THE WHAKATANE EARTHQUAKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2366, 5 December 1908, Page 5

THE WHAKATANE EARTHQUAKE.

FURTHER SHOCKS. WHITE ISLAND RESUMED ACTIVITY. [Pbess Association.] AUCKLAND.. Dec. 4. A “Star” message* despatched from Whakatane at 11.15 a.m. states: “The earthquakes this mornirag have been in quicker succession than previously, but have been decreasing in strength. “Three sharp shocks have been experienced within the.last hour. “White Island, which, for the Hast tew days has heen practically inactive, was unusually active again- this morning, which is reassuring, as White Island is considered a vent for volcanic activity.”

VESSEL’S STARTLING EXPERIENCE.

DIfITEBANCE*S ON LAND AND SEA.

AUCKLAND, Dec. 4

Further particulars in regard to the seismic disturbances on the Bay of Pdenty coast as experienced to the eastward of Whakatane came to hand by the auxiliary ketch Albatross, which put in an appearance to-day from Oliiwa. The experiences of the crew on the Sunday night were graphically described by one of their number to a press representative. “The first heavy shock came just as we had got into hunk on Sunday night,” he said, “'and it startled us considerably to feel the boat jumping •about along side the wharf on a calm night. Between Sunday night and Tuesday there must have been about a dozen shocks, but nothing further of much account happened until Tuesday, just about breakfast time. I was looking over the side at the time to see if there was enough water for us to go out. Then, a” of a sudden, the boat lurched heavily on the water, and began to rock about violently. The wharf seemed to me, looking up at it',' to be coining right down on the ship. The vessel creaked loudly, and everything on board was badly jerked about.”

In reply to a question- as to the appearance of Whale Island as observed on the homeward voyage, the reporter was informed that passing between the island and the shore the vessel went through a lot of curiouslyccL’orecl water, such as might come from hot springs. “We could see it bubbling up violently in one place, just for ail the world like the crude oil at the Taranaki wells —.41 Thiel and of a dirty brown. When we were goiug up to Oliiwa on Saturday White Island was very active. and was spouting out clouds of black smoke. Generally the smoke is u>ll white, with a thin streak of black, but this was Aniost all black.”

WHALE ISLAND. CLOUDS OF DUST. The s.s. Tasman arrived from Whakatane this afternoon, and brought additional particulars, of the disturbances on Whale.lsland. The clouds which have been observed over Whale Island are generally believed by all who voyaged around the island on the Tasman yesterday (Thursday) to have beeigdue to landslips and nothing else. The residents of Whakatane are said to be somewhat nervous Ms to the result should further earthquakes occur. No damage- has yet been done, but the heavy shocks of Tuesday morning O.ist aroused anxiety to a, fairly high pitch. Another sharp shock was experienced on Tuesday evening, and throughout the night the residents scarcely had u chance to sleep. On the voyage back to Auckland yesterday afternoon the discoloration of the water was very noticeable, but this is put down to the slips on Whale Isl-a nd. A 11 a.m. yesterday another heavy yellow rfoud. supposedly of dust, was observed hanging over Whole Tile Tuesday morning’s shock is said to he the heaviest felt in the district since IS6O.