AN EARTHQUAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1931, Page 5

AN EARTHQUAKE

SHAR SHOCK AT GISBORNE, (By Telegruph—Per Press Association) GISBORNE, May 7. A severe earthquake was experienced at Gisborne at 2.28 this morning, causing considerable alarm, but except for a parapet which crashed through a verandah in several business premises in Pee! St., and tho fracture of a number of shop windows, the structural damage was not very great. No one was injured. Residents of hotels ami hoarding houses poured into the streets which with residents hurriedly arriving in cars to inspect their premises, soon became full of people. Bartleet’s camp in Whamtalii ITi lis 20 miles south of Gisborne reported 32 shocks between 2.30 and 1.30. ‘Pgbd river sAd

SEVERE AT WATROA. WAIROA. May 7. An alarming, severe earthquake was experienced throughout life district afc two thirty this morning followed b.v numerous tremors for hours afterwy rd s

Practically no damage is reported to business premises and residences but there were many breakages indoors, Many people rushed outside in their night flttii-e. The shock was of a heavy rocking type-

OBSERVATIONS AT KTLBURN. QUAKE OF CONSIDERABLE AMPLITUDE. WELLINGTON, May 7. , The instruments at Kelburn Observatory show this morning’s ’quake way obviously one of considerable amplitude. oscillations continuing for more than an hour. Preliminary calculations point to thi' centre ol the origin being off the coast, about six degrees from Wellington, north east of the centre of the February shake. A further shake of lesser intensity was recorded at 5.23, calculated ai 127 miles from Wellington, probably in the Murchison area.

SURVEY OF DAMAGE. GISBORNE. May 7, A survey of the ’quake damage shows 'that the parapet on Hall’s Buildings in Peel Street crashed ove>\ the front of four shops bringing down the verandah and burying the footpath in a mass of masonry, and shattering windows. The pediments of a number of buildings in Gladstone Road were broken. In one case a heavy pediment, precariously balanced ,on two side parapets, fell on to a roof, one smashing in the roof of a fish shop adjoining. Stocks and fittings were damaged in a number of shops, but not to n great c-xtent.

Country reports show that the disturbances were more severe to tho south and south-west of To Karakfl. Twenty miles north felt- nothing and ;n the northern coastal areas, the shock was not severe.

Nuhaka and Wh arena ta experienced seventeen tremors in the first half hour.

Tiniroto, 85 miles south-west, reports the shocks were severe till 6 o’clock and then eased off but are still continuing' mildly every quarter of an hour. The chimneys there are down and tanks hurst. The genera] store interior is in a mess.

Watrengaok'aai, near Gisborne, reports, whilst chimneys are down and crockery broken, the shock was not exceptionally severe.

CROCKERY BROKEN. GISBORNE, May 7. At the hospital, the patients took the shake very calmly. There was no panic. All the nurses reported immediately for duty. There is no structural damage. A Tinoroto report, states that residents in the township spent the night on the hotel verandah. They declare the shakes were as severe as any previously felt. All the chimneys are down, some having been rebuilt several times since the February ’quake. All crockery was broken and everything on the shelves of the hotel bat was thrown down.