A Severe Shock of Earthquake.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 319, 21 May 1894, Page 2

A Severe Shock of Earthquake.

THE PUBLIC LIBR .BY DAMAGED. CONSIDERABLE ALARM FELT. An earthquake was felt here at 9.40 this morning, which lasted for- about ten seconds. (P"R PREBB ASSOCIATION.') Wellington, Tins Day There was a smart shock of earthquake about 4.30 a.m., accompanied by a sound like a sharp explosion ; at 9.40, however, there was another the most prolonged and vigorous felt here for years and it fetched people running out of their houses into streets in all directions. The Public Library got a bad wrench from the earthshake An old crack caused over a year ago in a similar manner opened out again and extended a little. Plaster fell largely from the roof in the hall and cracked on the walls. There was more noise than anything elsePersons in open say there was a loud crash as though the hills were coming down bodily and a noise of buildings rattling together, and the rustling of trees was tremendous. In some of the taller wooden buildings the swaying was vio« lent, and a woman fainted. Brick buildings do not appear to have telt it so much. Sir J. Hector says the seismometer at museum showed a vibration of £ of an inch and the shock, which lasted six seconds, was the most vigorous in his experience. The direction was from the northwest and he thinks it is very likely connected with some disturbance in the central region. The shock in early morning was preceded by a loud concussion which led many to believe there had been an explosion in town. Woodviujs, This Day. A shock of earthquake was experienced it twenty minutes to ten this morning. Haweba, This Daj. 1 A sharp shock of earthquake was felt at 9 45 this morning. "' New Plymouth, This Day. Both earthquake shocks were felt here,' but they were not very strong. Tha one at 9.40 made things rattle in the* houses. Boxoßtri., This Day. „ No signs of an earthquake was felt here. Springs and volcano are quiet.