EXAGGERATED REPORTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 17 July 1929, Page 3

EXAGGERATED REPORTS

IN AMERICAN PAPERS "KATE 01V L!000 INHABJTANTK" '.By Telofffanh—(Special to "Tho Mail") AUCKLAND, 16th July The following news of tin- earthquake in New /.ealand has been received i>v lead from the United States, having appeared in 'The New York Times"': London, 1011 l June. Mystery surrounds Liu* fate of 2000 Inhabitants of Lyell, in the north part of the South Island of New Zealand, who have hern unheard of since an earthquake devastated the island yesterday. Motor coaches which are known to have left the town on that day have never arrived al their destinations. Situated between Westport and Mnrchison, Lyell received the brunt of New Zealand's greatest, seismic, eruption since 1855. Nor has the horror yet, abated. Late to-night reports of further tremors and continuous explosions were still being received. West port itself, the nearest big town to Lyell. has been practically razed. In a vain effort to learn the fare of thousands trapped in this territory airplanes circled over Westport and the neighbouring villages today. They have, brought- back no statements from the inhabitants, for there was scarcely a building left standing and the total number of dead is unknown. Murchison, the next town visited, was not only equally de-

serted, bill even its remains are in imminent danger of being obliterated by ihe rising waters of the Bullor river. Then! is a mountain gorge behind thej town and this tremendous weigh! of water is now poised for a wild sweep down into the underlying country. Only a mass of earth thrown up by the earthquake holds back Ihe water and it is reported that this loose though mountainous mass cannot long resist the increasing pressure. The inhabitants of Mnrchison said they had passed a "night of hell" after finally reaching positions ill' greater safety by motor coaches and special trains. Reports as to how il all happened are vague, but one thing these horror-stricken women and children agree on is that their hometown looks like a gigantic scrap heap. Others tell of "hills flattened out before them, seeming to slide away almost hall' a mile." Between these deserted villages whose fate is sadly enough known, lies Lyell, whose; fate ip unknown. Thousands are gathoi'cl al all tho -working telegraph stations awaiting word of their friends and relatives missing in this town which was the. centre of the 'quake, and meanwhile 'planes, the only means of communication, are bringing back only descriptions and no personal messages.