THE LATE EARTHQUAKE AND SEA WAVE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 337, 29 August 1868, Page 2

THE LATE EARTHQUAKE AND SEA WAVE.

The following are further particulars respecting these occurrences : DcwEMir, Saturday, Aug. 15. There hus been a terrific agitation of the -waters at the Bluff. Tho water rose and fell eight or nine times, and tho buoys were washed far up the harbor. At Port Chalmers two ships at the anchorage had their heads completely turned round twice. The water rose eighteen inches in tho hour. At Taieri the tidal wave entered the river and destroyed the punts. The wave was also felt at Oamaru. Monday, Aug. 17. At Otago heads on Saturday a tidal wave rose five feet, and swept on to the shore. The vessels anchored there were swung round. Within two minutes the sea fell, and the tide ebbed seventeen inches. At; Oamaru there was a tremendous surf. The highest wave rose eleven feet, dashed upon the shore and came over the landing place. The wave receded rapidly, and the surf boat was stranded as the sea went back. At Taieri, there was a great rise and fall of the tide, the punt being washed away. A slight shock of earthquake has been felt to-day in Dunedin. It is reported that the shock was more severely felt at Blueskin. Napier, Monday, Aug. 17. Saturday's tide ebbed and flowed every hour; the rise was three to six feet; there is much speculation as to the cause of it. Katapot, August 15. The same thing occured at Kaiapoi, the wave bringing up quantities of timber, and part of a wreck, sunk many years ago, as well as an old ship's tank. The sea is said to have risen two feet for miles along the coast. A telegram states:—At half-past three this morning, a large wave rushed up the river, raising the water five feet. It quickly subsided, and the same eftect has been produced during the day, at intervals varying from fifteen to forty minutes. Several small boats are destroyed, and vessels damaged. We (Welling/on Independent} have been favored with the following particulars of the Earthquake Phenomena experienced on Axigust 17th, throughout New Zealand :

Napier, 9.55 a.m.—Two slight shocks; direction N. to S. Waipukurau, 9.55 a. m. —very strong shock. Castle Point, 9.56 a.m. —Very strong shock, from S. to N. Grey ton, 9.55. —Severe shock. Eeatherston, 9.55. —Severe shock. White's Bay, 9.5". - Revere shock. White's Bay. 9.56|. —A second Shock. Blenheim, 9.55. —Severe shock. Ivaiapoi, 9.s7.—Severe shock, from N, to S. Christchurch, 9.56|. —Strong"shock, from E. to W. Lyttelton, 9.s7.—Strong shock, N. to S., with oscillation of tide. Hokitika, 9.58. —A 7 iolent shock ; also felt at Grey mouth. Port Chalmers, 9.55. —No shock, but oscillation of tide still going on. Nelson, 9.57. —Two smart shocks, so severe, it was deemed prudent by the operator to leave the office; got into the road and felt five or six distinct waves fr )m E. to W.