SEVERE EARTHQUAKE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 380, 27 June 1881, Page 2

SEVERE EARTHQUAKE

[by telegraph.] Wellington, Yesterday. A most severe shock of earthquake was felt here at 5.22 this morning. The direction was E. to N., and the vibration continued for some time, a smaller shock being experienced about 6.30 a.m. The ipho&bsreated the greatest excitement in ftowfi, all the brick buildings in the Been examined, but no pergfflbible damage to any has occurred. In or two chimneys were thrown down. The Government offices also suffered, large pieces of plaster haying fallen, and in one office the mantelpiece was carried away. The ceilings of the new police station were also cracked, and in the upper storey several large pieces of plaster fell. Wellington, To-day, No serious damage is reported from the earthquake, although in some large warehouses some light glassware suffered. The shock was felt at Otaki at 5.25, but no damage was done. At the Lower Hutt four chimneys at Mr Biddiford’s house were knocked down. Palmerston North, Yesterday. A terrible shock of earthquake was experienced here this morning at 6.25, which was followed by five or six slight shocks. A considerable amount of damage was done. Nine chimneys out of ten have been carried away, and several windows have been broken. Great excitement prevails in town. Large parties are visiting the ruins, and the Maoris are greatly excited. It is reported that Foxton also suffered severely. Gbbymouth, Yesterday. At a quarter past 5 this morning there were three sharp shocks of earthquake. Some people say that they felt a shock last night shortly after 10 o’clock, but that is not so well verified. New Plymouth, To-day. A smart shock of earthquake, lasting about half a minute, was felt yesterday morning at 5.16. Carterton, To-day. A very severe earthquake occurred at 5.20 yesterday morning. Several chimneys are down, windows broken, and glassware destroyed, especially the latter in the hotels, but nothing serious. Fbathbbstone, To-day. A very severe shock of earthquake occurred at a quarter past 5 yesterday morning. Old settlers say that it is the heaviest felt since 1864. Blenheim, To-day. A rather severe shock of earthquake was experienced yesterday at about 5.20 a.m., and lasted fully a minute; no damage was done. Makton, To-day. A severe shock of earthquake was experienced all through the district on Sunday morning at 5.20 ; no damage was done liere, but a largo number of chimneys were knocked down at Bulls and Feilding. Wanganui, To-day. A very severe shock of earthquake was !elt at 5.23 a.m. on Sunday, and conliderable damage is dene to chimneys and n stores where there was any glassware md crockery. The brick houses in Yanganui have stood all right. It was the everest shook felt for many years, and everal other slight shocks have been felt ince.