Story: Historic earthquakes

There was widespread damage throughout the Wairarapa region from the earthquakes of 24 June and 2 August, especially in shops and larger buildings. In this sound clip Constance 'Dickie' Budd describes the effect of the June earthquake in Martinborough, a small country town.

Transcript

Cupboards came open and all the everything on the floor and all the preserves broken, all the crockery broken. The dining room, all the crystals on the floor and broken. In the lounge, the bricks came down through the fireplace out in the middle. You just wheeled the barrow in and took everything out. Occasionally you'd find something unbroken underneath the rubble, but not very often.

Interviewer: Did you lose very many valuable pieces?

Yes, quite a lot of valuable pieces. Managed to save quite a few. Lost practically all the crystal. And Harry wouldn't buy anymore. If it's going to be broken, no.

Interviewer: How long did that earthquake go on for?

Oh it wasn't nearly as long as the Napier one. We had two or three more shakes. But then everybody was cooking outside with.. There was a camp, an army camp, Tauherenikau Race Course, and the army was sent over to clean up. So we had a bit of help there.

Interviewer: What time of the year was this earthquake?

That was in the middle of winter I think. It was June.

Interviewer: So it really must've disrupted people's lives: no heating, no cooking and so on

The power lines were down all round, you know, you had to be very careful where you went until the power was shut off, not that I went out. And it was always in the middle of the night that, that earthquake. And Harry went in his dressing gown of course round to round the corner, where the Chinaman shop is. Course the windows broken there and a whole lot of walnuts came out in the pavement and here he goes trying to skid around there on top of all that! Oh to hear people screaming all around the place terrified.