A LAND SUBSIDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8112, 17 May 1906, Page 3

A LAND SUBSIDENCE.

LARGE RESIDENTIAL AREA AFFECTED. "SHRINKING" OF A COAL FIELD. Sydney, May 16, A sensational subsidence occurred at Newcastle last night. Shepherd's Hill form? ono of the most favoured residential sites, and occupies a position adjacent to the underground workings of the sea pit. It is sarmised a creep his taken place ia some, portions of the working, causing the surface to be rent and buckled. About 300 acres suffered. Terrace Street has been considerably affected by tho subsidence. The houses are mostly of brick,, and everyone of them is more or less damaged, while water and gas mains have been twisted and broken.

Residents ot the Hill tclt the earth trembling, the effect being most severe about half way up.

I On Terrace street the walls of the I houses were thrown out of plumb, the cracks ranging up to two inches wide. Lawns and backyards are lined with crevices.

The residents quickly evacuated their homes, many seeking refuge with relatives or at hotels in the city. The masonry of the forts cracked in places, and much injury was caused to gun mountings.

Viewed from any point it seemed as if the whole hill had lost its founda tion and subsidised a couple oj inches.

The rupture of tlie water main trained the high pressure tank containing several thousand gallons on the apex oE the hill. The water did not come to the surface, but found its way underground. Further subsidence if feared. The water is escaping fast from the main reservoir at Newcastle... Gangs of men are endeavouring to stop the overflow.