A Sensational Occurrence.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXII, Issue 3875, 18 May 1906, Page 3

A Sensational Occurrence.

EARTH SUBSIDES AT NEW

CASTLE,

SEVERAL RESIDENCES RUINED

Sydney, May 16. A sensational subsidence*occurred at Newcastle last night. Shepherd’s Hill, which forms one of the most favoured residential sites, occupies a position adjacent to the underground workings of the Scapit. coal mine. It is surmised that a creep has taken place in some portions of the workings, causing the surface to be rent and buckled. About three hundred acres suffered. Terrace-street is considerably affected by the subsidence.

The houses there are mostly brick, and every one of them is more or less damaged, while the water and gas mains are twisted and broken. .Residents of the hill felt tbe earth trembling, tbe effect being most severe about half way up Ten acestreet. Walls and bouses were thrown out of plumb, cracks ranging up two inches wide. The lawns and back yards were lined with crevices. The residents quickly evacuated their homes, many seeking refuge with relative# or in hotels in the city. The masonry of the forts cracked in places and much injuiry is done to tbe gun mountings. IS Viewed from any point it seemed as if tbe whole bill bad lost its foundations and subsided a couple of inches.

The rupture of the water mains drained a high pressure tank containing several thousand gallons on Apetu Hill. The water did not come to the surface, but found its way underground. A fur tber subsidence is feared.

May 17. No further movement is noticeable at Shepherd’s Hill. The subsidiary reservoir has been emptied, and is so badly damaged as to probably be unfit for fun her use. A weak spot has been discovered in tbe sea pit mine, and the men and horses |have been withdrawn.

Tbe great Cobar copper mine has been sold to an English syndicate for £8,000,000.