SEVERE EARTHQUAKE.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19451, 15 December 1934, Page 7

SEVERE EARTHQUAKE.

A RAPID JOLTING. CENTRE CLOSE TO WELLINGTONLITTLE DAMAGE REPORTED. WELLINGTON, Friday. A sharp earthquake was felt in Wellington at approximately 8.15 to-night. Its intensity was placed at number six on the Rossi-Forel scale. The shock lasted seven or eight seconds, the effect being a rapid jolting, without any pronounced swing or sway. An official at the Kelburn observatory, where t\Vo instruments were put, out of action by the shock, said he was of opinion that the centre of 'the disturbance was very close to Wellington. Little damage was reported apart from the dislodging of goods in some shops. In most of the picture theatres some people rose to their feet and a few left the buildings. A message from Blenheim says that the shock was felt there,- the direction being north and south, while the force i as about number four. f TWO SHOCKS AT WANGANUI. ONE ACCOMPANIED BY ROAR. WANGANUI, Friday. A sharp earthquake shock was felt in Wanganui at 8.15 to-night, but no damage was reported. The oscillations commenced with a slight tremble and lasted about half a minute. There was a very slight shock here shortly after seven o'clock this evening and a more severe one early yesterday morning. The latter disturbance was accompanied by a roar as if an explosion had occurred. The movement was in Hie nature of a jolt with no swaying motion.