THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE AT HAWERA.

Kumara Times, Issue 1734, 21 April 1882, Page 2

THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE AT HAWERA.

The following account of the effects of the recent earthquake at Hawera is given by the local Star j At seven minutes past four people were startled by a low rumbling, in* creasing in volume for a second or two, and accompanied by a slow surging heave of the earth. This half died away, and then commenced a violent shaking, which lasted four or five seconds, AU most everyone rushed into the streets, and falling chimneys and the crash of glass and crockeryware assisted to make things very exciting for a minute or two. The earth quivered for five or six minutes after the violent shaking had ceased, and about ten minutes later the quivering developed into another distinct shock, and then ceased. The chimneys in the town came off very badly. About a dozen were broken and partly thrown down, and twice that number will require repairs more or less extensive. Some, for instance those in the new premises for the Union Bank of Australia and the Bank of Australasia, may have to be taken d -wn and rebuilt. The publicans all suffer loss by bottles and glasses being thrown off the shelves, and the storekeepers each lose a little. There was a great “scare” for half an hour, and then curiosity arose as to how other" places fared. There were many inquiries after the welfare of Wellington, for exagger* rated rumors had spread as to the Empire City having been half wrecked, and loss of life having occurred.