FEW CHIMNEYS LEFT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 June 1942, Page 3

FEW CHIMNEYS LEFT

POSITION IN THE PIRINOA DISTRICT DAMAGE DONE TO ROADS. SHAKE VERY HEAVY AT TAUERU. Much damage was done in the Pirinoa district, where few chimneys are left. The approaches to the bridge over the Ruamahanga River at Kahutara have dropped two or three feet. Householders have suffered severe losses in crockery and some have hardly anything left intact. Some damage was done to the Pirinoa Post Office. Telephone lines are down. The road from Mangapakeha to Bennett’s Hill is badly knocked about, there being numerous cracks and subsidences. The Taueru Bridge approaches have dropped down about two feet. Chimneys are down everywhere. Houses at Taueru and Tinui received a severe shaking. It is reported that the earthquake was heavier at Tinui than at other places on the coast.

ST. BRIDE’S CONVENT WRECKAGE IN INTERIOR OF BUILDING. CHIMNEY FALLS THROUGH DORMITORY ROOF. At St. Bride’s Convent there is not a chimney standing. One chimney crashed through the roof of a dormitory and the beautiful altar in the chapel has been very badly damaged. All the statues have also been broken and the interior of the building bears a wrecked appearance. In St. Patrick’s Church the statues were smashed, but there does not appear to be any structural damage. No damage was done at St. Patrick’s School. ONLY CASUALTY REPORTED IN MASTERTON. MAN’S ARM CUT BY GLASS. The. only casualty reported was cuts to the arm, suffered by Mr Frederick Hunt who put his arm through a glass door ’ when going to see his children. He was attended to by an A.S.C. medical orderly and conveyed to hospital for medical attention. HOUSES KNOCKED ABOUT DAMAGE AT RANGITUMAU. Considerable damage was done at Rangitumau, particularly to the houses of Messrs Eric McLaren, Fred Wrigley, R. Cameron and the old Heckler homestead. Very few chimneys are left standing. SERVICES SUSPENDED TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONES. Up till 2 p.m. today no telephonic, communication with Wellington was available from Masterton, while telegrams were being sent to the city by aeroplane. Urgent official business was being despatched by radio.

AT ALFREDTON ALMOST EVERY CHIMNEY DOWN. In the Alfredton district the earthquake did considerable damage to houses, breaking crockery and electric appliances. Almost every chimney in the district is down. Considerable damage was done to the stock at the store of Messrs A. H. Herbert and Co.