EARTHQUAKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1745, 7 August 1917, Page 3

EARTHQUAKE.

A very severe earthquake was -experienced in this district at about 3.20 yesterday morning. People were awakened by a rumbling noise, followed by two earth rocking motions. Houses creaked and crockery fell. Fortunately there was no twist in the movement, which appeared to be from north to south, otherwise considerable damage would have been occasioned. One or two minor tremblings followed the big waves. No serious damage was done locally. There was a prolonged shock at Pahiatua, buildings rocked violently, and there were several smaller .shakes at intervals up to 5 o’clock. The direction appeared to lie from north to south. Chimneys wore razed to (he ground, windows and glass doors broken, brick walls suffered, and articles in private houses and business places smashed. Hundreds of pounds worth of damage was done in some parts of the Mastcrton district, and several narrow (‘scapes are reported. At Wellington it was the severest shake experienced for some years. Slight shocks were also felt about 4 and 5 o'clock. No damage is reported. Both clocks in the general post office stopped.