AN EARTHQUAKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1926, Page 4

AN EARTHQUAKE.

[|!V TKT.KOItA 1M! —PKK IT.ESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, January 4

A very sharp earthquake was experienced in Wellington to-day at 3.33 p.m. ll is estimated to have been one ot the worst ’euakes experienced here for 20 years. It lasted from It) to 15 seconds. There were two distinct movements, olio a mild shake, serving as an introduction to a violent tremor, with considerable oscillation.

'Flu' high buildings on Lnmbton Quay in Fentliorston Street, on Jervois Quay, ami in other areas on the reclaimed land were visibly rocked by the ’quake. Workers on top of the General Post and Telegraph Office, had an unpleasant experience, as the huge building showed considerable movement. The ground floor ceiling cracked in the sorting office, in other places the plaster fell to the floor in the Post Office In lhe State Fire Office buildings the shake caused much alarm. The pillars on the ground door of the State Fire buildings vibrated with the shock. Hanging lamps swayed for some time. The records of the Government Seismologist, Hr Adams, will not he available until to-morrow.

Hr Adams said that the ’quake was estimated at five or six on the TtosciFlorel scale in certain portions of the city. The shake would probably go as high as No. 8 scale, according to which No.. 10 was the distinction mark. Only slight damage is reported, one or two chimneys falling. No one was injured.

The shake appeared to be a northeasterly and south-westerly one. MASTERTON, January 4.

A prolonged earth tremor was experienced here to-day at 3.55 o’clock. The shake was not so severe as that on ’Xmas live, but was on an even character, and of longer duration. CHRISTCHURCH. January 4.

A very slight shock of earthquake was felt by a few people in Christchurch this afternoon. Most city people were unaware of it, hut at Sumner residents- -felfcj-.it more distinctly.