THE QUAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1932, Page 6

THE QUAKE

WAIROA DAMAGE. , OF SUBSTANTIAL NATURE. (Per Press Association — Copyright ., WAIROA, Setpember 20. A peaceful night was experienced, apart from ; two jolts. ( The Council executive decided' to replace chimneys and tanks in necessitous cases| immediately. , , Mr F. ;_W. Furkett, (Engineer-in-! Chief) has arrived and carries out an j inspection day. j ' Mr Harker (Mayor) received a telegram -from the Minister stating the request for a pontoon bridge was receiving immediate consideration. This advice is perhaps the most welcome message since the upheaval took place. An area not previously mentioned that suffered to a great extent, is the local cemetery. It is estimated that over one. hundred headstones have crashed. Ornaments and railings lay everywhere, the area giving • the impression that it had undergone an artillery bombardment. Opouiti River is still completely blocked by slips, running from Mangapoiki through the hills. At Clydebank, sheepyard gates were wrenched off the hinges and fences were flattened wholesale, giving the impression that a terrific tornado had carried down through this previously peaceful valley. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church b badly damaged and. the brick Sunday school badly fractured. St. Paul’s, Anglican Sunday school lias tilted over and broken away from another section of the church building, which is badly strained.; St. Paul's Caholic church was also strained and the Convent damaged. Harbour Board sheds are badly damaged, also | the wharves including the ferro concrete wool wharf damaged, worse than in 1931.