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A compilation of the recollections of eight people who were in the Napier earthquake, which struck on February 3, 1931. (Actual recording and broadcast dates unknown.)
1. Father Neville (a Roman Catholic priest) Describes experiencing quake at home as a boy in Munro Street near the gasworks. He thought it was the end of the world and ran across back yard but fell due to quake. He said his prayers and saw shockwaves coming through the ground from the sea. There was a huge cloud of dust over the town from cliffs falling. They built an open fire outside and cooked on it. (08'00)
2. Harvey Popplewell. Was on duty outside the Post Office corner. Saw a motorbike thrown about five yards into the road by the force of the ground movement. Couldn't bear to be indoors after quake; most people lived outdoors for a week or two afterwards. (01:48)
3. Mr Norman. Was 'on guard' during quake; saw waves moving through the street. (00:45)
4. Bill Ennor. (Fire officer?) An engine had shot through the door in the quake. Describes trying to fight fires after quake, no water; fire station was on fire. More fires in the days after the quake, got water out of sewers. Demolition and rebuilding of St Paul's Church. (03:50)
5. L. Masters, farmer. Was at Twyford harvesting lucerne; horse nearly fell; ground cracked and water spurted out higher than load of hay; huge springs erupted at Raupiri, describes liquefaction silt and flooding; lake formed in aftershock 9 days later on Ngatapera (?) station; had to move farm buildings by floating them and hauling on wires; (05:44)
6. Bernie Reade. Very high seas two days before quake; was in line outside Marist Bros School before quake about to march indoors; watched chimneys snapping off and rolling down roof. Brothers told them to kneel and say prayers; heard lorries all night taking bodies to the morgue. (05:25)
7.Cedric White. Worked in a legal office in Herschell St; saw trees lashing, Masonic Hotel crashed; front of building opposite fell off; second quake had upward thrust, threw fences out of the ground; fires breaking out. (04:00)
8. Mrs Latta. Working in Roach's store; building collapsed; staff trapped and then building caught fire.(04:00)