SEVERE EARTHQUAKE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 956, 13 August 1880, Page 3

SEVERE EARTHQUAKE.

■ ■■■-- (Wanganui Adminicle.)The heaviest earthquake which, we believe has ever been experienced, in Wanganui occurred at about 10 minutes past 5 o’clock, on July 28th, The weather at the time was cloudy and threatening, and the temperature moderately warm. There was scarcely a breath of wind stirring. The shock, which in our opinion travelled from about HE to S W., was proceeded by a rumbling sound, which although not noticed by all, was very perceptible to some. The shaking was very violent, and continued for about a minute, when it gradually died away. In a great many instances people rushed from iheir houses into the streets, fearing lest the chimneys should fall down, a casualty which actually happened at SergeaiitiMajor Bezar’s residence. Throughout the town the .buildings fairly rattled and creaked, and trees- and shrubs were shaken as though by ajviolentgale. Numerous clocks stopped, and there was considerable breakage amongst bottles ami crockery standing on shelves. We are glad to say that no tidings - 'of more serious damage have reached us. As soon as the shock was over the piikakas could be plainly heard on the other side of the liver crying out lustily. For some reason, at present unknown to us, we received no telegrams last night from the Wellington, office, - and we arc ■ therefore 1 unable' to say whether the earthquake extended ovoi'a large area and whether it did any damage in other parts of the colony.