WRECK AT RUATOKI

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 256, 10 January 1941, Page 5

WRECK AT RUATOKI

MUCH DAMAGE TO S£ORE LATER REPORTS TO HAND It is reported! from Ruatoki that the 'quake yesterday threw practically the whole of the stock in T. Wilton's store to the floor, which in parts was knee deep in goods of every description.

Considerable damage was also done to fittings and perishable goods were destroyed. As in other parts of the district chimneys were shaken downt and much minor damage suffered by householders. At Edgecumbe employees of the Dairy Company state that the walls of the building reeled and in several instances rooms actually changed shape before going back to the original position. Paper Mills Suffer. Pillars supporting the tux-bines at the Whakatane Paper Mills are reported to have been cracked, while the tall chimney stack was seen to sway ominously. Painting and cleaning operations are in progress at the mills, and one Maori on a high scaffolding received such a shock that he dropped, his paint pot and brush and clung desperately to the wall. MANY SLIPS OCCUR FISSURES IN ROADWAY RESULT OF 'QUAKE 0* 4 Following the severe earthquake yesterday afternoon numerous slips are reported from different parts of the County. In Whakatane itself minor ones occurred at Hillcrest, while a more substantial one took place from the hillside above the residence of Mr W. Tennant, Commerce Street.

On the Ohope road a further large slip occurred on the winding road to the beach approach while several small lissures opened on the road surface. Similar craclvs are reported to be discernable on the Taneatua road.

Later reports from Ruatoki indicate that Middlemiss' store also suffered from loss of damaged stock, while there are several chimneys down in that district also.

A series of tremors occurred last night and were felt in many parts of the district but they were of an insignificant nature and caused little alarm.