WESTPORT STILL QUAKING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 716, 16 July 1929, Page 1

WESTPORT STILL QUAKING

Severe Shake This Morning

WOMEN’S NERVES FAILING

Press Association WESTPORT, Today. FOLLOWING the big shock experienced at tv'27 last evening. a more severe earthquake was felt at 3.4 > this morning. On both occasions the town was severely shaken and this morning the effect on most people's nerves is most serious. Many women are in a state of collapse. Instead of easing off, the ’quakes appear to be gaining in severity.

Mail and service cars made the first trip from Nelson to Westport yesterday via Maruia. Passengers had to be taken in boats across the river and had to walk three miles. The cars arrived in Westport at 12.20 a.m. Gibbs Motors decided not to run again until the road is more satisfactory, but Newmans intend to keep up the service if possible. A good deal of snow was encountered on the trip. SECOND LONGEST SHAKE REPORTS FROM CHRISTCHURCH Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. Christchurch was shaken at 8.29 p.m. today by an earthquake which exceeded in severity all the earth movements experienced since June 17, but fell short in magnitude of that of the date named. Minor shocks followed. There was no damage to the telegraph lines and apparatus, and there were no ill-effects to the electrical supply. An officer of the Railway Department advised that no damage occurred to the railway lines, as far as could be ascertained, or to the Otira tunnel. .

Mr. H. F. Skey, director of the magnetic observatory, stated this evening that the first shock was a little more violent than the two experienced at 3 a.m. and 6 a.in. on June 23. PEOPLE RUSH TO STREETS SMALLER SHOCK FOLLOWS Press Association WESTPORT, Monday. One of the biggest earthquake shocks since that of June 17 occurred at 5.29 p.m. today. It -was followed by another but less sustained one about six minutes later. The big shake sent people in alarm out into the streets, but at the Roman Catholic Church, where mission services were being held, although the edifice was rocking and the lanjps swinging violently, all save about halt a dozen of the congregation remained in their seats. The Rev. Father McCarthy went on calmly with his sermon.

ALARM AT GREYMOUTH NO SHARP SHOCK FELT Press Association GREYMOUTH, Monday. An earthquake lasting about half a minute was experienced in the Grey district at 8.28 p.m. today. It caused a renewal of apprehension. It was followed seven minutes later by a minor shock. The motion was not sharp, but gradually increased, and was sustained as long as that of any shock since the big one of June 17. The direction apparently was from north to south. No damage has been reported. RUGBY UNION ANNOYED NOT A “MINOR AFFAIR” Press Association WESTPORT, Monday. The Managament Committee of the Buller Rugby Union has resolved to wire to the New Zealand Rugby Union protesting against the alleged remark of the All Blacks’ manager in Sydney, Mr. J. McLeod, that the earthquake was a minor affair. It was stated that in damage to public and private property the earthquake had no parallel in New Zealand history. OTHERS FEEL SHOCKS The earthquake shocks were also felt in the Nelson district, but were of a minor nature. The weather during the week-end there was dull, and rain fell steadily. Wanganui felt the shake a little after 8.30 last evening, followed by the smaller shock. The first one lasted two Yninutes, and appeared to be in a north and south direction. The earth tremor was only slight at Invercargill. EXPLOSION A MYSTERY Press Association WELLINGTON, Monday, j No authoritative explanation is available regarding the explosion off Cape Farewel. One suggestion is that a mine laid by a German raider during the war exploded. Another is that a waterspout coincided with a lightning j discharge.