UNFORTUNATE NEWCASTLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2214, 18 October 1907, Page 2

UNFORTUNATE NEWCASTLE.

ANOTHER “CREEP.”

EXTENSIVE DAAIAGE,

United Press Association —Cop /right (Received Oct. 17, 9.34 n.m.) • SYDNEY, Oct, 17. A sensation was created at Newcastle to-day by the occurrence of an extensive creep in the residential part of the town known as “-the Hill.” During the early part of the -morning residents heard crunching movements underground, but were not alarmed, as such sounds are of frequent occurrence. To-day, however. the noise became more -pronounced, and great cracks opened out in several streets, the houses being shaken from foundation to roof. Numerous ceilings came down, brick walls cracked, and doors and windows were wrenched out of position. Nearly all the finest residences in the city are damaged. The area affected is about 15 acres in extent. Not- a. solitary room in the palatial residence of Air. J. R. AYoocl, known as “Jismord House,” escaped damage. Nearly every ceiling is down and every will cracked. It will cost be- • tween £7OOO and £BOOO to repair. A crack extends right- across the floor of the Anglican Cathedral from the eastern door to the baptistry. It was at first thought the creep was confined to “the hill,” but this afternoon it was discovered to have worked down the hill, reaching to -the lower end of King-street, one block away from the centre of the oitv. Burke’s new warehouse is seriously damaged, the concrete flooring being ripped up about a foot wide. The watermain burst, and gas is escaping in various places. It is feared the city water supply is endangered, both reservoirs being in the affected ■area.

The present- creep is adjacent to the one that occurred a year ago, but is much more serious, the damage already done totalling between £BOOO and £IO,OOO.