The Indianapolis times., 1931-02-03
new ZEALAND QUAKE
KILLS HUNDREDS, 1000
INJURED, SAYS REPORT
Stricken Region Shaken by
New Shocks, Hampering
Relief Work.
TOWNS ARE IN RUIN
Tidal Waves, LandSIideS
and Fire Add Horror
to TremOrS.
By United Press

ny CfsttN 4 COO
AUCKLAND, New Zealand. Feb.
wednesday,. - A devastating
earthquake, accompanied by land
slides, tidal waves and fire, caused
immense property damage, and an
undetermined loss of life along the
east coast Of North island, New
Zealand. Tuesday
North island was shaken again at
midnight by new tremors which
were less violent
The new tremors, which occurred
at intervals, hampered the feverish
work of rescue in the stricken dis
trict around Napier, where semi
official advices reported 100 dead.
and Hastings, where 81 we're known
killed and 100 others unofficially
estimated dead. Thousands were
reported injured.
The earthquake, which caused a
twisting or shifting of certain
undersea regions along the coast
and was reported to have raised the
harbor floor at Napier eighteen feet,
wrecked most of the business build
ings at Napier and Hastings.
Heavy Loss of Lives
First reports received here came
from ships along the coast and by
radio-telephone. The damage was
summarized as follows:
NAPIER-EaSt coast town with a
population of over 1000, reported
practically razed; fire followed
earthquake which ruined ordinary
water supply; flames fought bv
water pumped from sea; loss Of
life estimated at 100; dwellings ON
cliff 300 feet high tIlmbled into sea:
general hospital reported buried in
landslide; harbor bottom believed
raised permanently; ships fled to
open sea to escape being stranded
III suddenly decreasing water.
Landslide Blocks River
HASTINGS-A few miles inland.
southwest Of Napier, officially stated
tWenty-one persons dead, but unof-
flcial estimates high as 100; town
extensively damaged; six fires fol-
lowed earthquake in business dis
trict.
GISBORNE-On the east coast,
about one hundred miles north of
Napier, almost every building dam
aged; fatalities undetermined.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS prop
erty damage; landslide blocked the
river Rangitaiki.
WAIPUKURAU - Hospitals,
schools, postofice, all larger build
ings damaged or destroyed; bridges
and roads throughout wide area
disrupted, delaying efforts at res
cue and threatening survivors with
food shortage; loss of life not yet
reported.
Refugees Panic Stricken
TAUPO-Extensive property dam
age; no fatalities reported.
ROTORUA-About 120 miles in
land from Napier, apparently entire
district between these towns was in
quake zone; many buildings shaken
and damaged; first reports men,
toned no loss Of life.
Refugees from Napier fled panic
stricken toward the south. Disrupted
roads and debris from landslides
made their progress difficult. Others
were taken aboard warShipS and
other vessels in Napier harbor.
Merchant vessels were ordered to
stand by and assist the survivors,
but their efforts we're hampered by
the astounding change in the for
nation of Napier bay. Apparently
the harbor bottom had risen perma-
nently.
Naval SIOop Stranded in Bay
The Veronica, a naval sloop, was
caught when water rushed from the
bay and left stranded on the ocean
bottom. She was refloated by sub
sequent tidal wave.
Reports from along the coast said
that the phenomenon recorded at
Napier was observed elsewhere. It
was said that the ocean bottom,
usually covered to a depth of fifty
feet, was visible as the water re-
ceded during the most intense part
Of the earthquake.
The greatest losses of life at
Napier were DelleNeQ Oue 10 tlle
collapse of the towns largest hotel.
a three-story brick building, and
the tumbling Of numerous resi-
dences on a cliff into the sea.
The center Of the town was re-
ported almost wiped out by the
earthquake and subsequent fire.
Apparently the disturbance CEN
tered af Nanipr a116 avfandod a horn
100 miles north and west and about
fifty miles south. There was pos
sibility that ships at sea might have
been affected.
The first relief forces were EN-
route TO Napier on British cruisers
which were making twenty-four
knots end due to arrive at daybreak.