454 
THE GEOLOGY OF NEW ZEALAND. 
The next alarming one took place about two o’clock on 
Monday roomings October 16th, 1848, when a series of 
heavy shocks were felt; this visitation established one in- 
teresting fact, that the disturbing cause is not stationary : 
the quarter from which it proceeded had shifted since the 
year 1843 from W.N.W. to W.S.W. : it afterwards, how- 
ever, returned to its former quarter ; the shocks appeared to 
commence gradually, and were preceded by the usual loud 
rumble ; the movement was very violent, and although the 
motion seemed to come from the west, the same as in all 
preceding ones, still it was more from the south than 
usual, and there was also a lateral vibration noticed. This 
earthquake was followed by the escape of noxious gases ; 
afterwards large quantities of bitumen or asphaltum were 
washed up on the coast, some pieces of considerable 
weight. At Ohau gas was ejected from circular openings, 
surrounded by quicksands ; the grand centre of action was 
at Wellington, where most of the houses were more or less 
injured ; indeed, there was scarcely a brick building left 
standing, or a single chimney which was not thrown down. 
Several fissures were formed, and the land was raised so 
much that the small craft which were accustomed to anchor 
close in shore, were obliged to change their ground. 
On the 23rd of January 1855, the south-western part of 
New Zealand was again visited with the most severe earth- 
quakes which have occurred since it has been colonised. 
The native church at Wanganui was thrown down, as well 
as the chimneys of the Mission-house ; in various parts the 
ground opened, so that some places appeared as tThough they 
had been ploughed up in furrows ; large quantities of gas 
and water were ejected from many circular apertures, around 
which, mounds several yards high were formed ; the ground 
was so intersected with deep ravines, as actually to stop all 
travelling for a time ; at Wellington, the harbour is stated 
to have been raised full four feet and a half, and similar 
changes to have taken place in several parts of the district. 
In fact, the raising of sea-beaches seems to have been of 
common occurrence, in every part of the island numerous 
