HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1931.
NEW ZEALAND EARTHQUAKE CALAMITY. FLYING-BOAT CRASH IN PLYMOUTH SOUND
TERRIFIC SHOCKS ROCK NORTH ISLAND.
APPALLING LOSS OF LIFE FEARED.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AQENCY.)
Many Killed in Motor-cars. "Hundreds of wooden buildings
WELLINGTON, Feb. 4. have been demolished. It is rapidly becoming apparent that the earthquake death-roll is
much heavier than was' at first be- lieved.
7.
•
It is authoritatively estimated that at Hastings alone between 80 and 100 were killed, and many are still buried in the ruins,
It is reported that over 30 are dend in the township of Taradale,
There are grave fears of a big increase on the first estimates of the casualties at Napier.
Havoc and Desolation,
LATER. Along the seashore in front of the Marine Parade of Napier, which is now strewn with wreckage fron the lino. of jagged ruins in the background, sit stricken families wrapped in rugs fearful what to night may bring. Their homes are smashed and their town is a mass of smouldering débris, among which the now Municipal Theatre, one of the finest in the country, the fine Masonic Hotel, two big newspaper offices fitted with the latest equipment, the Presbyterian Church and the beautiful Cathedral are damaged beyond repair.
"The water supply having failed, firemen are unable to cope with the
flames,
"The populace is stunned by the magnitude of the disaster. I have organized food depot and am policing the streets. All destitute women and children have been. taken aboard the Veronica. Many people were killed while sitting parked in their motor-ears."
Fire Adds Havoc to Horror.
Napier evidently suffered most for 50 oil-tanks exploded and the flames swept the town, adding havoc to the horror,
It is estimated that 1,000 persons were injured there.
Towns Obliterated.
The shocks began about 10.48 in the morning and apparently con- tinued intermittently all day long, rocking almost the whole of North Island, heaving up, the sea bottom, changing the face of the coast, obliterating the towns, tearing up holes in the roads and railways, and blocking the rivera.
In spite of the danger, rescue parties including bluejackets with erwbars are working feverishly
amid the ruins.
At, Hastings 10 assistants were
trapped in the debris of a store, and nine hours' work resulted in
broken,
NINE. AIRMEN MISSING.
(THROUGH RECTER'S agency.]
LONDON, Feb. 4.
A Royal Air Force flying-bont of the Blackburn Iris type, propelled
by three d75 horsepower engines, while exercising over Plymouth Sound, crashed into the sea with a shattering explosion.
The flying-boat sock.
Two officers and an airman were rescued injured.
Wing Commander C. G. Tucker and Flying Officer F. K. Wood and seven airmen are missing.
Eye-witnesses state that the 'area to the north of Hawkes Bay and around Gisborne bears a ravished appearance.
Holes in the ground are wide enough to bury sheep.
Tunnels on the railways have collapsed..
The small township of Wairoa is partly in ruins, and it sustained wide cracks in the streets.
Bridges have been destroyed and the railway lines are all blocked by landslides.
ROOBY, Feb. 3.
AWAY.
SHANGHAI-CANTON SUN PAO CHI PASSES
MANILA FLIGHT.
BROPHY READY TO TAKE OFF FROM FOOCHOW.
[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
Foocuow, Feb. 4.
Mr. G. W. Brophy has tuned up his neropians, and is now ready to take off for Canton to-morrow if the weather is favourable,
CANTON-CHUNGSHAN AIR SERVICE.
FORMAL. INAUGURATION NEXT WEEK.
[FROM OUR OWN, CORRESPONDENT.]
CANTON, Feb. 4. ̧
The proposed Canton-Kongmoon- Chungaban air service will be form- Ally inaugurated on February 15, according to official information.
The project has long been under consideration, in view of the com- mercial interdependence of these three places. It is believed that this air service will be a most lucrative enterprise, especially the section between Canton and Kong:
A disastrous earthquake causing extensive loss of life and immense damage, has occurred in the district moon Zealand. The centres of intensity of Hawkes Bay, North Island, Now were the towns of Napier and Hastings, which have a combined population of about 30,000.
Only one acroplane has bean chartered for the service at the beginning. It will leave Canton for Chungshan early in the morning of every odd day, enlling at Kong moon, and on the morning of every even day it will leave Chungshan
FORMER PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER.
{THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY }
SHANGHAI, Feb. 4.
Sun Pao Chi, aged 64 years, who had been in failing health during the past three months, died to-day. After being Chinese Minister in Germany and France during the Ching dynasty, he became Premier and Foreign Minister under the Republican régime.
The deceased statesman is aur vived by six sons and 16 daughters.
MAGISTRATE OF CHUNGSHAN.
TANG SHAO YI APPOINTED.
(PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
KWANGSI. PEACE SETTLEMENT.
IS GENERAL WONG SHAO HUNG A PRISONER?"
-(Wah Tai Tai Pao.)
POLICE
· EXCESSES IN INDIA.
ALLEGED
GANDHI INVITES ATTEN-
TION OF VICEROY.
[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY,]
ALLAHABAD, Feb. 4, Gandhi has despatched a letter
SHANGHAI, Feb. 4. The fact that the Kwangsi robels, Li Taung Jen and Pei Chung Hai to the Viceroy, according to the and the "Ironside" leader, Chang newspaper Leader, urging on official Fat Fui, do not agree to the pro inquiry into certain instances of posed terms for the peaceful settle-alleged police excessos which call ment of the Kwangsi situation with for "test cases."
The Leader understands that if the Nanking Government, and bavo consequently taken military action the Viceroy agrees to the inquiry against the Central Government Gandhi will interpret the action as troops and some Kwangsi troops a genuine pence grature and take which are supporting General Wong steps to persundo Congress to take Shao Hung and Wu Ting Tang advantage of Mr. Ramsay Mae- (peace delegates to Nanking), is Donald's offer.
causing considerable ngitation among the Nanking leaders re- garding the futility or otherwise of continuing the peace СОПУСТЕЛ tions" with the Kwangsi delegatea. It is reported that Marshal CANTON, Feb. 4. Chiang Kai Shek has decided to the military campaign. Mr. Tang Shao Yi, Chairman of resume the Committee on Political Tutolage against the Kwangsi rebels, and is for Chungahan district, was ap. intending to appoint General Chen pointed by the Provincial Council Tsai Tong to lead the campaign.
Meanwhile, rumours., are in cir of Kwangtung at ita regular meet- ing yesterday Magistrate of Chung-culation alleging that strict vigil- ahan, or the so-called model district ance is being maintained over the in China, to succeed Mr. Wong Kui personal movements of General So, who resigned.
SUBMARINE X-1 DISASTER.
MISHAP DURING TRIALS IN THAMES ESTUARY,
{THROUGH BEUTER'S AGENCY.]
LONDON, Feb. 3. Six naval ratings were injured to-day, and have been sent to hos Wong Shao Hung in Nanking. pital sufforing mostly from burns, In na interview with Chinese as the result of an explosion in the Pressmen, General Wong Shao engine-mom of the X-1, which is Britai's largest submarine, and Hung said that he had not been one of the biggest in the world. Foreign Affairs of the Chinose kept informed of the sudden belli- Government. He is at present in gerent notion taken by the Kwangsi Anyhow, before Shanghai un business, but a tele-military leaders.
Mr. Tang is a native of Chung- shan and is well known in diplo. matic circles, having boen Minister
for Canton, stopping at Kongmoon gram has been sent to him, urging complete settlement of the Kwang as before. The fare from Canton him to return to Kwangtung to si problem he would not leave
$12.50, and from Canton to Chung-his earliest convenience.
LATER.
The X-1 was carrying out trials in the Thames Estuary when the mishap occurred.
One of her engines was partially wrecked and she returned to Chat- ham on one engine.
Twelve Ratings Injured.
Many deaths were caused by the falling of buildings and the fires which speedily broke out. "Hardly a chimney is standing
The casualties are feared to between Napier and Waipukurau " (n distance of over 40 miles) are
number hundreds, but reliable esti- the words of a journalist who man
mates so far are unavailable.
The shock occurred at 10.50 this nged to get through to Napier, one being extricated unhurt and morning (local time) and continued to Kongmoon has been fixed at inke up the newly-offered post at Nanking. which indienio the extent of the another with his legs and back for a considerable period, estimated
at two hours. havoc, the repair of which will be a
Napier and Hastings were laid mammoth undertaking.
in ruins, houses and bridges fall ing, landslides sweeping away rail- ways, telegraph and telephone lines boing, torn down, while some of the shipping in Napier Harbour was pull, an imposing cliff at of 50 per cent. is allowed on news. damaged by a violent tidal wave. each entty of goods, but a discount publicity has been given in the Jen and Chang Fat Fui to retire air, which had been prepared in the Napier, foll into the BEL and Rangiaiki River was blocked by the papers, landslides.
shan $15. In addition to carrying Mr. Tang is one of the prime passengers the acroplasia will also movers of the scheme for the de take on mail and a certain amount volopment of Tang Ka Wan into a of freight. The freight rate has world duty-free-port to be known na Chungshan Port, of which much Preas. But whether or not the
Scanty News of Calamity.. Heartrending Tragedies.
WELLINGTON, Feb. 3. Large crowds are anxious waiting Some of the individual tragedies outside newspapers offices for news, which is still very scanty owing to are heartrending.
the dislocation of the telephone and telegraph services.·'
been fixed at 25 conta por li for LATER.
Nine girls were, buried alive ne the result of the collapse of a drapery store at Hastings,
The roof fell on the scholars and tonchers in the Technical School of Napier, many being killed.
.
The night staff were sleeping when tho Nurses' Homa foil like a house of cards at Napier. Many were buried, and others dashed heroically into the tumbling build ing to bring the patients out of the warda. Many were caught through the crashing of the walls.
course
The grandstands of the local race- were hastily transformed into temporary hospitals,
One of the victims is a telegraph. ist, Fred McArthur, aged 54, who survived, the Boer War and Great War.
Owing to the choos prevailing in Napier, the people are arriving here from the stricken seaport,
"Hundreda Were Killed." They say it is impossible to esti- mate the dend, but all agree that "hundreds were killed."
Some fear that the total will reach four figures.
Evacuation of Napler Ordered.
LATER.
According to the latest reports, the Roman Catholic Seminary at Greon Meadows collapsed, two, priests and eight students being killed,
The railway tunnel at Wairoa col lapsed. ·
The workmen in the tunnel mar. vellously escaped.
The seabed in Napier harbour has risen 18 inches,
Even small launches are unablo to enter the inner harbour.
[BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE]
RUGBY, Feb. 4. Although no official estimate of the deaths in the New Zealand earthquake has yet been made, it is feared that considerably over 100
loat their lives..
Practically all the deaths occur. red in the port of Napier and in Hastings, an inland town 1. few miles to the south.
Although the shock was felt over most part of the North Island its full severity was confined to the Hawkes Bay area.
Napier and Hastings present a scene of terrible desolation.
In Napier such few buildings that have survived the shock were so damaged that it has been necessary to dynamite them to prevent col lapse, and fires which broke out are stated to have involved large oil tanks near the harbour.
to
The first help which came Napier was from H.M. sloop Vero A general order was issued to-nica, whose Captain promptly. Jnnd.
night ordering the evacuation of Napier within two daya.
The sewerage system has failed, and the authorities fear a serious outbreak of disease if the inhabit
ants remain.
Tremors are still being experi enced.
Whole families are camping in the gardens or on the wayside through
out the affected area.
Water Cut Of Simultaneously with the outbreak of fire in the towns all water sup
pligs wers cut off by the breaking
of the mains.
The naval sloop Veronica, which was in Napier Harbour, was first stranded by the recoding sea and then refloated by a huge wave, Her Captain, Commander H. C. Morgan, immediately landed, taking relief parties to the stricken town and assuming charge of the rescue work. He found many parts of the town blazing fiercely and practically all stone and brick buildings destroy- ed.
There
were heavy casualties among the populace, which was stunned by the disaster.
With assistance from other vessels, he organised temporary hos pitals and food depots and where possible shelter for the homeless, many most needy refugees being taken aboard the Veronica and ather shipping.
scheme is a feasible one remains to be seen. There has of late been much opposition directed against
This will bring the number of air lines in operation in Kwangtang up to two. Other air lines, such as it. the proposed (Canton-Swatowi Air Service and the Canton-Hoihow Air Service, are being considered.
LONG-DISTANCE FORMA- TION FLIGHT.
ENGLAND-BASHA EXPERI MENTAL ROUTE.
(BEITISH WIRELESS SERVICE]
RUGBY, Feb. 4. Three Royal Air Force "Ran- goon Flying Boats," the first of the military type of the "Short Cal- cutta," will make a formation fight
BASIC WAGE REDUCTION
IN AUSTRALIA.
APPLICATION FOR POSTPONEMENT,
[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
MELBOURNE, Feb. 4 The Attorney-General, Mr. Bren- nan, has filed a further affudivit in the Arbitration Court in tion with the application for the postponement of the basic wage reduction of 10 per cent.
connec.
Plan to Maintain National Solvency.
It is said the Government is en- gaged on the details of a plan to tain national solvency.
In an interview with Chinese Pressmon, General Wong Shao Hung declared that the Press re- port alleging the disinclination of Generals Pei Chung Hei, Li Toung
was not true.
He also said that the Central Government did not believe in the report of any new development.
LATER The authorities at Chathan Dock-
doing engine triale on the surface yard state that the X-1 was only and the use of the explosion is still unknown.
It was possibly due to compressed engine-room for torpedo propa!-
sion.
Twelve ratings were injured, two of them seriously.
BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE] Cause of Explosion. Information elicited from local) Chinese sources affirms that the
Ruaar, Fcb. & Kwangei moderate elements in the
The Admiralty, announcing the South have sent a telegram to the accident aboard the X-1, states that Nanking Government asking if the explosion occurred in the crank- there is any truth in the rumour case of the port main engine, now in `circulation alleging the caused by a temporary minus of a virtual detention of General Wong
piston. Shao Hung
ANTI-NANKING MOVEMENT.
INTENTION TO INVADE SHENSI
(Wah To: Fat Pao.)
SHANGHAI, Feb. 4, The formation of an anti-Nanking movement by the Szechuan mili tary generals, including Liu Wen
Six ratings were serionaly injur ad and six suffered minor injuries,
WORLD'S LAND SPEED RECORD.
YESTERDAY'S ATTEMPT
...ABANDONED..
[REVIER'S AMERICAN BERVICE.]
NEW YORK, Feb. 3.
from Felixstowe to Basra, a dis. reduce unemployment and to main- Fei and Tan Chung Yao, with Wu Florida, to-day, that owing to poor
tance of 3,500 miles, leaving Eng- land within a week.
DO-X ENCOUNTERS FURTHER MISHAP. DEPARTURE FROM CANARY 18LANDS DELAYED: (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
LONDON, Feb. 3, Tho Dornier DO-X, the world's biggest flying-boot, has met with another mishap, which may delay her departure from thas Canary islands for some little time.
In Hastings, 20 miles from Napier, similar conditions prevailed and the casualties are believed to be heavy.
The flight is in accordance with Gisborne is also stated to have suffered, but it is believed that no the normal methods by which sea appreciable damage occurred in dis-planes proceed to their foreign. tricts other than parts of Hawkes stations. On arrival they will re- Bay.
lieve the three Northampton flying British Orulsors to Rescue.
boats of No. 203 Squadron, which Immediately radio messages from will be flown home in formation. Napier were received help was
The "Rangoons" are fitted with rushed to Hawkes Bay area by three "Bristol Jupiter Engines"! land, sea, and air.
The cruisers Dunedin and Dio- cach, and that reliance is placed on ed with all available naval ratings mede, with doctors, nurses, medical them is demonstrated in the choice and speedily organised relief
They will fly overland parties with the aid of officers and stores and food, left Auckland, 376 250 miles from Bordeaux to Mar men from British merchant ships miles distant, at full speed and warseilles and again in two stages
Failing to talon off from the har in harbour, which have been ex-reach Hawkes Bay early to-morrow from Alexandretta to Basra, aligat
ing at Baghdad, on the Tigris. bour at Puerto Lug, the great tensively supplemented by the New morning. Zealand Government and the local Commanding the New Zealand Malta and Crete is experimental mane 14 miles away, where a long Commodore Geoffrey Blako, Officer The Mediterranean route vid machine taxied to Cando Bay, authorities in the North Island:
with a view to testing the possibili-run was possible Removal of Seriously Injured, Squadron, is in Dunedin. Although many roads in the
ties of an alternative to the land
The DOX again failed to ascend sections of the Indian Air Mail from the water." neighbourhood, are cracked
between London and Athens. bridges, down, all those seriously injured in both Napier and Hast ings have been evacuated through the night, and the routes are alive with transport,
•
and
King's Bympathy.
The King has sent a cablegram expressing the deepest sympathy with the bereaved and sufferers.
the Dominions Secretary, Mr. J. I. In the House of Common's to-day. Thomas, said:"I am sure. the Thousands of Refugees. House would wish to join in ex- pressing our deep sympathy with Several thousand refugees left the Dominion and our fellow sub- the district, where minor shocks jects therein on the loss of life and have continued to occur intermit- suffering. I have already telegraph- terely, and food and shelter is being ed the Governor-General express supplied to these by the publicing the sympathy of His Majesty's. authorities.
Government in the United King
offroute.
LANCASHIRE COTTON
STOPPAGE.
It was later learned that the machine bad strained her internal structure and is returning to Puer to Luz for overhaul.,
Checking Fites by Dynamite,
LATER Commodore Geoffrey Blake, who
ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFIC. is ashore at Napier, has wirelessed
NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUING. the naval base requesting the des
WITHDRAWAL OF LICENCES (BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE) patch of all available demolition
URGED. stores to blow up buildings and check the path of the flames which
Ruasy, Feb. 4. Negotiatione to end the stoppage {THROUGH HEUTER'S AGENCY.] are still raging in the town-
Five Moth aeroplanes are taking!
GENEVA, Feb. 3. Palice, Red Cross and Volunteersdom, and asked him to keep us in the cotton industry are continu
ing, and although the meeting yès- chlorinating platit and experts to are still engaged searching the informed of the position as fully asterday of employers and the unions, The League Opium Committee Napier to perform disinfection," débris for bodies.
possible.""
to which the Prime Minister ad to-day passed a rosolution urging Two British cruisers Dunedin end WELLINGTON, Feb. 3.
dressed a letter urging an early the withdrawal of the licence of still accar Diomede are expected to arrive at
I settlement had no result, hope is any firm engaged in the manufte Australian Government has also.
the Weavers' Union, which meets be involved in the illicit traffic, offered a warship.
on Saturday, will authorise the The resolution will be forward- men's leaders to enter a new dis-ed to the Governments concerned cussion on the basis of the Govern with a requcat for a decision before ment suggestion of an extended the Assembly of the league meets trial of the more looms per weaver in May for the conference on the
limitation of manufacture.
Farizonaks.. Ting count of ronditions in Napier, wire- lessed late to-night by the Com. mander of H.M.S. Veronics, who adds: I have just returned from inspecting. Napier. Practically all the stone and brick buildings, are destroyed many are blazing furious
The New Zealand Cabinet Minis- ters are directing relief work on the spot, and the Premier's appeal for Gusacial paid is meeting with mediate response.
(Continued on next Column †
Shock Recorded at Kaw
The shock was recorded at Kew Observatory, 12,000 miles distant.
Hawkes Bay in on the East of North Island.
The district is mainly agricultural and Napier exports large quantities of wool and frozen meat:
system.
Pei Fu to be selected as their head, has become more pronounced, They have issued a declaration out lining their purpose for raising the standard against Nanking.
Judging from their military acti vities, it is evident that they are intending to invade Shensi
(Wah Tez Yat Pao.)
CANTON, Feb. 4. Generals Li Tsung Jes, Pei Chung Hai and Chang Fat Fui aro organizing a War Council, of which they are to be members. This is an indication that they are taking a step forward in their anti-Nan king movement...
It was learned from Daytona, visibility and a strong wind, Capt. Malcolm Campbell, the British raving motorist, will not make his attempt on the land speed record to-day.
→
(BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE)
Ruony, Feb. 4. Captain Malcolm Campbell esti mated his speed at one point in the trial run yesterday on Daytona Beach at 200 miles an hour.
Owing to adverse conditions. ho did not make an official attempt on the world's speed record, but during an exhibition run he covered the measured mile at 104 miles an hour, casting in neutral after the gear elipping.RAMES
Becoming alarmed by this deve- Measures to prevent a recurrenės. lopment, a circular telegram is of a gear slip may further delig bodies of the Kwei District, Kwang- the record. jointly issued by all the public his making an official attempt on ai, urging the belligerent rebels to lay down their arms in the interest of the Kwangsi people, but it is not believed that at this critical time any appeal for peace, would. carry much weight.
"SINO-AMERICAN SHIPPING
TROOP-CARRYING PLANES
STORM-BOUND.
IA.F. FLIGHT FORCED DOWN,
[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCE]
PRETORIA, Feb,; 3.1. Two of the thrca R.A.F. Vickers- Victoria troop carrying aeroplanes, engaged on a flights from Cairo to the Cape and back, have arrivod horo alfely.
PROJECT,
NANKING GOVERNMENT CON. TEMPLATES FIVE ROUTES.
(Fah Tez Tat Pao.)
· A storm forced all throo machines NANKING, Feb. 4.. The Nanking Government is can to descend at Boshook yesterday, templating starting five mercantile and the third has temporarily ro navigation routes, with Shanghai, mained at Boshock owing to w
Weihaiwei Eg termini, at each off and sent to you and
which a navigation bureau/will be mands the flight, which is carrying-
Bi exercises in various parts of established
This plan is in connection with Africa on its way to the Cap
Euch of the fphane, in papable of the Robert Dollar Line's proposed. Sino-American Shipping Corpora carrying 28 fully armed Infantry- tion.