NEWS IN ENGLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 30, 5 February 1931, Page 8

NEWS IN ENGLAND

THE OFFICIAL MESSAGE

(British Official Wlrelesi.) EUGBY, 3rd February. A. disastrous earthquake causing extenslvo, loss 'of life and' immense dam-' age has occurred iii"tho district of Hawkos Bay, in the North Island of New; Zealand. The centre of,; inton-. si.ty-.wastho towns' of Napior and. Hastings, which have a' combined population of about 30,000. ■■ Many deaths were caused by falling buildings and fire, which speedily broko out. The casualties, it is feared, number hundreds^ but reliable estimates so far aro unavailable." The shock occurred at 10.50 this morning, local time, and continued for a considerable period. Napier and Hastings were laid in ruins, houses and bridges failing, landslides, sweeping away, railways, and telegraph and telephone lines being torn down. Bluff Hill, an imposing cliff at Napier, fell into the; sea, and the Eangitikei Kiver in tho'back country is blocked by landslides. • Simultaneously with the outbreak oil iiro in the towns all watev supplies were cut off by the breaking of the mains. ■. The naval sloop Veronica was in Napier' harbour. Her captain; Commander 11. C. Morgan, immediately landed, taking relief parties ts the stricken town, and assuming charge of the reHeuo work. He found many parts of the town blazing fiercely, practically all stone and brick buildings destroyed, and heavy casualties among a populace stunned by disaster. "With assistance from other vessels, ho organised temporary hospitals and food depots, and, where possible, shelter, for the homeless, many of the most needy refugees being taken aboard 'the Veronica and other shipping. In Hastings, 20 miles from Napior, similar conditions prevailed, and the casualties are believed to be heavy. • Gisborne is also stated to have suffered, but.it is believed that no appreciable damage oacurred in districts other than parts of Hawkes Bay. Immediately radio messages from Napier were received, help was rushed to the Hawkes Bay area by land, sea, and .air., The craisers H.M.S. Dunedin and Diomede, with ■ doctors, nurses, medical stores, and food, left Auckland, 375 miles distant, at full speed, and will reach Hawkes Bay early tomorrow morning. Commodore- Geoffrey Blake, Officer- Commanding: the New Zealand Squadron, is on the Dunedin.