THE REGENT EARTHQUAKE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1943, 13 September 1888, Page 2

THE REGENT EARTHQUAKE.

« -•"-: (per press association.) Wellington, September 12. Mr Gordon, Inspecting Engiueer of the Klines Department, was despatched South ome days ago, to acquire and report on be result of the eartnquake Id the Soath island, with raoro immediate refereooe to he probable effects upon the concrete jaths proposed to be erected at Hanmer Plains He ascertained that no damage bad bßen oaaaed Id ihe immediate vloiaity 3f tbo Springs, and saw no reason why the works m contemplation ahoald not be proceeded with. Jadging from all that tie saw and heard, Mr Gordon concludes that the earthquake was due rather to ohemioal than to direot volcanla action, aod that tbe seat of the disturbance was some where m a triangle that would be described bet weeu Like Suruaer, Glenn vVje and CUnnibal Gorge. The reason why the ohookß were felt with particular Beverity m some parts would be that most of the stations affected-are situated on a line of known Unit m the earth. Mr Gordon thinks that the gradual upheaval of a molten dyke through the upper strata of rooks would aooouot for the rumbling subterranean sounds which were beard m the district for some weeks prior to the disturbance, aud that the aotlon of the tiery mass m liberating gases and oauaing their explosion, would sufficiently acoount for the rent which oaused the earthquake. Immense volumes of sulphurated hydrogen gas, whioh were apparent to residents m the disturbed region during the prevalence of the tremors, would appear to nupport this theory.