THE EARTHQUAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1931, Page 6

THE EARTHQUAKE

NAPIER REPORT. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) NAPIER, February 21. Yesterday a sweltering nor’wester made the conditions almost unbearable in Napier, but the heat gradually failed at night, and to-day the weather, in spite of a high wind, has been more tolerable.

Rig grass fires inland added to yesterday’s oppressiveness, but those have evidently died out. The weather at 5 p.m. on Sunday was cloudy with a change threatening. The sea is choppy. Only one quake of any severity has been felt since yesterday alternoon. It occurred at 1.45 a.m. to-day, and it was a prolonged one, and was moderately severe. The tremors have not been so numerous.

Very little work has been done today, which was the quietest day since the big upheaval. Concerts given yesterday and to-day by the Wellington Salvation Army Band attracted many hundreds. The birds, which disappeared quickly shortly after the quake, are now returning, but very lew Minalis are to be seen. On the other hand, hundreds of canaries, which were released have disappeared, probably providing dainty morsels for the many cats prowling about. Temporary premises are springing up in all quarters, and if is now possible to spend money in the town. Supplies art 1 coming in to the business people, and soon normal trading will be possible. Many women are returning with their children, but it is not wise lor absentee children and women, or those injured, to return without, instructions from their relatives or employees. Some of the people are now returning to sleep in their homes, but their actions are greatly restricted owing to the lack of facilities. BODIES IDENTIFIED. HASTINGS, February 21. A body winch had previously been reported as unidentified, has now been identified as that of .Mrs Ellen Rohan, a widow, aged fifty-eight, of 115, Avenue Road, West Hastings. A photograph of Mrs Ralian and her daughter Kathleen, who was previously reported as dead, was in possession of a Hastings resilient, and led to iden titicajtion. The mother and daughter were shopping at Roach s when the disaster happened. Two quite severe shocks were lelt at Hastings one at 2 a.m. and the other at 3.7 a.m. Though the first was rather alarming, mother were comparable in severity to the three big sin cks which did all the damage. Loose parts of badly damaged buildings were shaken down, and sleepers were awakened. Some alarm was felt. The body of Henry Ogden, a resident, of Hastings, has been recovered from the debris of the Napier Hospital.

PATIENTS ROBBED. WAIRUKURAU, February 21. At, two o’clock this morning a fairly severe earthquake, the third most vio lent since the major one on February 3, disturbed local citizens. ’1 wo others less severe followed at intervals. I hero was no fresh damage. The champion mean act penetrated since tlm disaster, occurred yesterday. A young man, aged twenty-two. a patient at AVaipukurau Public Hospital was granted permission to go in to town. Before leaving the institution lie went round the ward and collected 25s Od from the earthquake stricken patients with which to make purchases for them. The man, purchases, or money never returned to the institution. The police are invesrigaing his despicable act. Many patients possosg hardly any moiit.v. Forty-two earthquake victims were in hospital this morning. Their condition is satisfactory, except in the cases of .8. Btirkon, aged forty-seven. of Waipawa, Thomas Garter, aged 71, of Hastings, and Aliss Lorna Williamson aged 18, of Napier, who are classified as very serious. j A new admission is Joan Keady, ol 42, Waghorno Street, I’ort Almriri, from the Napier Hospital, suffering from shock.