PREVIOUS SHAKES

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

PREVIOUS SHAKES

MAXY OF THEM BUT SMALL DE^TH-ROLL

The first European .to feel an,earthi quake "in New Zealand was Captain Furncaux, who recorded one "on 11th May, 1773J when he'was in'th&;vleinity of Stephens Island. The Maoris ha,ve no reliable'jdata about big earthquakes in New Zealand, although it must r be presumed that they experienced tl\em periodically, before the advent of the white man. Sinco the settlement; of New Zealand by white men there have been several big shocks recorded, but until the Murchison earthquake of June before last the death-roll amounted, to seven only. Tho Murchison earthquake, which caused 17 deaths, brought the total death-roll to 24 over a period" of nearly 100 years. In its -early days, ia October, 1848, Wellington was shaken badly for two days on end, and three- peoplo weie killed by a falling wall. On 23rd January, 1855, an even worse shake occurred. The coast line around Welliiigtoii was raised, several feet, and great damage was dono to buildings. There was only one death," howcvci, that being caused by a falling chimney. On lGth November, 1901, a child w,ls killed by an earthquake at Cheviot. On 12th April, 1913, an earthquake) at Masterton brought down part of the; Post Office, and falling material killed a Maori. The Gisborne earthquake, ef 7th October, 1914, killed a shepherd. These were the seven deaths prior to the Murchison earthquake of June, 1929., This catastrophe,- with its seventeen deaths, is still; fresh in tho minds of 'everybody. There have been many other sevcro earthquakes in New Zealand, but these fortunately have not been attended by any loss of lifej ■ Amongst, these may be cited the following:— February, 1863: The south-east coast of the North Island badly shaken. December, 1881: Canterbury shaken, with slight damage.' to.'.: CKristchurch Cathedral.-., ■ June, 1886:" Earthquakes in connection with the eruption .of Mount Tarawera. ' '.■"'" September, 1888: Severe shake "in Canterbury; spire of .Christchuxch Cathedral damaged, and shock very intense in the Amuri district. In December of that year.Canterbury was again severely • shaken, but no damage was done. ' June, 1891: Severe shock, with damage, to buildings, at ; Eaglan and Kawhia. February, 1893.: Severe shock in the Nelson district, with damage to buildings. '■'.'■ September to October, 1897: Series of shocks at Taupo. ■ '. . December, 1897: A severe shake felt from Cook Strait to Wanganui,- some buildings being damaged. 'August, 1904: Wellington badly shaken. ■ ; ■:' ...' Juno and; July, 1922: Alarming aeries of shocks at TaupoV ' December, 119^2: ■■'' A .very intense shock'at Cheviot;-which brought practically every chimney.; to the ground. May, 1927: Severe jolt, at ißainh'am, Nelson. - ■ ■ March, 1929: Big shakbj folt practically alll over New Zealand, centred at ■Arthur's' Pass. - : ,■.'■:■. :- : .» ■ Several hundred. minor earthquakes are recorded in New Zealand every year, many too slight, to be felt. Any big shako, like the Murchison one, is responsible for hundreds of lesser aftershocks. •>' ~ _,