NIGHT OF TERROR

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1929, Page 6

NIGHT OF TERROR

AVORST SINCE MONDAY. MANY ’QUAKES AT ALURCHISON. MURCHISON, June 23. Saturday night Alurchison experienced its worst night since the devastating earthqiiaKe on Aloudav. During tile later afternoon rumblings were heard in l ’-the Hills which surround the township, and minor ’quakes were- felt. With the coming of darkness 'the force of the tremors increased, and at eight o’clock a ’quake of some intensity rocked the town. Rumblings continued far into the night, and what remains of the small community was awakened at three o’clock this morning with a violent shake of fifteen seconds. Ibis was accompanied by a. terrific roar, and then followed silence for a few seconds, .broken only by the whining of dogs. Then could be beard slides and falls of rock in the bills, the effect being terrifying. Huge rocks could be heard tearing their way down the bush-clad hills into the valleys. This was only the forerunner of what was to happen. For three hours there was comparative quiet. AVHOLE PLACE DANCING. Just at G.lO a.ni. there came a booming much louder than anything that had yet been heard. Buildings began to rock slightly, and the rocking motion suddenly accelerated until the whole place was dancing before tin' awe-struck eyes of the watchers. Just as the climax of the shake occurred. Hodgson’s store, a two-storey structure which had boon partially wrecked by the big shake on Monday’, came tumbling down with a roar that was deafening. Two petrol pumps which had stood all the previous tremors, were damaged, while the school, which had suffered grievously in the first shake, showed signs of further damage.

The force of the shoek can he gauged when it is stated that two reporters who were sleeping on an open verandah on a shakedown, were tinned over and back again whilst they lay in bed. Residents had hoped that the woist of the shakes were over, but after last night’s experience they do not know what to think. A’esterdav and to-day shakes came with decreasing intervals between them.

An effort was made yesterday to prop up Hodgson’s store with huge beams, but these now are smashed to matchwood. It is fortunate that this morning’s big shock did not occui when the men were working, or half a dozen would have been buried under the debris. FOOD PLENTIFUL. All hands in camp wore assemble:! after breakfast this morning, and working parties were told off. Some went to inspect and clear the main road to Nelson, while others were told off to c-leaf other tracks. Half a dozen motor cars which remain in the place are under the control of the emergency committee, and these are used for transporting workers to as near the damaged districts as possible.

There is still a good supply of feed in the place, and it is fortunate that the shakes have not prevented hens from laying. A search party goes out every morning and brings in all the available eggs, which are handed to the cookhouse. A pig was killed yesterday by orders of the emergency committee, and to-day pork finds a place on the menu. 'I he local butcher. Air D. AV. Oxenham. is doing good work by keening meat supplies going, and the large stock of butter at the dairy factory is drawn upon as occasion demands. AVater is carried from a nearby’ creek, and candles are used for lighting purposes. The |-val hvdro-clectric lighting system is badly damaged, the poles lieing snapped off at the base in every direction, and the water intake ruined.

NARROW ESCAPES. The number of narrow escapes heard of; in the district makes it remarkable that the death-roll is not greater. A gang of railway workers who were engaged on building the Alurclnson-Glenhope railway line were in a shingle pit iust before Monday's ’quake occurred. They left the pit for “smoko,” and as the last man got out the earth began to rise and fall. A big slip came down and filled the shingle pit, burying completely five railway trucks. The railway construction works are badly damaged, and to restore them will take months. A big slice of the main road has slipped into the Buller River and it is necessary to drive cars across paddocks in order to get through from Glcnhope. . Telegraph and telephone communication with Nelson was lost this morning owing to the ’quakes, but quick work by postal office us enabled it to be restored. Last night’s shakes caused the telegraph lines to he a jumbled mass opposite the Post Office, but this was quickly cleared.

The whole of tbe population between Lyell and Murchison now is accounted for. with the exception of an old prospector. Mr Tim Ryan, who was last heard of near the Alpine mines in the vicinity’ ol Lyell. As time now is up for him to come out for food, some anxiety is felt as to his safety.