DANGER FROM ’QUAKES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 701, 28 June 1929, Page 1

DANGER FROM ’QUAKES

AUCKLAND FAIRLY SAFE STATEMENT BY GEOLOGIST In view of the damage in other parts of New Zealand as a result of the recent earthquake, Professor J. A. Bartrum, of the Auckland University College, was asked his opinion whether this city were in danger geologically. “The geological probabilities are that Auckland is unlikely to be affected by earthquakes of any great severity, for it is situated well west of any of the really large earth fractures which characterise our New Zealand area,” said Professor Bartrum. “It is true that active movement has been going on fairly recently In the region east of Auckland, as Instanced by the recent Morrinsville shakes, but the line of fracture there is adjacent to one of the main fracture belts of the mid-Auckland area—namely, that which is responsible for the depression occupied by the Hauraki Plains and Firth of Thames. “There seems to be no reason why the owners of buildings erected on reasonably sound lines should have any cause for the least anxiety during this period of ‘earthquake nerves,” he said. MR. FIELD’S ASSURANCE The fulfilment of another prophecy is claimed by Mr. F. R. Field, of Auckland. He had stated that there would be a severe earthquake yesterday, and he claims that the shake recorded at Westport yesterday was in accordance with his anticipation. Mr. Field announces that the next severe ’quake will occur on the night of July 14. So far as Auckland is concerned, Mr. Field says there is nothing to fear. Auckland is as safe, if not safer, than before the recent disturbance. “It is a physical impossibility for an earthquake to occur in Auckland under existing conditions,” he said; “conditions which are likely to prevail for many years to come.”