THE EARTHQUAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1931, Page 5

THE EARTHQUAKE

THE QUAKE AREA. DAMAGE TO ROADS. (Jhj Telegraph—Per Press Association) HASTINGS, February 16. Hastings automobile Association repo its the Taupo Road —Tepotue to Taupo, is closed till inrther notice. Napier to Tepohue Road is open, but in a poor state. The Association adds a warning to motorists to drive carefully on all roads in this district. The quake last Friday loosened much ground and made many roads dangerous. INSPECTOR HUGO'S PRAISE. Inspector Hugo. Inspector of Fire Brigades, who arrived at Hastings n few hours after the first of the two quakes on February 3rd, referring to the work- carried out by the local Brigade in thirty-six hours of ceaseless duty, says in a congratulatory message to Superiiileiitant R. Henderson, ‘‘As I witnessed some parts of the operations of Hastings Fire Brigade during the progress of the late disastrous fire, 1 wish to congratulate yout'self and all other members of the Brigade oil the courage displayed and upon the practical, efficient mariner in which the work of subduing many outbreaks was carried out. 1 hope all the personnel of your Brigade are now completely recovered after the effects of their dangerous and severely trying duties, so well performed.” A FIRE OUTBREAK. Considerable alarm was caused among residents in a section of tlm residential | part of Hastings when it was discovered at four on Sunday mornring that an empty house belonging to Brinson was on fire. Smoke was smelt by the occupier of a neighbouring house who immediately warned the people in the street. As no phones were working and the automatic fire alarm was out of order, it was feared before the brigade could lie summoned that the whole street might catch. The brigade were notified by a man who drove into the town in a car, and arriving, promptly set the residents fears at rest by doing rapid work in extinguishing the blaze, which completely gutted the dwelling. It is thought the fire might have been caused by fused wires, as the power was switched on the neighbourhood. Yesterday, with the exception of almost imperceptible and very occasional tremors, Hastings felt no quakes since the big quake on Friday afternoon. Civil servants —.

'QUAKE RELIEF. AUCKLAND, February 16. The Waitonnita Power Bunt'd decided ifo-day to donate £20(1 to the earthquake relief fund specifying the sum lr. be used for immediate relief.. One member said the funds subscribed for Murchison sufferers were held up in Wellington for throe months. The Auckland Savings Bank trustees are donating £1,500 subject to validation exclusing above. The Auckland City funds total £27,500. ’QUAKE DAMAGE. REPORT FROM MOHAKA. WA.IROA, February 16. A visit paid to Mohaka yesterday by the Press Association agent, convinces him that the district has been very close to the earthquake centre, for both last Friday afternoon and on the previous Tuesday week, settlers state loud booming was heard like the firing of huge guns. All along the Ooast great landslides occurred, the base of one carrying away several hundred acres well out to sea. Hills in all directions are cracked along the ridges, great faces disappearing into the valley below.

A 1 oh aka Gorge suffered particularly severe in this respect. Since last Friday’s big shake no water has reached Mohaka township owing to a tremendous slip near w illow flat completely blocking the river which has partly dried up and is like a lagoon at the township. Should heavy rain occur, the lower part is likely to be in grave danger. An eye witness states the; hills near the coast arc split and seemed to hang in the air and then were hurled out to sea. The land along the coastline is badly cracked and is likely to slide into the sea. when rain comes.

A number of railway and road fillings are pancaked hut the damage is not as great as was previously feared. At et weather, however, would cause many portions to disappear. The worst part of the road. AYairoa to Afohaka bridge is at Turiroa, where it, Ims dropped twenty to thirty feet. The present track is likely to go at any time. Alany home-terds will have to be rebuilt between AVsi iron and Alohako and the country will be difficult for farmers mustering stock. AN APPEAL. FOB HOSPITAL RECONSTRUCTION. HASTINGS. February 10. 'Plie Koyston private hospital at Hastings, the medical nursing staff ot which, together with voluntary workers, played such a magnificent part in organising an emergency hospital dining .the earthquake, is the subject ol a "public apnea! for funds for reconstruction. The hospitals work during the disaster was the salvation of pm town so far as the casualties were con-

cerned and the present appeal is likely to meet with a ready response and provide the town with a much needed hospital service. The large soldieis memorial hc<<pi,t«l here is not a casualty hospital. POSITION AT NAPIER. MINOR QUAKES RECORDED. FIRE AT TARADLE. NAPIER, February 16. Sunday was observed as a day of rest in Nanier. and all work on the ruined area was suspended. Many workers obtained necessary permits to spend the week-end out of the devastated district, but the refugee camp is still well populated. Simple church services were held. 'ihe district suffered numerous minor quakes varying in intensity. Some weie serious. An outbreak of fire at midnight last night completely destroyed the store ot F Perrv. Taradale. in the owner’s absence It threatened the ruin of the hotel and Post Office. Excellent work l,v a bucket brigade saved the situation however. The weather at Napier this morning was fine and sunny and a little wind. One or two minor quakes were recorded in tile early hours. The work of reconstruction and de mol it i n is proceeding with renewed vigor after a day’s ,rest. There is still no s ; <r n of an epidemic disease at Napier.