitted to be caused by a sliding or crushing of rocks at a comparatively great depth below the earth’s service. The slide takes place along a line of fault, which will extend over some distance, although the actual movement may commence at one end of the line. From this line of fault below the surface, earth tremors will radiate in all directions, but with most force on the side on which the rock masses may be supposed to have fallen away 11 These faults, it may be said, have no necessary connection with the local geological faults on the earth’s surface. There is a point below the surface know as the level of no strain, and which is placed at a depth of about two miles. Above this there will take place a crumpling of rock, below it a crushing. Most of the earth disturbances take place below this level. “ It is too soon to speak with any certainty of the point of origin of the recent shake. No reliable estimate can be formed till I have the exact official times at which the disturbances commenced at different points. The telegraph officials have instructions to furnish these to me regularly. I have already received some, but not with any detail. The general result of my observations points to a centre in the direction of south and east. It should be noted that most people make an error in judging the direction. The earth movement comes in a direction opposite to that in which the objects fall, the ground moving away from them. It has been found that pictures and clocks furnish the most useful tests of direction, and objects that are free to fall in any way. That is a point that one has to be sure about, for most objects do not fall freely. “ It is quite possible that it will be found that the centre of this disturbance is not far distant from that of the earthquake of 1890. That was observed from Tauranga to Blenheim, and its point of origin was a possible fault below the ocean bed running 15 or 20 miles each way W.S.W. and E.B.E. from a point 179 deg 49min W. and 40 deg 54 mid S., or about 280 miles from Wellington and 198 miles from Napier. Several shakes have had their centre in that neighbourhood.

11 It is quite impossible to foretell an earthquake at present, and those people who pretend to prophecy about them are blind leaders of the blind. It is, however, possible that some day a certain amount of prediction may be possible with our delicate instruments, but not, I am afraid, sufficient to be of any practical importance. “The earthquakes of New Zealand are not very serious affairs. On the average, they are very slight. A scale known as the Rossi-Forel scale has been drawn up, giving ten grades. The average for New Zealand is the fourth. The shock this morning is about the sixth grade on the scale. The acceleration to movement given by these various grades of earth movements have been calculated. The first is represented by the figure 20, the fourth by 80, the sixth by 200, the tenth by 1200. The acceleration given by force of gravitation is 9600.

“I have heard that at Taradale cracks were formed, which exuded fine silt or gravel. That is purely a Burface phenonemon, and is common in earthquakes of certain force. I have received a telegram stating that at Castlepoint several fissures were caused in the earth, blue mud and water escaping in quite a warm state.”