CREEP AT NEWCASTLE

Otago Witness, Issue 2810, 22 January 1908, Page 28

CREEP AT NEWCASTLE

♦ •ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL DAMAGED. RESIDENTIAL AREA AFFECTED. SYDNEY, Janiiary 17. * A serious creep has set in at Newcastle in the region of Cathedral Hill, on which the Anglican Cathedral stands. Tie creep extends to the business quarter of the city, and affects a dense residential area. The walls of the buildings are cracked in all directions, while the cathe- . dral is seriously damaged. There are cracks 2in wide in the walls, the stainedglass windows have been wrenched from the casement, and the bricks are being snapped in half. One half of the massive structure seems to be sagging away from i the other half. The School of Arts is also much damaged. i January 18. The new creep at Newcastle starts from where the last ended, and embraces an area- of about 30 acres. „ The -damage is estimated at many thousands of pounds. Amongst the buildings that suffered are the fir© brigade station, the Masonic Hall, and a number of large warehouses. The damage to the roadway is also serious. January 20. It is believed that the Newcastle creep, having reached the foot of the hill, has expended its energy. The usual services were held in the cathedral, but a portion I roped off as unsafe.

- NEWCASTLE, January 19. The creep continues in a mild form. The ground appears to be settling down. While this process is going on some old fissures are widening and new ones are breaking out. At the cathedral the cracks have opened more, and the damage has spread from the western part eastwards to within a few yards of the great organ.