A SEVERE SHOCK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 297, 10 December 1908, Page 3

A SEVERE SHOCK.

PROLONGED EARTHQUAKE IN CANTERBURY. SOME EXCITING EXPEUIENCES. LITTLE DAMAGE DONE. Christchurch, Tuesday. A severe earthquake was fell in Christehurch at 11.37 a.m. to day. The shock was of considerable duration, and caused much uneasiness while it lasted, though so far as could he ascertained no damage was done by it. The New Zealand Express Company's building was the scene of considerable excitement, for from its height the effect of the earthquake was felt pretty strongly. Just now there are a goodly number of travellers in the building, and when the shock struck it there was a genera! stampede for the basement. The lift, was for the time being quitci neglected, and a rush set in down the staircase. However, as the building hail bee.' specially built to resist earthquakes, beyond swaying somewhat no

damage was done. The earthquake did not leave a tr.iil of damaged buildings behind it. The Cathedral escaped unscathed, and as far as can be learned no other edifice or structure was depreciated by more than the effects of a shaking. SOME LXPERJ EXCES. Various experiences more or less exciting are related by citizens who happened to be located in some of the higher buildings when the shock happened along. In a popular restaurant, which commands a very exalted view, some of the diners abandoned their luncheon, scurried out of the dining room to the lift, and descended with all haste to the basement. By the time they got there the tremors had subsided, so tluy ascended again and resumed their interrupted meal. Apart from little incidents of this sort the quake seems to have been accepted with admirable sang froid. A sitting of the Supreme Court, with his llonor Mr. Justice Demiiston on the bench, was proceeding, and the usual complement of members of the bar, court ollicials. reporters, and parties to ' the cases were taking the invariable: but placid interest in the case. Sud- ; d'cnlv the lloor heaved, the celling ereak- . Ed and groaned, and the wall shivered horribly. Jt spoke well for the dignity [ I of the' Court that there was no wild

stampede for the open air. While the awesome disturbance was at its height, his llonor remarked: "There's no doubt about this one," and everybody smiled nervously in a^rc 1 incut. A few more rolls mid rocks and quiet. "I -lippn-e wo had better go on." spoke his Honor n«aiii. and the court went oil as though earthquakes 'were quite an ordinary and only a lnildIv interesting occurrciiec. OMINOUS I I! KAKf.

The Provincial Council Chamber nielaphorieally kicked up its ancient heels with juvenile frivolity, nod rucked and creaked ominously fo,- ■ era I sec,mis. Sounds being beard "t purtaius of plaster falling in the corridors, the examination of a witness in a compensation case before the Arbitration Court was temporarily suspended, hut when order was restored among the forces of nature the proceedings resumed the even tenor of their way. I.YTTEI.TO.V STARTLED.

At four minutes before noon 10-Jny l.ytteltou was starl.led by a very violent earthquake. The shock was preceded bv a loud rumbling noise. The direction of the shock appeared to lie from east to we-t. A violent shake lasting for three or four seconds caused the bell of the post office (lock to strike

once. There was then a <liglil pause, followed bv a slill more violent slink?, which lasted for some second-. Many people were .-thinned by the slioeks. which were decidedly unpleasant, and rushed out into the streets. So far as can lie ascertained 110 da mage was done in the town by the quake.—X.Z. rimes special.