THE EARTHQUAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1929, Page 5

THE EARTHQUAKE

CONDITIONS AT KARAMEA

A CAPTAIN’S 1 STATEMENT.

By Telegraph—Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 5. The scow Faii-baim arrived (from Karnmea.

Captain Sawyers says the houses in Karnmea are built of wood and did not suffer to the extent generally imagined, although no tanks or chimneys are left standing. The ground opened in all directions. There are thousands of slips, some landslides being a mile long. Wooden bridges suffered severely, and all are wrecked but one.

The wooden wall in the harbour is also down and the wharf is lying at all angles, the approach portion having been pushed through the main tee.

Taffy, a town 20 miles away, with two or three hundred inhabitants, is completelv isolated, but endeavours are being made to cut a track through. . The road to Westport is completely damaged. .f . With regard to Lleweyn’s • report that the ocean bed,, off Waimarie, has risen, Captain Sawyer’s said- it was absolutely true. The land is raised close in the shore and is really part, of the foreshore. It is a mile and a quarter long. Inland there was a big subsidence cavity anything, up to a hundred feet. - ; . .“ i ;

The diphtheria reported at- Karamea was not of a serious nature. So far as he was able to ascertain,.! there were only four cases, but there was a supply of anti-toxin in hand. There were enough provisions for ten days. The Fairbaim takes back provisions but in addition the Nile is taking supplies. . : ;

.MORE SHOCKS

GREYMOUTH, uly 6

Yesterday saw more earthquake activity than previously this week. 'Locally there were three distinct shocks felt ibetween 10 -and 11 a.m.. the actual times being at 10.18, 1 0.25 and 10.30. : Four shocks weje recorded at RccL ton, including three between 10 and 11. At Glenhope, oiie of the shocks at ter 10 o’clock was violent.

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GLENHOPE CHIMNEYS GO AGAIN

NELSON, July 5. Five out,; : of seven chimneys, which had just 'been rebuilt at the railway premises at Glenhope, snapped r> ff again at the . roof -.during this morning’s shake,.-'.'which was felt with some violence at. Glenhope.

EARTHQUAKE. AT REEFTON

REEFTON, July 5,

Tremors still continue in Rem'ton and at 6.40 this morning a sharp shock was recorded. At 10.17 a.m., 10 24., and 10.31. a.m., three further distinct shocks were felt, the 'one -it 10.24 a.m. lasting for over six seconds and being a heavy shake. The road to Maruia is blocked W'Mi snow and no communication has beep established with the settlers ’.here during the past week. Attempts however, are being made to get through to-day, .-the 15th inSt. SEiDDON VILLE’ S PLIGHT. • SOME WONDERFUL ESCAPES. WELLINGTON, July 5. The Acting Secretary of the General Post Office advises that communication with Seddonville was restored this afternoon. The Chief Postmaster, Westport reports. that no loss of life is reported at Seddonville, and that a roll call shows that no one is missing. WESTPORT, July 5. The damage done to Seddonville by the flood is considered very much greater than that suffered there from the earthquake, although Seddonville was badly enough hit by the latter.. Messrs Wimsett and Corby are amongst the heaviest losers. Mr Wamsett’s stock, valued at £IOOO was absolutely ruined, and besides, his shops and house are badly damaged. Mr Wimsett pays a warm tribute to Constable Robb, of Millerto’n, who came and warned them. Mr Wimsett wished to go back to his shop to get something for his baby, but the constable insisted that there was no time. They just managed to cross the fastrunning flood in time, with the water up to the floor of their lorry. Had thenlorry stalled they would probably ha'-o been all drowned as a few seconds later there was, where they had been, a roaring torrent eight to ten feet deep. The hoinqs now presept a pitiable

spectacle. As the people were dependent on tanks and we.ls for their water supply, and the tanks have gone while the wells are fil.ed with mud, they are in a had plight, with no water save the dirty aim muddy water of the river, with which to wash out their homes.

Many of the people escaped from their homes only partially clad, and they found, on tneir, return, that their Nothing and furuuure was washed out of -their homes.

Mr G. CL Hlack M.P., for Motueka, on receipt of a telephone conimumcaf.on that the <iam had hurst on the Mokihinui River, telegraphed the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister, who replied as follows: “Very much regret to near the news of the river. Sincerely trust there are not very serious results. Anxiously awiting your further report; Kind regards.” M H. E. Holland replied to Mr Black’s message as follows: “Many tlianks for your wire, and also for taking a relief car to St. Helen’s and Seddonvi.le. Wire if there is anything I can do at this end towards assisting ...e residents out that way. Have also wired the Mayor. Regards.” Mr Black, who was accompanied by Mr Multan, County Clerk, after returning tins-morning from Seddonville, despatched telegrams to the Prime Minister, and Mr Holland, suggesting tliat arrangements be made' for the women and chddren who desire to journey to Christchurch; also that 300 pairs of blankets be supplied, and adding that 100 men would be required in all to rc-estabiish thie settlement.

■ Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Holland have both replied thanking Mr Black for his telegrams. Arrangements have been made for the blankets to be supplied ; also for any women or children who desire to proceed to Christchurch, and for the Puolic Works Department to undertake, a clean-up of the Houses.

Mr Black and Mr G. Laurenson, Public Works Engineer, to-day attended a meeting of the Settlers’ Committee, when it was resolved that the re-liabitatio.n .) be - undertaken by the Public Works Department, under Mr juaurenson.

Mr. Black promised to support Mr Holland in the matter of- a grant towards the re-establishment of the settlement, and he pointed out that, from his experience of tiie earthquake zones during the past seventeen days, any women or children of a nervous disposition should'be evacuated beyond Westport, right out of tlie earthquake area. •

Arrangements have therefore been made so that any refugees’ can travel to Christchurch without personal cost, and can receive billeting.

Captain Smith of the Salvation Army has offered his services to the Prime Minister to escort parties to that city.

MURCHTNSON. OVER 100 SETTLERS BACK. NELSON, July 5. Generally speaking, there has been a decided improvement in the conditions at Murchinson, and it is feeing well maintained. Thirty settlers arrived in Murchison to-day and proceeded to their holdings. It is estimated that abuur 120 settlers are now back again, and are already commencing the work of restoration on their farmfe. ■

Mail cars are now running as usual to and from Murchinson, /carrying a good number of passengers.

RELIEF FUNDS.

WELLINGTON, July 6. Tlie Prime Minister’s Central Fund has now reached £30,000.

The Mayor of Wellington’s local fund is nearly .£14,000, but most of this is included in the Central Fund. Some thousands more are expected.