THE EARTHQUAKE AT HAWERA.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1067, 29 April 1882, Page 3

THE EARTHQUAKE AT HAWERA.

TnmSDAi’s “shake” was certainly ‘the most severe that has been felt in this district since the days of the big earthquakes (twenty or thirty years ago)-, of which the “old inhabitants ” glory in relating exciting stories. At seven minutes past four, people were startled by a low rumbling, in- ' creasing in volume for a second or ’tXvo, and accompained by a low surging heave of the earth. This half died away, and then commenced a Violent shaking, which lasted four or five seconds. Almost everyone rushed into thestreets; and falling of chimneys, and the crash of glass and crockeryware, assisted to make things very exciting for a minu'.e or two. The earth "quivered for five or six minutes after ' the violent shaking had ceased, and about ten minutes later the quivering developed into another distinct shock : and then ceased. The chimneys in town came off very badly. About a dozen were broken and partly thrown down, ami twice that number will require repairs more or less extensive. Some, for instance those in the new' premises for the Union Bank of Australia and the Bank of Australasia may have been taken down and te-buiit. The publicans all suffer loss by bottles and glass being thrown off the shelves ; the storekeepers each lose a little, Mr Pulford being decidedly tire victim, having had a considerable quantity of crockery broken ; and in several private residences articles such as vases, were broken. There was a great “ scare ” for half-an-hour, -and then -curiosity arose as to how other articles fared. There were many enquiries at this office after the welfare of Wellington, for exaggerated rumors had spread as to the Empire <City having been half wrecked, and ■loss of life having occurred.—Hawera ■Star.