A STRICKEN TOWN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 57, 25 July 1912, Page 6

A STRICKEN TOWN.

GUADALAJARA IN RUINS. RESIDENT OF TriE MEXIC-iN CITY INTERVIEWED. Auckland, July 22. With reference to' the earthquake in Mexico, which is reported to have laid the town of Gaudalajara in ruins, a resident for thirty years of the stricken city (the "j" is pronounced as an aspirate), Mr. David B. Russell, is at present living in his birthplace, Auckland city, and he gave some interesting details of the town of his adoption, where still possesses large interests if the 'quake has left anything intact. Mr. Russell received letters from Gaudalajara last month, in which it was stated that the town had had a bad shaking up on May 1 last. The Grand Palace was damaged, and the bishop's palace so damaged that the archbishop vacated it and declined to reside there any longer. He lias since been living in a hoase in the suburbs.

Guadalajara is the capital of the State of Haliseo, the largest and most progressive State in Mexico, and its population is nearer 200,000 than the hundred thousand given in the cable, which would seem to indicate that not all the town is in ruins. The city contains many fine buildings, including a splendid cathedral and the De GolTado Theatre, built by the State at a cost of a million and a-half dollars. This building was closed down some time ago owing to a crack developing in the proscenium arch, but Mr. Russell, who is an engineer, persuaded the Government to let him try his hand at repairing . He put in a steel arch, weighing' 8% tons, and, in return, received the use of the building free of all rent and charges for seven years. The work stood the strain of the May 'quake excellently, no sign of weakness appearing.

The last severe earthquake experienced in the town occurred some fifteen years ago, and was connected with the violent awakening of Colt-ma, a volcanic giant some 150 miles away. On that occasion a number of buildings were damaged, but there was no loss of life.

Guadalajara is connected with the port. of Manzanillo, upon which the Government has spent twenty million dollars in shipping facilities. The port is the nearest point on the Xorth American coast to Auckland, and Mr. Russell thinks that it will figure largely in the progress of this city when the Panama Canal is- through. They need coal and firebricks there, and we should supply their wants in these and other directions.

On Mr. Russell's ranch, twenty-five miles outside Guadalajara, is a miniature Piotorua. half a -mile square, and containing boiling springs, fumaroles, geysers and other of the features winch have made the thermal districts world-famous.