AN EARTHQUAKE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 283, 27 May 1912, Page 4

AN EARTHQUAKE

The most severe and alarming shock ol earthquake experienced in New Ply. mouth for many years occurred at two minutes past six o'clock last night. The afternoon had been close and "broodv" and comparatively still. The shock was preceded by a loud rumbling noise simiar to the sudden rising of the wind. It lasted for ever 50 second*, and was exceptionally sev,re. Scores of people ruahed out inio the open in alarm, but fortunately very little damage was done. Several chimneys in the town were dislodged and there was some minor damage to crockery and windows, but otherwise property escaped well. No damage was done at the oil bores, but the manager stated that the No o bore had been flowing exceptionally strongly all day and had shown several hard bursts.

The earthquake moved from an easterly direction.

A cablegram from Sydney on Saturdaynight stated that the seismograph at m observatory had recorded a severe shoe* of earthquake. The quake was estimated to have its centre about 000 miles away, in a north-easterly direction, towards Japan. The needle of the seismograph was deflected half an inch, which indicates that the shock was of an exceptionally severe nature.