THE EARTHQUAKE.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 365, 4 March 1876, Page 3

THE EARTHQUAKE.

On Saturday morning, at about 3 a.m., a-slight shock of earthquake was felt at Naseby—many persons being awakened. A second shook about 8.50 was also distinctly felt, when standing near doors or windows, although not readily apparent otherwise. The direction is supposed to have been north and south; but, in the absence of correct observations, the opinion, as elsewhere, is of little weight. Dunedin and Oamaru report a more severe experience. The 'Guardian' received the following particulars of the earthquake at Oamaru :—We have had a series of earthquake shocks, perhaps the most severe ever experienced in the South Island of New Zealand. About five minutes past three this morning the first shock was felt, shaking houses and breaking the crockery everywhere. About twenty minutes after there was another, but scarcely as powerful as the first, and another (mild) an hour afterwards. On visiting the new buildings between eight and nine o'clock I found several stones had been' displaced, but no serious damage done. At five minutes to nine there was another shock, more severe than the previous one, shaking substantial houses to their very foundations, and in some cases causing stones to fall. Several narrow escapes r. ighfc be recorded, but to enumerate them would exceed the limits of a telegram. I may, however, state that some of the terrace masonr} r of the Star and Garter and the Empire Hotels were brought to the ground. A number of new buildings, including Si. Paul's (Scotch) Church, have the Vails displaced and much damaged. Chimneys in all directions are being taken down as being dangerous. Should there be another shock, the result, I fear, will be very serious. There is a heavy sea on. February 27. There was a sharp earthquake shock at 1 a.m. to-day, and another at five minutes past six o'clock, which was milder, and, I am informed, a third about eight, but did not feel it, therefore it must have been very light. The day has been oppressively sultry. The sea was greatly agitated, and most of the vessels put to sea. It has now calmed, and nearly all have returned. No accident to life has occurred on either land or water here from the convulsions. There is nothing to hand shewing that the shocks extended further north thau Timafu. In Dunedin the Gsst shock was very severe, but the damage^, rfppeapsi to have been confined to dimmers.'aud crockery, . ""'' --, ~