The Earthquake.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1402, 28 June 1881, Page 2

The Earthquake.

Yevterdvy morning reports reached us fi oin various parts of the Waikato to the effect that a smart shock of eaithquake had been experienced between 5 and 6 o'clock on Sunday morning. At Cambridge, one informant who passed the night at the Masonic Hotel, said he was lying awake about half past five, when it seemed as though the building was violently shaken, while another who was staying at the " National," says the window was Hung violently open. Both of these, at the time, attributed the cause to the high wind which was blowing, but they have since come to the conclusion that it was caused by an earthquake. The Rev. H. Bull, who also felt a very distinct shock at 5.20 o'clock, says there was no wind at that moment, though the shock was succeeded by a tremendous squall. The earthquake was also felt at Ilautapu, Ohaupo, Te Awamutu and Hamilton. In the latter place seven or eight clocks are known to have stopped at times varying'from a quarter to half past five, so that, allowing for variations in the timepieces, the shock may be said to have occurred at about 5.20. In Hamilton, also, chairs were moved about and beds shaken. It would seem, from all we can learn, that no earthquake has been ielt in the Waikato since the war. Apparently it is identical with one which was felt at Wellington and on the West Coast of the Middle Island which, according to the telegrams which we publish below, occurred about the same time, but no damage was sustained in Waikato such as that mentioned below: — Wellington, Sunday. A most severe shock of earthquake was felt here at 5.22 o'clock this morning. The direction was from E. to W., and the vibration continued for some time. A smaller shock was experienced about 6.30 a.m. The shock created the greatest excitement in town, and all the brick buildings in the city have been examined, but no perceptible damage to any has occurred. In Wellington one or two chimneys were thrown down. The Government offices also suffered. Large pieces of plaster have fallen, and in one office the mantelpiece was carried away. The ceilings of the new police station were also cracked, and in the upper storey several large pieces of plaster fell. It is known that in several of the mercantile stores damage has occurred, but as all the principal places of business are closed to-day, it is not yet known to what extent the injury has been done. Wellington, Last Night. The damago from the earthquake is now ascertained to be insignificant, though it caused great alarm. Nearly every clock in town stopped. Reports from New Plymouth, Greymouth, Blenheim, and up eouatry towns all mention that the earthquake was felt. Palmerston North, Last Night. | A terrible shock of earthquake was felt here yesterday morning. Nine out of every "ten chimneys in the town were knocked down. Waxganui, Last Night. A very severe shock of earthquake was felt here at 5.24 a.m. on Sunday.- Considerable damage was done to chimneys, and in stores glassware and crockeryware fell. A brick house stood all right. It was the severest shock felt for many years. Several other slight shocks have been felt since, but no serious damage is reported from the ( earthquake although in large warehouses some light glassware suffered. The shock was felt at Otaki at 5.25, but no damage was done. At Lower Hutt the chimneys in Lidderford's house were knocked down.

A child has been born at Vinoinnes, Ind. , with wings and the head of a squirrel. It ie announced that the Baroness Bur-dett-Coutts, will, with her husband, visit America. Scotland contains 19,000,000 acres, most of which is' sterile and 'stubborn land. ' Of that which is worth claiming, one man holds 1 ,358, 0130 ' acres } ■ another, , 500,000; a third, 42*,G00] fourlk,, 373,000. ■■ Twelve persons hold^the • bulk.