NAPIER’S BAD PLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1931, Page 5

NAPIER’S BAD PLIGHT

ALL STONE BUILDINGS DOWN FIRES ARE RAGING. SENDING NAVAL RELIEF. WELLINGTON, February 3. The Senior Naval Officer at Auckland advises that H.M.S. Veronica At Napier, reports a serious earthquake, and that all stone buildings are down and fires are raging. H.M.S, Diomede and H.M.S. Dunedin are sailing abcut 2 p,m. with medical officers, nurses and medical stores. NAPIER ABLAZE IN CENTRE OF CITY. WELLINGTON, February 3. The following radio was received from the Northumberland at 12.36 p.m,, one and a-half miles off the harbour entrance at Napier;— All centre of the town behind the promenade seems to be blazing and there are heavy volumes of smoke over the town,

NAPIER ISOLATED. WELLINGTON, February 3. The “Post” advises that .Napier lias been isolated since 10.50 a.m. PRIME MINISTER’S APPEAL. TO DOCTORS FOR HELP. M ELLINGTON, February 3. Immediately Hon, Geo. Forbes was in receipt ot authentic information, he sent out an appeal for doctors within an accessible radius of the devastated area asking them to proceed if possible to the aid of those who might be injured. Government also gave directions for an aeroplane to proceed as soon as possible to Napier, and a plane piloted by Captain Sfedman. with Campbell, engineer in the Public Works Department as a passenger lias left. H.M.S. Dunedin and H..M.S. Diomede are ordered to proceed immediately from Auckland with stores and medical supplies, and are expected to reach Nnnior to-morrow.

WOODY!LT.E, BADLY SHAKEN

WOOD VII. LE, February 3

A tremeiidbus earthquake occurred here about 10-40 this morning. It wiis preceded by a loud fumbling roar and continued for nearly half a minute.

People we're alarmed and rushed into the streets, Falling chimneys, cracking glass, and swaying trees and telegraph poles created consternation. It was easily the worst shock ever experienced in the district,

Chimneys are down in all directions. Much damage was done to shops and private houses. Several narrow escapes occurred, but not personal injury is reported. Women fainted in one or two cases. Electric power is off and the telephone service interrupted. A second shock of a loss violent occurred shortly after 11 o’clock. FELT AT CARTERTON. CARTERTON, February 3. An earthquake of a curious rotatory movement, was experienced at Cai torton at 10.51. The earth undulated and buildings rocked, while bells in the clock tower at the Post Office clanged loudly and the clock stopped. Stationary cars moved back and forwards, but there was no damage. The shake lasted a minute. DAMAGE HERE LIGHT. PALMERSTON N.. February 3. Earthquake damage here appears to lie confined to a few residences, isolated eases only being reported. In J.v mi In ust Street three houses suffered broken chimneys, crockery etc., while others in tb° same street were not affected. In Pitt Street several chimneys are down and weakened by cracks. Elsewhere minor incidents occurred. FELT AT BLENHEIM. BLENHEIM. February 3. An earthquake, prolonged over a minute, was felt here about twelve minutes to eleven this morning. Tt had a rotatory movement. So far no reports have been received at damage. AT PAHIATUA. PA HI A'ITA. February 3. The earthquake was a severe prolonged shock, which brought articles off shelves. various shop windows wore cracked, and fissures in brick buildings. There was a swaying sensation tor sometime, also minor shocks at intervals. A CIRCULAR MOTION. NEW PLYMOUTH, February 3. \n earthquake with a swinging motion was experienced in North Taranaki at 10.18 this morning. Tt lasted ninety seconds, but no damage was done.

The circular motion of the ’quake was a remarkable feature.

SEVERE AT GISBORNE. GISBORNE. February 3. The severest earthquake ever experienced at Gisborne occurred, at 10.50 this morning, rocking the buildings, alarming and causing a general exodus into the streets. The material damage appears not to he very great, though there was a good deal o! disturbance to spick on shelves and stores. Waikaremoana power was cut off and telegraph wires are down. I he major disturbance was followed by a sharp shock ten minutes later, and several minor tremors. AN ANXIOUS TIME. WOODY I i ('.Ei, February 3. Since the first big shake before 11 o'clock there have been intermittent shakes since, of varied degrees of severity and the residents feeling very anxious. The train service lias been dislocated. The railway viaduct, at Koptt near Onnondville subsided. Relief trains are Icing sent from Woodville. Reports from the country districts show much damage has been done. Children in schools were terrified but there were no panics. At the local gasworks the holder swayed so violently that water was thrown out and covered the streets for some distance.