THE EARTHQUAKE WAVE AT AKAROA.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 903, 17 May 1877, Page 3

THE EARTHQUAKE WAVE AT AKAROA.

The following particulars of the extent and effects of the earthquake wave in Akaroa harbour are furnished by tbc Mail-. —The water encroached upon the lower portion of the town early in the forenoon, and had actually entered several residences, but it was not until after two p.m, that fears were entertained for the safety of property. We regret that the rapidity with which the current flowed caused some little damage to the owners or occupiers of several houses. The Mesdemoiselles de Malraanche’sresidence was completely taken possession of by the intruder, and articles, such as school books, music, linen, erockcrywarc, provisions, were carried away by the relentless torrent. As an evidence of the force of the current, we might mention that it wrung one of the doors off its hinges, and displaced several bricks in the fireplace. Messrs Borland, C. Brown, Hahn, and Sunckcll arrived early to the aid of the occupants, and rendered valuable assistance in the way of rescuing property from the encroaching waters. Mr Borland gallantly rescued Mademoiselle dc Malmanchc from her perilous perch, by transporting her on his back to a place of security. Mr Aylmer and family, adjoining, were also compelled to quit, and seek a higher elevation, the intruder halving nmnistakcablc marks, in the shape of heavy deposits of thick sediment. Mr Holding, who hail but recently erected, and entered upon, new prcmiscs]in|Luwcr Jollic street, is, we regret to learn, one of the heaviest sufferers. Large quantities of cooperage material were washed away, notwithstanding that every precaution was made to secure it, but wo are happy to state portions of same have since been recovered strewn along the beach. The house has been slightly disturbed from its foundation, and the brick chimney rent in several places. Mr Holding estimates his loss at between £3O and £4O. Mr Sunckell’s new premises narrowly escaped a visit from the element, but as it failed to gain admission to the house, it left its mark at the rear. The well, which is closely lined with brick, was filled with the briny fluid, and several bags of coal and pieces of timber were burled defiantly before the current. Messrs Vangiona, Brookes, Jones, Dcitly, and Ewing’s bouses were swamped by the water, and presented a rather uninviting appearance for habitation until subjected to the usual mopping and airing process. The upper end of the township suffered little or no damage, the only house, we believe, the water reached, being Mr Chadwick’s, but no damage is reported. MiLatter lost about seven chains of his jetty at Barry’s Bay, which was carried away shortly after 2 p.m. From Lc Eon’s we learn that two small bridges have been displaced, while at Okain’s the wave passed over without causing any injury. At Pigeon Bay, there was a rise of seven feet above the average. Holmes’s'jetty was carried away by the force of the disturbing wave, and the yacht Jimmy Flynn was thrown high and dry into the bush. The s.s. Akaroa could not approach within a mile of the wharf, and experienced some little difficulty in landing her passengers by means of the small boat.