SEVERE EARTHQUAKES

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 42, 13 November 1926, Page 8

SEVERE EARTHQUAKES

PEOPLE RUSH TO THE STREETS

MUCH DAMAGE TO PROPERTY

Dominion Special.

Auckland, November 12.

A’ severe earthquake, perhaps the most severe yet felt in Moirinsville, shook the town at nine o’clock this morning. The shock was accompanied by a loud rumble. Buildings shook, loose things on the shelves jazzed, and much crockery was broken. For a few moments the people were terrified and rushed into the streets. Some of the concrete buildings are now showing large cracks, while several of the weaker chimneys were brought down. A few minutes'after the first shock a slight tremor was felt, while another shorter but more severe shock was felt at 10.21. Two plateglass windows were completely smashed, and others cracked. Shop# are littered with broken glass, crockery, and bottles. Pictures in the houses were dashed to the floor. When the people riished frantically into the streets at least one humorous touch was supplied by the sight of a barber tearing out with a shaving brush in his hand followed closely by . a customer with a towel round his neck. As the result of the last severe shake the soldiers’ memorial in Howie Park is in a dangerous position. _ -The “needle” was displaced several inches from its tone position, while two other blocks of granite are slightly out of place. Several cracks have also appeared on the face of the. monument. Later on a third and then a fourth shock followed.. The heaviest, at 10,25, did further considerable damage. The new' bank buildings were cracked and more windows broken in the. shops, while more chimneys came down..' At Castle Hotel about £2OO worth of bottled spirits, champagne, etc., fell from the shelves and there was a general exodus from the bar, which was soon emptied. At the local brewery tanks were burst,, but the extent of the dam-, age there is not yet known. The quakes have caused much excitement, and . nothing else is being talked of. A little time after the fourth shock a fifth tremor was felt. Another severe shake was felt at 12.40. followed, by a mild cine ten minutes later, making a total of seven.SHOCKS AT HAMILTON BT .TeiiEgsaph.—Press association Hamilton, November 12. Four earthquake shocks were felt at Hamilton to-dav, at 9 a.m., 10.20 a.m., 11.30 a.m,, and 1 p.m. respectively. No damage was done.