During the last few days New Zealand has remembered the Christchurch earthquake. Printed media, radio and television have been full of reminders. Though people who live in Christchurch won't need much reminding because of the personal memories they will carry for the rest of their lives.It is important that we - the people and our public institutions - don't forget this time. We have quickly forgotten earthquakes that ravaged North Canterbury since European settlement, and failed to learn the need to minimise earthquake risks to people and property.
Nobody alive today has any personal memory of the earthquakes that struck Cheviot over one hundred years ago, beginning with one estimated at 6.9 on the Richter scale on Saturday, 16 November 1901. But newspaper archives reveal stories that resonate today. Or should do. Because Cheviot is located amongst the same cluster of small faults that are causing earthquakes now in Christchurch ..
The First Week...
Issue 7255 of the Star, dated 16 November 1901, carried its first 3 stories about the first sequence of Cheviot earthquakes on page 5. It was a Saturday when the earthquake struck. It's worth remembering that over a hundred years ago, Cheviot was just being settled. Transport was rudimentary. Colonial life was hard. And telecommunications within New Zealand were sparse.
This posting provides links to almost 100 stories that were published in the Star over the next twelve months or so. The links take you to the original archives held in 'Papers Past' at the New Zealand National Library....
The first story was reported from Rangiora, a good distance from the epicentre. Another contains reports of 'great damage' from the Wellington Post Office which had been in communication with Cheviot Post Office...
"...It lasted several minutes. There is not a brick building or chimney left standing. The windows in many houses were shattered to atoms. One little child was killed by a falling house. The bakers' ovens are smashed to pieces and everything in the district is a complete wreck..."The day's third story is a Rangiora based interview with someone who had been in Cheviot and seen what happened.
Next Monday's Star, Issue 7256, 18 November 1901, carried seven stories on pages 3 and 4. The main story carries sub-headings: Fresh Shocks; Panic-stricken inhabitants; Preparing to leave... The other stories cover: Damage reports in Christchurch and tremor measurements; Drive through Cheviot damage reports; a wonderfully detailed account of damage in Cheviot; an 'Account of springs damage at Hanmer', a quaint account of Magnetograph measurements; and a detailed report of 'earthquake cause and locality by Captain Hutton curator Chch Museum'.
Issue 7257 on the Tuesday following carried 10 stories, including a front page story reporting an average of 3 or 4 earthquakes per hour for the 24 hours following the first major earthquake. It also describes people living under flax bushes because of damage to their homes. The other stories include: a detailed account of Seismograph records in Wgtn ; an Editorial headed: Righteous Object - calling for community support drawing attention to the suffering but noting 'the government cannot do everything'; there is also a long and detailed account of the damage which refers to photos in the current Canterbury Times publication. More nitty gritty stories include: Some settlers destitute. Relief fund; and further accounts of 'Large aftershocks. Nerves strung out...'; a public relief fund emerges 'Public fund from community'; and a constructive 'Suggestion of school used for children sleeping'. The Star carries Capt Hutton again on 'Source of Equake. Size etc'. Hutton is reported as saying, "Canterbury people should be prepared for such shocks in future... they have come before, and are practically certain, sooner or later, to come again.... it is therefore of the utmost importance that every precaution should be taken to minimise the danger to life and property..."
The story was still big in Wednesday's Issue 7258 with 7 stories. Interestingly there is an account about the Cheviot earthquake pictorial issue of the Canterbury Times being sold out and a reprint ordered and advertised. A hopeful mood is reflected in one headline 'only two small shocks in the night'... Another story is of Exodus from Cheviot children and ladies taking the train to Christchurch, a sympathy message from West Australia's premier is published. However the peace and quiet is rather contradicted by another story 'the shock very much upset the women folk....' (which continues here.). The largest story is an account of the visit to Cheviot of the Hon W Hall-Jones - presumably a government Minister. This story includes graphic accounts of damage, and reports that the Government has ordered all its stock of tents to be brought to Cheviot to house homeless people.
Thursday's Star, Issue 7259, only carries 3 stories. But the page 1 story describes the public meeting held in Cheviot with the Minister is very detailed. What emerges in the story is that settlers were very worried that Government might not continue to support extension of rail into Cheviot. Reading between the lines there is concern from settlers - many of them farmers - that their investments would be affected if Government did not ensure good transport links. The views of settlers are reported, as is the Minister's response and promises related to the railway and earthquake relief support. The story ends with reports of a sharp earthquake. A short story headlines: Several sharp shocks, and reports on the continuing exodus of families to Christchurch.
Friday's Star, Issue 7260, contains another advertisement for the next issue of the Canterbury Times, describing the photos to be seen therein. The main story covers: Personal stories with families on Train. "The Fugitives". Reporters had access to refugees arriving to Christchurch. A brief headline reports more disturbances at Cheviot. The euphemism of the day it seems.
Saturday's Star, Issue 7261, dated 23 November 1901, carries 9 articles and advertisements - including another one for the pictorial issue of Canterbury Times. The main story appears to be the one headlined 'More Shocks at Cheviot - Severe Thunderstorm'. Gales and storms added insult to injury to families now living in tents. Some further detail is found in this reporting of aftershocks, and children leaving. It appears that on Saturday, the Star runs a column 'The Week'. This one contains a couple of jokes about the earthquake. Bit on the nose. One was this poem:
But when our houses fall,
upon the slipping land - we seem,
to have no "hold" at all!
And when a yawning fissure comes,
across a tenement,
there is no doubt we have to bear,
A Very Unfair Rent...'
Another story gives an account of a public meeting held in Christchurch City Council about the earthquake and about funding. While another describes damage to schools in the area, especially to chimneys - but not tin ones!
Week Two...
Monday, 25 November 1901. Issue 7262 of the Star carried 4 stories, one of which was about the next issue of Canterbury Times pictorial coverage. Two others were about continuing aftershocks. While a large story 'Facts and Theories' about earthquakes covered a lecture given by WW Collins ion the Lyceum.
Tuesday, 26 November 1901. Issue 7263 of the Star carried just a single story. This covered an account from a Christchurch man claiming the Cheviot earthquake reports had been 'exaggerated' and were 'sensational'. These exaggerations were denied.
Issue 7264, published Wednesday 27 November, describes a 'very bad shock'....and mentions that most residents are still sleeping in the open air...
Thursday's Star - 28 November - contains a graphic personal account reported from a Cheviot 'lady settler'. And a story about a further slight shock and tremors.
Friday's Star reports more shocks in a story where someone blames the moon for the 'disturbances'.
Saturday's Star reports on three more 'slight' shocks and lists Relief Fund receipts.
Week Three...
Monday, 2 December 1901. Issue 7268 of the Star carries a single story. Another shock. No details. You sense that Cheviot is far enough away from Christchurch for this story to be getting a bit stale...
Wednesday's Star is all about the Christchurch Cathedral - which had been damaged by the first Cheviot earthquake (see letter also) - the story indicates that as much as possible of the spire would be pulled down and rebuilt for 'safety reasons'...
The story in Friday's Star headlines 'further disturbances...'
Saturday's Star, in 'The Week' carries another earthquake joke. And announces that the Premier, Mr Seddon is 'in town' and will visit Cheviot.
Week Four...
Monday, 9 December 1901. Issue 7274 of the Star runs a small story about the price of bread in Cheviot hitting 8 pence a loaf because the earthquake so seriously damaged bakers' bread ovens.
Tuesday's Star is all about the Premier's visit to Cheviot. The report details his speech. He apparently spoke for three hours. Covered the rail issue - with some delicacy. He said he'd been much struck by settler comments, who told him they were gratified that the disaster had not fallen on a 'thickly populated place like Christchurch - where the result would have been awful...' There's a human interest story about him having to climb out a window because the door was jammed shut by an earthquake. And there's a small story about the Relief Fund.
Friday's Star carries a story about two more heavy shakes and drizzle.
Saturday's Star, dated 14 December, carries an Editorial about Anniversary day. It dwells on the earthquakes and how they have 'ruthlessly destroyed the fruits of settlers' labour'....
Week Five...
Tuesday, 17 December 1901. Star reports a 'violent shock and tremors'....
Week Six...
Monday, 23 December 1901. Issue 7285 of the Star carries a story about how the Relief Fund will work. How Government will match each pound donated, with 24 shillings, once donations hit the 1000 pound mark....
Tuesday's Star celebrates the donations hitting 1000 pounds....
Saturday's Star, dated 28th December (Christmas has come and gone), carries an 'Anglo-Colonial Notes' story which alludes to a London loan investing in the colony, and worries about the earthquake, and generally seems to dangle the colony...
Week Seven...
Tuesday, 31 December 1901. The end of the year. The dying year editorial marks the earthquake. This story gives a good sense of what else was happening across the colony and in the world at the time.
Friday, 3 January 1902. Issue 7292 of the Star reports a Severe shock at Cheviot. Booming all night. Tremors. New chimneys down (but not the tin ones).
Saturday, 4 January 1902. The Postmaster's report notes further tremors.
February, 1902...
Star , Issue 7318, 3 February 1902, Page 3. Postmaster reports 'very sharp shock and boom'
Star , Issue 7325, 11 February 1902, Page 3. Local and General news that railway works at Cheviot have been halted. Meetings held. Resolutions passed.
Star , Issue 7327, 13 February 1902, Page 1. Front page story. Detailed account of visit to Cheviot by 'The Governor' (Governor General?). He talks rail. But you sense the Government plug being gently pulled....
Star , Issue 7327, 13 February 1902, Page 2. A Local and General roundup includes comments from Cheviot settler, who is reported saying that pulling the rail project will cause more damage than the earthquake....
Star , Issue 7327, 13 February 1902, Page 3. Story notes new shock, and that Govt has put up 1500 pounds as its share of relief fund.
Star , Issue 7330, 17 February 1902, Page 1. This is very full 'Cheviot revisited' story. Describes before and after, and what's happening on the ground....
Star , Issue 7330, 17 February 1902, Page 3. Story reports on account of Cheviot earthquake by Government Geologist.
March, 1902...
Star , Issue 7343, 4 March 1902, Page 2. Story reports more thoughts of Captain Hutton on Origins and Causes of Cheviot earthquakes.
Star , Issue 7353, 15 March 1902, Page 1. A rather odd story about volcanoes and liquefaction.
Star , Issue 7358, 21 March 1902, Page 3. Sir Joseph Ward visits Cheviot and is shown over the wreck of Mansion House.
May, 1902...
Star , Issue 7394, 5 May 1902, Page 4. Odd story about rumours of booming and quakes that didn't happen.
Star , Issue 7399, 10 May 1902, Page 5. Local and General story reports 'sharp shock' at Cheviot.
July, 1902...
Star , Issue 7450, 10 July 1902, Page 2. This substantial story reports a government geologist 'pamphlet' on the 'seismic disturbances at Cheviot' and contains extracts from it about the origins of the Kaikouras.
August, 1902...
Star , Issue 7437, 22 August 1902, Page 2. The Editorial praises the Children's Aid Society, and notes its role during the Cheviot earthquakes.
September, 1902...
Star , Issue 7503, 10 September 1902, Page 3. Story reports, 'no less than six sharp shocks and loud booms'.... headline states: 'settlers alarmed...'
And that was the year of earthquakes for Cheviot and its settlers a little over a hundred years ago.
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