THE EARTHQUAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1929, Page 5

THE EARTHQUAKE

J FURTHER SHOCKS. Trcre were further earthquake shocks experienced during the night. During the early evening there were slighttremors, hut about 1. 30 a.m. there was a smart shock. This was followed another at 1. 57 o’clock, a longer one with a sharp ending. Then seven minutes later there was.a longer and stronger shock, which was the heaviest experienced since the big shake on -Monday morning. Much alarm was caused in many households. This morning at 9.50 o’clock there was another sharp shock with subsequent quivers for some time. There was another shock tins afternoon at 3 o’clock. AN AIRMAN’S JOURNEY. BLENHEIM, June 19. Copt. Mercer, of Canterbury Aero Club, was sighted over Marshlands at 8.35 this morning, flying very low in heavy raiii and a very poor visibility. He lias evidently crossed the Straits from Wellington. He did not land at Blenheim. Some anxiety Ts felt locally as the conditions to the south « are very bad. FURTHER. MILD SHOCKS AT BLENHEIM. BLENHEIM, June 19. A series of milk shocks were felt throughout the night with sharp shocks at 8.55 and 9.50. MR HOLLAND, M.P. ONE OF THE VICTIMS. AID FOR WESTPORT. WESTPORT, June 19. Mr H. E. Holland, M.P. was ill at his home in Queen St., and did not leave his bed until after all the chimneys in . his dwelling had crashed. It was with the utmost difficulty lie- managed to get from his bedroom to the verandah and eventually to the garden path. In his library books from shelves were littered on the floor, and in some cases shelves were dragged from their fittings. Most of the crockery was smashed.

In a press interview, Mr Holland said he felt it his duty to express his appreciation of the splendid spirit oT mutual aid displayed by every section of. the community. There was everywhere eagerness to render assistance wherever it was needed, and it was extremely gratifying to know that despite the disastrous’ nature o? the, earthquake, there had been such a small number of casualties.- Already he had eo-or-crated with the Mayor in coming to the Government with an intimation that assistance towards repairing the damage would he sought on' his arrival in Wellington shortly.

CONDITIONS AT WESTPORT. CHRISTCHURCH, June 19. Telegraphically, Westport is still isolated. Operators sent from Christchurch, yesterday are awaiting the arrival of wireless equipment by a . steamer 'from Wellington. Probably further aeroplanes will leave Christchurch to-morrow, carrying Westport mnils. NELSON REPORT. NELSON,, June 19. Heavy rain has set in, and this is likely to interfere greatly with road ' communication with Murchison. - Moderate shocks varying in intensity continue to he felt at Nelson. Fraser (Murchison County Clerk) to-day telegraphed to Murchison refugees at Nelson that shocks generally are less frequent and much less in severity. He adds that the worst now appears to he over; Owing to the service car being located, the Moth ’plane did not leave, but Captain Chandler may go to the Coast to-morrow if the weather improves. All service cars which were.not reported previously are sale.