THE LATE EARTHQUAKE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1790, 15 September 1888, Page 1

THE LATE EARTHQUAKE.

Wellington, September 12

Mr Gordon, Inspecting Engineer of the Mines Department, was despatched South some days ago to enquire and report on the result of the Earthquakes in the South Island, with more immediate reference to the probable effects upon the concrete baths proposed to be erected at Hanmer Plains. He ascertained that no damage had been caused in the immediate vicinity of the Springs, and saw no reason why the work* in contemplation Bhould not be proceeded with. Judging from all that he saw and heard, Gordon concluded, that the earthquake was due rather to chemical than to direct volcanic actions and that the seat of the disturbance was somewhere in the triangle that would be described between Lake Sumner, G-lynn Wye, and Cannibal Gorge. The reason why the shocks were felt with particular severity m the Gorge, would be that most of the stations affected are situated on the line of a known fault in the earth. Mr Gordon thinks that the gradual upheaval of the molten dyke through the upper strata of rocks would account for the rumbling subterranean sounds which were heard in the district for some weeks prior to the disturbance, and that the action of tb« fiery mass in liberating gases and causing their explosion would sufficiently account for the. rent which caused the earthquake. Tlje immense volumes of sulphuretted hydrogen ga« whichever© apparent to residents in the disturbed region during the prevalence of the tremors would appear to Bupport this theory. Sept. 13.

Some interesting facts bearing on the recent earthquake were brought before a meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society on Wednesday night. Mr Maskell, President of the Society, read an essay on the system of architecture adopted in Wellington, and insisted upon the erroneousness of the doctrine now generally entertained that there is less danger from earthquakes at present than of yore. B> rented out various faults in construction which tend to ■ weaken the the resistance to earthquakes. The most sensational statements, of the evening, however, were by Mr A. McKay, Assistant Geologist. This gentleman insisted that, though Wellington did not suffer by the late convulsion, it lies on the line in which the disturbance originated. The fault was traceable. from Tinakori; road to Cook Strait, and reappeared in the South Island at Lake Grassmere, on the Elaxbourne Estate, whence it could be followed for sixty mile« across country to Hanmer Plains, passing within 1H miles of the residence of Mr Low, which suffered seriously in the late quake in the Hanmer district. The down-throw was about-10,000ft, but in the vicinity of Wellington it was not more than 500 ft. This displacement had taken place within comparatively modern times, geologically speaking. The movements had been going on for the last 500,000 years, and were not likely to cease for perhaps another 5Q0,000 years.