232 
THE GEOLOGY OF NEW ZEALAND. 
But although there is abundant proof of upheavcment still 
going on in the Northern Island, it is trifling when compared 
with that of the Middle Island. The Nelson paper of 
gorges, and you proceed on foot to Burling’s, at the entrance of the valley : 
all parties should avoid the Blue Rock, and diverge to the left down the stream. 
On entering the district, and proceeding to Nick’s on the river, the shock 
appears to have been generally felt as seriously as with yourselves, and the 
only casualties I heard of were four natives reported dead in the lower valley. 
The shocks appear to have occurred simultaneously throughout the whole line 
of country, and the depression of the people’s minds to be both considerable 
and general. I am, Sir, your obedient Servant, 
R. E. WllLRAV. 
Extract from Commander Drury's Remark Book. 
Cook’s Straits, January 25, 1855. 
The Anniversary of the Wellington Settlement was most auspiciously 
celebrated—a brighter or calmer day never beamed on the harbour. The 
boat races, and every description of sports on shore, went off with much good 
humour and eclat, and the only drawback was want of wind for the sailing 
boats. 
In the evening, a light N.W. wind sprang up, which increased gradually 
during the night; and at eight, on the morning of the 23rd, it blew violently. 
The sports, however, continued, and the race-course drew nearly the whole 
population of Wellington : but a drenching rain at noon checked the further 
progress of joviality, which was to be repeated on the morrow. 
At eleven minutes past nine o’clock, p.m., the gale still blowing strong, we 
felt suddenly an uncommon and disagreeable grinding, as if the ship was 
grating over a rough bottom. It continued with severity for more than a 
minute; the ship slewed broadside to the wind; we were then in six fathoms, 
so there was little doubt but that it was an earthquake. Lights were seen 
running to and fro in all parts of the town, and evidences of consternation 
combined with a loud crash. 
Lieutenant Jones and myself immediately landed. We found the tide 
alternately ebbing and flowing. 
The first scene before us on landing was the Government Offices, entirely 
destroyed, the upper story (the falling of which had caused the crash we 
heard), lying on the ground; the staircase, the Council Chamber, the papers 
and documents in heterogeneous confusion; an adjoining chemist’s shop, 
whose simples and compomids admixing, had a decided bias to peppermint; 
while the doorway of the public-house was a confusion of broken bottles. 
The sentinel in charge of the Government building, who had just been thrown 
backwards and forwards, was now walking in front of the wreck, with perfect 
sangfroid, no doubt crying “All’s well” to the hour. 
It is not my intention to narrate more than the general effects and disasters 
of this severe shock; and firstly, we have to be thankful to God, that amidst 
the general wreck of property, but one life has been sacrificed, and not more 
than four others seriously wounded, up to the time of our departure. This 
