This Morning’s Earthquake.

Manawatu Herald, 9 August 1904, Page 3

This Morning’s Earthquake.

THE SEVEREST FELT FOR YEARS. NO LOSS OF LIFE REPORTED. One of the heaviest seismic disturbances that have been felt in Foxton for many years occurred this morning at about x 0.26, causing some consternation in the town. Five minutes or so before the shock, a hot wind passed over the town, apparently heralding the approach of the earthquake. The latter was accompanied by a dull, roaring sound. The townspeople, and especially the ladyfolk were considerably upset, in fact nearly everybody rushed out of doors into the road fully expecting that some of the buildings would be wrecked. A regular panic occurred in the school. Immediately the shock began the children, disregarding the teachers, made a bolt for the doers, and some of these getting jammed, the confusion was increased. The alarm, however, soon subsided, and an hour afterwards they were playing in the school-ground just as though nothing had happened. Despite its violence, the earthquake caused little damage, except to a few chimneys. We believe it was felt nearly all over the country though reports are not yet to hand. The shock was heavy at Levin, but was not severe at Shannon. Probably it is the first instalment of the great storm predicted by Mr Wragge a few days ago, though the latter did not state that the storm would include earthquakes. The earthquake this morning was severely felt in the Wairarapa, a telegram received from Greytown saying that considerable damage was done in that town. Chimneys are reported to be down everywhere, and the interior of shops dismantled, Windows injthe Catholic Church were broken, and the altar ornaments smashed to pieces. Three hotels estimate their damage at about £IOO respectively, U.F.C.A, £2OO, and Loasby shopkeeper, estimates his damage at £SO. Other damage in a minor degree was also done, but no loss of live is happily reported. The sharp quake caused much consternation in Palmerston and Wellington. In the former town a telephone message informs us a general stampede of the occupants from all the business places and dwellings was made, and some time elapsed before the residents recovered from their equilibrium. In Wellington it is said the shock caused the occupants of the larger buildings a great scare, the officials in Ibe Post Office falling pell mell over Rfch other down the staircases to escape the impending disaster.