CEAwroKD. — Geology of tlie North Island of New Zealand, 827 



tte Hawke Bay Proviuce, and considerable local changes of level there 

 appear to have taken place. A description of several of these earthquakes 

 may be found in Taylor's work, page 226 et seq. 



The natives have traditions of many earthquakes having happened before 

 the arrival of the settlers. 



Earthquakes are generally looked upon as the manifestation of a destruc- 

 tive force, whereas, if rightly considered, they indicate a great conservative 

 power, which balances the relation of land and water on the surface of the 

 globe, and it may not be out of place to remark, that in many countries 

 subject to their effects we find the ancient seats of civilization. In the East 

 we find these in China and Japan, in India and Mesopotamia, all earthquake 

 countries. In JEurope and Africa, the old haunts of arts, science, and philo- 

 sophy — Egypt, G-reece, and Italy — are earthquake countries. In America 

 the highest civilization to Avhich the old race attained was reached by the 

 Aztecs of Mexico and the subjects of the Incas of Peru, both races inhabiting 

 earthquake countries " par excellence" of the American continent. 



The most fertile lands of the Southern Hemisphere are those Avhich 

 are and have been subjected to great igneous and earthquake action ; and 

 the varied outline, and in consequence the Avell-watered and fertile lands 

 of New Zealand, might be disadvantageously exchanged for the broader 

 and more level, less earthquake shaken, but arid expanse of the Australian 

 plains. 



The present information as to earthquakes in New Zealand may be 

 summarized as follows : — 



Mr. Edward "Weller felt shocks of very great force in Stewart Island 

 in the year 1833, and it is probable that there may have been many shocks 

 since that time. 



Mr. Mantell collected information from the Maoris, that very severe 

 shocks had formerly been felt in Otago. 



The earthquake of 1855 was marked in this latter province by a great sea 

 wave, and since then various slight shocks have been felt at different times 

 by the settlers. 



In Canterbury the information with regard to earthqiiakes is imperfect, 

 but many minor shocks have been felt, and the earthquake of 1855 was felt 

 severely. 



In Cook Strait earthquake shocks have been more numerous than 

 elsewhere since the settlers arrived. The severest shocks, as before stated, 

 were in the years 1848 and 1855. At Taranaki shocks have been very 

 numerous, and some of them tolera,bly severe. At Napier the shocks latterly 

 have been more severe than elsewhere ; and at Auckland many minor shocks 

 have been felt, with a few of rather decided character. 



