EARTHQUAKE FELT IN WANGANUI

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 May 1947, Page 4

EARTHQUAKE FELT IN WANGANUI

ALARM CAUSED, BUT NO DAMAGE WAS DONE Women in shops and on the streets fainted when, for more than a minute yesterday afternoon, Wanganui was rocked by a sharp earthquake. Apart, from a broken plate-glass window, no damage was done, however. Due notice was given at 2.6 p.m. when a rumbling sound, accompanied by a swaying motion, was heard. Next minute there was a sharp jolt, and building - .; were still vibrating when tour op five seconds afterwards there was an even sharper shake. Tremors continued for the best part of a minute after the second spasm. Many people went scurrying from indoors, but the worst was over before many of them reached the streets. Several women fainted, and in some cases there was panic, but by and large the majority ot the people took the visitation calmly. Theatre managers report that patrons sat quietly throughout the shake, and few of them showed any signs ol being perturbed. Divers opinions on the severity ot the shake have been expressed. Some stated that it was "nothing outstanding.” One young fellow who was bounding up a flight of stairs at the time did not know there was an earthquake in progress until it was almost over. One resident in Wanganui said the shake Xvas as severe as Wanganui has felt since the Napier one of 1931, but not of such duration. In his opinion it was not as violent as the Wairarapa shake. NO DAMAGE OR PANIC IN OHAKUNE (O C.) Ohakupe, May 5. Ohakune felt the earthquake almost as severely as did Wanganui. There was no damage and no panic there. The ’’Chronicle” correspondent at Ohakune confirmed that the movement was in a westerly direction. Ruapehu has been obscured for some time, but apparently has been fairly quiet. Taihape: Taihape was shaken by sharp earthquake tremor at 2.15 this (Monday) afternoon, writes the “Chronicle’s" Taihape correspondent. It was ot n swaying motion, but did not cause undue alarm.