EARTHQUAKE FELT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24912, 27 June 1946, Page 4

EARTHQUAKE FELT

Severe Tremor In Christchurch NO REPORTS OF DAMAGE One of the most severe earthquakes felt in Christchurch for many years occurred in the early hours of this morning. Shortly after 12.34 aun. the earthquake, the movement of which was in an east and west direction, began. Suspended objects began to sway violently, and although the worst of the shaking ceased after about half a minute, electrio lights in “The Pres#” Office were still swaying nearly 10 minutes later. No damage was reported in the city, though windows rattled violently. Within a minute or so of the occurrence, numerous calls were received from residents in suburban districts, all of whom reported having felt a violent shock and heard a distinct rumbling. Shortly after the tremors had stopped the Post Office clock in Cathedral square struck twice, and shortly afterwards struck three o’clock.’Reports of clocks having struck were also received from suburban residents. At 1.30 a.m. the Post Office clock struck one, and at that time the large hand was taking approximately two minutes to sweep round the whole dial. Early this morning no reports of any damage to buildings in the city had been received at the Christchurch Police Station. Leeston was shaken violently. Boards in some buildings shook and rattled, but no damage was reported. Much the same feport came from Rangiora, although there the rumbling was heard most distinctly. In Timaru electric light fittings shook violently, and the tremors were felt distinctly. There was little indication of the earthquake at Invercargill, although one report stated that lights were seen swaying. As far as could be ascertained, no interruption anywhere in telephone or telegraph communication was caused. Report From Dunedin At Dunedin the shock was a sharp one. In some neighbourhoods houses were perceptibly snaken, and all suspended objects set in motion. It was reported that although no damage was thought to have occurred, a considerable amount of alarm had been created. At one large hotel in Dunedin guests left their rooms and spent some time in the passages comparing notes on the occurrence. Reports from hill suburbs stated that the shake was accompanied bv the loud rumbling noticed in Christchurch. The earthquake was felt at Greymouth at 12.35 a.m., and was a sharp one, but no damage was reported. Not Felt in Wellington The “Dominion” newspaper, Wellington, reported at 1 a.m., in reply to an inquiry by “The Press,”.that the earthquake had not been felt in Wellington.