152 Transactions. 



usual explanation of a central or linear earthquake, the focus of which 

 would be situated in a N.E. direction from New Zealand, cannot be adopted, 

 and that we have to seek for another explanation which will satisfy us more 

 fully. 



But before entering into a consideration of this subject, I will first offer 

 a short description of that phenomenon as observed in Christchurch and its 

 neighbourhood. According to a communication of Mr. Bird, the Telegraph 

 Inspector residing in this city, the shock was felt at the Christchurch Tele- 

 graph Ofiice as nearly as possible at 9.56^ a.m. on 17th August. It lasted, 

 according to the generally received reports, about four seconds, although it 

 appeared to me that all was over in about two seconds. It consisted of two 

 slight shocks, moving apparently from north to south, with an easterly 

 tendency, but opinions about its direction are greatly divided. I myself 

 stated that it had advanced from south to north, without doubt owing to the 

 fact that the movement of my house, in which I was sitting at a writing 

 table, was in the direction opposite to the shock, as this is generally the 

 case. Many observers state that the oscillations came from the east, and 

 pointed to pendulums and gther objects which were able to swing in the 

 direction imparted to them by the shocks ; but we ought to remember that 

 the vibratory jars are very often turned locally from their main direction by 

 a difference in the physical features of the countiy. 



No damage was done by these oscillations of the ground, although they 

 were powerful enough to cause the ringing of bells and the cracking of the 

 timbers in the houses, to such an extent that many of their inhabitants ran 

 into the streets, expecting some still greater convulsions. 



It is a fortunate circumstance that the clocks in the telegraph offices 

 throughout New Zealand keep Wellington time, because we have thus the 

 ready means of knowing, with some degree of certainty, the exact moment 

 when the shocks were felt in different parts of the colony. 



Thus, the Wellington shock is noted as having occurred at 9.56 a.m., 

 whilst the observations of the Christchurch station fix it at 9. 56 J a.m., and 

 consequently only thirty seconds elapsed between them. Mr. Bird made 

 me a very interesting communication, which shows not only that the shock 

 was first felt in Wellington, but also that the intervals as stated must be 

 correct, at least within a few seconds. 



The Wellington operator was at that time sending a telegram to Christ- 

 church, when he suddenly stopped for a short time, which, as the Christchurch 

 operator thinks, was about a quarter to half a minute. When beginning 

 again after that interval, he asked, "Did you feel that?" after which the 

 shock reached the Christchurch ofiice. The transmission of the four words 

 " Did vou feel that " takes about eight seconds ; if, consequently, we take 



