FURTHER SHOCKS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1929, Page 6

FURTHER SHOCKS

SUNDAY'S EXPERIENCES. The hopes entertained. that there was an end to the earthquake shocks were rudely shattered on Sunday morning when there was a series of further shocks, that again caused considerable alarm in the community. There were several light tremors before three o’clock, but at 3.5 o'clock there was a very sharp prolonged quake that shook buildings with great force, and an alarmed populace in many instances got out of. bed for the • rest of the night. The shock was of a severe nature, and lasted a -'considerable period, it appearing to travel east and we.st. Tliere were further light tremors during the early hours and at 6 o’clock there was another short sharp shock, with further light tremors between, 8 and 9 o’clock. There does not appear to have been any serious damage done locally, with the exception that the cracks at the Free Public Library have opened out. and the west wall appears in some danger. Minor damage is reported in other places, one repaired chimney at least having again been damaged, necessitating it being again partly pulled down.

Considerable anxiety was felt locally as to the extent of- the damage done in the north, but all messages that came to hand during the day were of a reassuring nature.

It will take a week to open the Millerton track and will cost £IOOO to clear it. The township- is isolated, but for the incline.

At a meeting held last evening the Millerton, Miner’s Union decided not to allow any of the men to enter the mine until the check inspectors have reported it safe. It is hoped to reopen 'both the mine and the school on Monday, .. .... "it big sliii' at Aldridges; beyond Hector, is cutting off road communication between Seddonville and Westport.

Quinlan’s bridge, which will cost £SOOO to replace;' between Karamea, and O.parara,-. on the Karnmcn-Cqfling-wood road, lias been destroyed. AT MURCHISON LATEST SHOCKS VERY BAD. c ßy Telegraph, Per Press Association. NELSON, June 23. The news from Murchison to-day is not reassuring. Last night the quakes there were very severe, and are considered to have l>een nearly’ as bad as the big shake on Monday’ last. The front of Hodgson’s store came out. Landslides and the rumblings in the hills have continued during the past two days. More settlers from the Maruia and Matakitaki Valleys were brought into Murchison to-day. EARLIER NEWS. ABOUT RIVER POSITION. WELLINGTON, June 23. The Acting-Secretary-General to the Post Office lias received the following advices regarding the earthquake on Saturday, from tha Postmaster at Murchison: It was reported here at 5 p.m. that the Maruia 'River will cut through the slip iu about three days’ time, and this may cause the Newton Flat slip on the Duller River to give way. The Matakitaki River : is normal. The refugees from Maruia (Pgenga) have reached, the Ariki Schoolhouse. They should reach Murchison to-mor-row. ; SHOCKS AND DETONATIONS ALL NIGHT AT MURCHISON. WELLINGTON, June .23. A report dated Sunday, June 23rd. from the Postmaster at Murchison, despatched at 9.30 a.m. stated:— Shocks and detonations have continued throughout the night. There were two very heavy quak/s. One was at 3 a.m. and (ho other at 5.55 a.m. The Matakitaki River dam is now running slightly above normal, Tint there is no cause for alarm. LATER 'REPORT FROM ‘MURCHISON. WELLINGTON. June 22. The Secretary General of the G.P.O. to-day received the following report

ALARM THE COMMUNITY

AN UNSETTLING EXPERIENCE

SUNDAY MORNING’S QUAKES

REPORTS FROM ALL CENTRES

SHOW NO FURTHER DAMAGE

from the Postmaster at Murchison: At 9.30 p.m. on Saturday the Matakitalci River was still running normal. It is not anticipated that there will be any immediate change.' There is no c-iiange in the Maruia River.

Minor quakes and detonations still continue, coming at less regular intervals. Lig..b rain lias set ip, but it is thought that it will clear by morning- . ■

The main road to Nelson is still open. A pack track has been opened to the Upper Matakitaki to-day. The clearing of the road to Putaki will ’be-gin'to-morrow. Everybody is well. NO FURTHER. DAMAGEAT WESTPORT. WELLINGTON, June 23. The following report to-day came from the Chief Postmaster at Westport : “After a very quiet day, somewhat sharp shocks occurred at 9 p.m. last night and at 2.30 a.m. to-day, .vhile at 3.5 a.m. to-day there came -lie most severe quake since the main one occurred.

No further damage is reported. Heavy showers Jell throughout the night. Much water.has been collected from drain, pipes and it is stored in a notley collection of utensils.

The Hospital patients are being removed to wooden buildings to-day.- ■ LATEST REPORT FROM ‘ MURCHISON.

Last evening’s radio report was to -lie effect that conditions around Mur-' •hison had quietened somewhat, the position being less alarming. It was Anted that some fifty refugees left durcliison yesterday morning for Nelson. FURTHER DETAILS. . It is stated that the damage to iodgson’s store tit Murchison., the roiit of which was yesterday morning breed out by the 3 o’clock shake, otals £IO,OOO. The Old Man ,of the Mountain has lisappeared. • OPPOSIT!ON LE ADER’S VI SIT. : NELSON, June 23. The Hon -J. G. Coates arrived at Nelson early this morning. He left by ur for AfiTrchison in company with Hr G: C. Black. ivl.P.. and lie is in•pecting the neighbourhood to-day..He is expected to return to ’Nelson to-, night.

.MORE REFUGEES FROM, MURCHISON AREA. An urgent request for a special train to convey from one hundred to me hundred and fifty refugees from Koliatu to Nelson was received to-day from Murchison. Train arrangements were immediately got under way:' ' ' AT CHRISTCHURCH. WORST SHOCKS SINCE BIG ONE. CHRJSTUURCH. June 23. Two shocks of earthquake, severe ‘iiotigli to awaken all but the heaviest occurred shortly after three o’clock and. six.o’clock, this morning. These shakes were the severest ones since the big quake on Monday, morning, but no damage was done in (lie city. A MOUNTAIN MISSING. IN TAKAKA. WELLINGTON, June 22. The Takaka Postmaster reports: The mountain top at the head of Anatoki Valley in a direct line with Kahurangi Point and about sixty miles in a direct line from Takaka lias not been visible since the big shock on .Monday. AT WESTPORT. SLIDES CAUSE FLAMES. WESTPORT, June 22. ’Quakes continue here. Ten fairly heavy, and numerous slighter oiks occurred . between noon and 7 P-m. this (Saturday) evening. This afternoon water lorries paraded the town, providing . water for the inhabitants, who got busy with buckets and other receptacles.

Cant. Burrell flow to Karamea with diphtheria serum, as many cases of diphtheria are reported there. Tie also took mails.

~ A Corbyvale resident states that flames were seen Hying, they being caused by friction as huge blocks of land went sliding down the hillside, i * THREE MEN MISSING.

There is still no word of Messrs Russell and Son, who, it is feared, have been buried in a landslide at Mokilnnui, as horse tracks were traced past two slips up to a big slide, and beyond that no tracks were seen.

A search is also being made for Mr \V. Bean, who was up on Tait’s farm, 1G miles above Seddonville. Two of the guides who led a party to the mountain top say that they had a clear view of the country through field glasses, 'stretching back to Murchison, and the slopes were denuded of trees.

WESTPORT SHOCKS

VIOLENT YESTERDAY

WESTPORT, June 23

There have been two further violent quakes to-day. One was at 3.15 a.m., and the other at 6.11 a.m. There have been less violent shakes almost continuously. The day has otherwise been an uneventful one.

Most of the people realised that the Wooden building? are safe even the most violent of the shocks, and many let the buildings rattle and shako without getting out of their beds.

Last Monday's outward mail is still stranded between slips near the L.vell. Water carts were again out this morning, but rain fell pretty heavily, later and •household supplies have thus been well catered for, except of course for the sewerage system, which : s not yet workable, owing to the high .pressure water system not yet having hoen linked up.

Earthquakes, like wars, have their humorists. One oi the men wqrKing under the danger of further falls from the Post Office, has a notice outside his protected “p.ossie” reading: “Toppi cover Inn— -shakedowns only. I>oo,v early to avoid the rush.’’

.DANGER : ,TO HEALTH

AT WESTPORT AND KARA ME A

WELLINGTON, June 23

Yesterday the Acting Secretary of the G.P.O. received the following report from the Chief Postmaster at Westport:— Up till 8 p.m. there had been a very few minor tremors during the preceding 24 hours. The Medical Officer of Health from Christchurch has assumed control of the utility services affecting the public health. ‘'Difficulty is being experienced in -locating the breaks in the water mains to the reservoir. 11 repairs arc not effected shortly, it rs proposed to pump water per the harbour ,tpg- into the mains. It is raining to-night, and the weather rs threatening.

At Karamea there is an outbreak of diphtheria.

AROUND MURCHISON. :> ■ ' |URVEY OF CHANGES. cduNTRY MUCH ALTERED.

■■WELLINGTON, June 22. Mr Nelson May, District Engineer of Pliblic Works at Nelson, stated that the section of the Glenhope to Murchison railway line, now under construction has suffered no damage at all from the quakes. The NelsonWestport main highway has suffered .very little damage until two miles beyond Gowan Bridge. From there, progressing southward the damage is intensified. In many cases, between Gowan Bridge and Murchison, the out!er edge of the terrace along which the road has been formed has been shaken off by the earthquake. Practically all ol the fillings have sunk, transverse fissures forming where the •illing joined the solid country. Fissures have '.,een formed along the len r ,tn m toe road. The Bailor Hirer has been i«m, ietely blocked by two landslides, cue at each side of the river, annul quarter of a inile lip-1 slfca.::. .iii O’Sullivan’s Bridge. These j two slides, meeung together, completely dammed the river. The evidence showed that the river had been ponded to a height of about 50 feet oefore the water trickled over and commenced to cut out a new channel. The cutting down process has been gradually progressing, and, unless further slides time place', no danger from this need he anticipated; The .Matakitaki River is blocked by landslides from the left bank at a point about two and a-luilf miles bevoim Murciuson. The blockage is about half a mile across, and it has clocked the river for over a length of three-quarters of a mile. It is estimated that the height of the'blockage ill the lowest point is about 50 feet above the normal river level. This blockage has formed a lake that is estimated to hold about 150,000,000 cubic feet of water. The Manila River was blocked in two places. This liver, however, is now cutting fresh channels. The Matieri 'River is also blocked. There is no danger to Westport from the slide. It is in the vicinity of Murchison that there is cause for fear. It is impossible to forecast when the movements will finish, and what iheir final results will be, but it is probable that the configuration of the , countryside will he altered very con- . sidevahlv. It will probably take the countrv so seriously affected some time to recover, but in the district as a whole, there is no need tor alarm, only j that the farms should he abandoned. 1 Before the settlers can definitely return. lines of communication will have to ho provided. It will he useless to attempt to open up the roads through

the more broken areas until the earth movement has ceased and heavy rain lias somewhat stabilised the country. Any attempt to restore the road through the Duller south of Murchison at 'present would be needlessly and fruitlessly endangering men s lives. TAKAKA SHOCKS. WELLINGTON, June 22. Tile Acting-Secretary of tho Post vjffieo advises that the Postmaster at Takaka reports that shocks of increased intensity, precceed by loud detonations, were experienced throughout Friday night at Takaka. FAREWELL LIGHT OUT. WELINGTON, June 23. Farewell Spit reports that the light there was extinguished by the shake at 3.5 a.m. and again at 5 a.m. WIRELESS MEN. DO GOOD WORK AT WESTPORT. WESTPORT, June 23. Messrs Fahey and Fowkc, the w reless experts who arrived ironi Christchurch by aeroplanes on Tuesday have been working watch and watch ' ight round the clock on the s.s. Kaitoke. most of the time being spent at sea, and partly under cyclonic conditions. Within two hours of arriving they had boarded the s.s. Kaitoke in the roadstead and established connuuiii';.!tion, which was maintained until Friday morning, when the land lines were restored and carrying traffic. Hundreds of messages were received from Awarua Wireless Station ni Bluff and Commercial Radio Station at "Wellington, and were transmitted ashore to the Knrtigi at the whan and others wero sent ashore by launch and tug.

Since closing down the wireless on the Kaitoke on Friday, Messrs Fahey and Fowke, who have had very little sleep, have been assisting tirelessly in dispatching and receiving telegrams on the land lilies. NELSON SHOCKS. RAILWAY DAMAGE. NELSON, Juno 23. Last night's shocks, which were felt in Nelson with considerable severity, caused subsidences in the railway line four miles on the Nelson side on Glennope; therefore, refugees from the disturbed area will have to come on to Kohatu by motor, to connect, with a train for Nelson. DETONATIONS IN THE STRAIT. WELLINGTON, June 23. From tTfe Postmaster at Takaka, the following report came to-day: “Severe shocks still continue. The most violent and one of the longest duration since Monday morning was experienced at 3.5 a.m. It was preceded by loud detonations in the vicinity of Cook Strait.

DAMAGED BUILDINGS

THE WESTPORT LIST

WESTPORT, June 21. A complete survey of Westport now has been made, and it has been found that nine hundred buildings are in need of attention of some sort or other. Most of these are residences, and in 75 per cent of the eases fallen chimneys and damaged roofs arc the total of the damage. .In the business area, apart from a motor garage, the Post Office and a dozen shops, which were seriously damaged, most of the destruction has been broken plateglass windows. Over half the shops of the town now have boarded-up fronts. With longer periods lietween the shakes and their lessening in intensity. residents are slowly regaining confidence and are now turning to with a will to restore the buildings. Shortage of journeymen and material, along with fear of working on roofs, has prevented anything being done until now indeed, it is not exaggerating to say the townspeople were paralysed with fright, and for the time being cared nothing for material losses, but were only too anxious to look after their own lives. Many of the shopkeepers arc particularly heavy sufferers, in some cases the whole stock being destroyed. One main had paid off a £I2OO mortgage on his building last week, and to-day that building is not worth £IOO. An effort is being made to restore at least one chimney in each house, so that the yomen and children may have some warmth. A good example of the condition of the people was given when the A rail urn sailed with passengers last night. A big crowd of men. women and children watched the departure, but the usual hilarity associated with the sailing of a passenger boat was absent. They just looked on and remained silent. iSomeono tried to make a joke, but it fell flat. As the boat moved down flic wharf to swing in the river, the crowd walked alongside as quietly as if tile proceedings were too solemn for words. Some even accompanied the. ship right down the wharf to the absolute extremity, then standing and gazing after it until the bar was crossed. | A feature of flu* earthquake damage . is that wherever buildings were erected on made-up ground they were affected in some way or another, while ’those on a natural surface escaped nuicjv more lightlv. Tt also is interesting to note that reinforced concrete walls and buildings escaped completely. Tn one ease in Westport the walls of a partially erected building, from which the 'scaffolding had just been removed, were not affected in the slightest.

Various theories are being offered for the collapse of the Post Office tower, but there does not seem to be any doubt that this building was cracked during a previous severe ’quake in 1913, and that it was on the line of this crack that the first break occurred.

A SUFFERER’S STORY

DUNEDIN, June 21

A recent arrival in Dunedin is Mr Yates, who was the manager for Messrs H. J. Hodgson and Co., grocers, at Murchison, and who suffered as much from the earthquake as any of the residents of that ill-fated town. Ho has been married only six months, and has lost everything he possessed, yet he bears his loss with the stoicism which appears to be common with the victims of this dread calamity. “1 was lucky to get out' alive,” are his own words. The first portent of disaster-was experienced while lie was in bed on Sunday night, said Mr Yates, two ’quakes then being felt. Another was felt at about 7.30 last Monday morning, but these were very slight. “At about 10.30, however,” he continued, “the shop seemed to rock violently, and we all made a rush to get out. Before we did stuff had begun to fall, and we lost no time in getting into an open space in the yard.”

Two girls were lying on the ground on which they were unable to stand up, owing to the pronounced•shocks, and, on rushing round to bring his wife out, Mr Yates found her lying on the doorstep unable to get up, this experience apparently being general. When the ’quake first hit the town, he tried to'■•open the gate, but the ground was rocking- terrifically, and ho fell just us he readied it. In the meantime his wife had had a mirculous escape form death. A four hundred-gallon tank rolled over with a roar, Mr Yates’s wife being right in its line of flight. Fortunately, however, it struck a pear tree and was deflected in the opposite direct-

MARSITALLING THE PEOPLE. “The building which we had just left, and which was of concrete, had toppled to an angle of forty-five degrees by this time,” he proceeded, “and with the ground still heaving, we managed to get out on to the road through the butcher’s shop, which was not so badly affected. The women were terrified, hut there was no panic, no hysterical outbursts of screaming, and very soon everyone left for the school grounds, an open space where about 250 people congregrated.” The task of marshalling the people from the heaving road to the school grounds was loft to Mr Yates and a number of others. HILLS CRASH DOWN.

“Before we managed to get to the grounds,” said Mr Yates, “we had the experience of seeing a hill about a quarter of a mile away suddenly open up, as it were, just as if it had been blasted with dynamite, and then the earth came crashing down with a terrible roar. Two miles away we saw another hill just appear to slip aiid crash down. This was the hill which fell on a house and killed Mrs Busch and two children, though we did not know that at the time. •

“Another big slip came down just over the river on the Four River plains, practically a whole hill coming down and smothering both road and river. The Matakitaki River ran dry in Murchison and it was discovered tlmt a hill l\ad slipped across it, and made a dam two miles out of Murchison. The water was banking up fast, millions of gallons collecting, though at that 'time there was uo danger of flood.

‘ ‘The scliool grounds were the only really safe place in the stricken area for the shocks continued all day. The people stood around and a tent was also erected for sleeping accommodn-ti-'n. Luckily the weather was fair and it appeared that everybody was safe in the town itself, though there .were some narrow escapes. INQUEST ON MINER. WESTPOJRT. J une 21. The body of William Chamlcy, who was killed in the Seddonville Mine, was recovered last night after strenuous efforts on the part of as many men as could find room to shovel away the coal, and an inquest was opened to-day at Seddotiville by Mi E. R. Fox, Coroner. The coal had heated by spontaneous combustion and partly burned the body. PRESS COMMENT. LONDON, June .22. 'Hie “Times” in a reference to the New Zealand earthquake, says: “The menace of death, the destruction of property, and the losses of years of work have been faced with characteristic fortitude There have been individual acts of daring and heroism, as well as quiet patience, and nowhere any sign of panic. That this would he our kinsmen’s response to the disaster was taken for granted here, hut it does not lessen our admiration and sympathy.”