The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1931-02-06
new ZEALAND CITIES DESTROYED
BY EARTHQUAKE; FOUR HUNDRED
ARE KILLED, THOUSANDS HURT
Entire City Flattened by Earth TremorStores of the
Tragedy in Seaport Town Come Out as Relief Work Is
Commenced Aid Being Rushed to Scene by Sea, Air
and Land-British Warships Caring for Injured

Auckland, N. H., Feb. 3.-Earth-
quake and fire leveled the city of
Napier, N. D., today leaving a cas-
ualty list reported at 400 dead and
1000 injured, and wrecked four
nearby towns, causing an undeter-
mined number of fatalities and in
juries.
Napier was still ablaze and vir-
tually helpless tonight, the quake
having cut off its water supply.
It's stunned populace stood by, un-
able to count its dead and without
effective means of fighting the
fire. Dynamiting was resorted to
in an attempt to check the flames
The first shock came shortly be-
fore II a. m. shaking a large por-
tion of the coastal region of
Hawkes. Bay province, of which
Napier is the capital Hastings,
town Is miles from Napier, re-
ported 81 dead and 100 injured.
The towns of Waipawa and Wal
pukurau also suffered. Fire from the
Napier blaze caused the shutting
off of oil in the tanks at Fort Anu
riri.
The British war ship Veronica, an
chOred at Napier was grounded but
subsequently refloated The steamer
Northumberland headed for sea when
/ the water in the harbor began to re-
cede.
British warships left Auckland for
Napier under forced draft with sc
doctors and Is nurses. Emergency
hospitals, food depots and police
protection We're organized and tenn
porary hospitals set up. The Yer
onica became a refuge for women
and children.
The whole business area Of Napier
one-half mile square, was destroyed
by earthquake and fire.
wellington, N. T., Feb. a. The
Hawkes. Bay district on North Islanc
which was devastated by last night:
earthquake has been generally re
garded as immune to seismic distur
Dances.
A quake in June, 1929, accounted
for II deaths but between 1S4S ant
1928 only seven persons were killet
in earthquakes in New Zealand.
Napier has a population of abou
10000. 1t is noted principally as al
export city for mutton, dairy pro
ducts and fruit to the British Isles
The city is built on high hill
and is the rail head for a 200 mil
railroad to Wellington.
The Napier hospital nurses HON
collapsed killing several patient
There were Fl dead in Hastings
Smaller towns in the vicinity suffer
V ed accordingly.
- | Rnnnrf
Z uing late tonight and hundreds al
! ranged to sleep in the open. All con
n munication with the outside worl
: is severed except wireless which d.
1ivered the first reports of the di'
e aster.
g Wellington, N. z, Feb. 4.-Deva!
tating shocks falling like blows of
sledge hammer upon the seaport
Napier, North Island, N. H., hal
S left the city a tangled mass of ruiz
> through which fires blazed furiou
ly late last night.
l. Bluff Hill, a cliff on the outskir
It of Napier fell in upon itself, carr
+ ing with it the houses built alol
it's slopes.
le IT have just returned from cor
ct plete inspection of this town." t
at commander of the Veronica radioe
- practically every stone building h
= been destroyed and in many cas-
~ they are blazing furiously.
le 1.-THE earth shocks are still occur
&c ing and 1 have learned that ma
. people were killed while they we
n sitting in their parked AUTOMOBILE
The population is quiet. There is
disorder among them and they seel
ed to be stunned by the magnitu
of this disaster"
nv "a heavy pail of dust arises fro
rv the ruins and mingled with
Z smoke from the burning building
VI gives a terrifying aspect.
er, "As soon as the earth tremC
n cease desperate efforts will be ma
or to rescue those entombed in the
@I ms of the buildings"