148 . Transactions. 



Islands are situated near the centre where the disturbance of the sea level 

 originated, and the coast of South Australia as one of the most westerly 

 points where it was perceptible, and allowing it the same power, which 

 without doubt it possessed, to move as far in an easterly direction, we shall 

 then find that its effects were felt over more than ninety degrees of longitude, 

 or a fourth of the circumference of the globe. 



Prom the valuable communication of Captain Gribson, we obtain reliable 

 information of what took place in Lyttelton Harbour. It appears that four 

 distinct waves, of which the second was the smallest, entered that harbour : 



Hour. Intervals. 

 A.M. H.M. 



The first and highest wave reached the Lyttelton wharf at 4.30 — 



The second and smallest ... ... ... ...7.15 2.45 



The third ... ... ... ... ...9.30 2.15 



The fourth and last ... ... ... ...11.0 1.30 



after which only minor disturbances took place. It will also be seen, from 

 this list, that the difference in time became less as these waves succeeded 

 each other. 



The next bay of which we possess reliable accounts is Pigeon Bay, in 

 which Mr. Gr. H. Holmes has recorded the principal facts. 



Here, the first rush of water entered about 4 o'clock, but no exact time 

 was observed, the overseer of Messrs. Holmes and Co. only hearing the 

 rumbling noise as if of rushing water. Therefore, we may fix it at the same 

 time as it arrived in Lyttelton, 4.30 a.m., rising 4 feet above spring tides. The 

 second wave was observed at 7.15 a.m., giving an interval of 2h. 45m. ; the 

 rise of water above spring tides was 1 foot. The third rush came at 9.45 a.m., 

 giving an interval of 2h. 30m. ; the rise of water above spring tides was 

 4 feet. So far, the observations agree with those of Lyttelton Harbour, but 

 instead of now only showing minor oscillations, the water cont^'nued its rush 

 into that smaller bay with even greater velocity. Thus, about midday a 

 fifth wave came with still more force and velocity, rising 5 feet. The sixth 

 and highest arrived forty minutes later, at 12.40 p.m., rising 7 feet above 

 spring tides. And lastly, the seventh, at 1.5 p.m., after which the waves 

 diminished considerably, arriving at intervals of three-quarters of an hour. 

 These facts are corroborated by Mr. Robert Townsend, District Surveyor, 

 who happened to be in Pigeon Bay at the time, and who measured the ver- 

 tical height of the water above spring tides. 



Advancing towards the south-east, along the Peninsula, we reach Okain 

 Bay, where the earthquake waves were also high and destructive. I owe 

 the information which I possess about that locality to Mr. Greorge Bishop, 

 who resides there. This gentleman did not observe the early waves, but 



