EARTHQUAKES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 237, 25 February 1913, Page 5

EARTHQUAKES.

A TERRIEYIXG EXPERIENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Westport, Monday. Earilirjuaki' shocks have been practically continuous from 12.110 on Saturday till 8 a.m. to-day. There were pronounced shakes at .3.30 a.m., 7.30 a.m. and 7.45 a.m., accompanied by a noise similar to that of cannonading. No damage has been done since the first big shock. Women and the younger portion of the population have been in a state of apprehension. In three or four places in the district narrow fissures were opened in the ground, mostly in "made" grounds. Some headstones were displaced in the cemetery, and scores of gas mantles were broken in the town. Quite a "sea" raged in the river. All hands below on the steamer Karori rushed on to the deck. Arriving steamers report there was no disturbance at sea.

It is impossible to count the number of chimneys damaged, and nearly every household in the district had articles thrown down, with extensive breakages in many places. The men inside the collieries report a terrifying experience. ' It seemed as if a general collapse was imminent, but no actual damage was done to the mines. The plaster in the ceilings of the State schools is loose, and is in danger of falling. The children dispersed this morning, pending repairs. There were slight cracks in the wall of the Wcstport Goal Company's laboratory; also £lO worth of chemicals were destroyed. There have been no further shocks since 7.45 a.m.